Paying the price of power

When it comes to bushwhacking credentials few vehicles carry more kudos than the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Germany's answer to the Land Rover Defender, the Geländewagen was originally envisioned to service selected military forces back in the 1970s. Rough, tough and rugged, it then went on to hit the motoring mainstream in 1979 after Mercedes released a less hardcore version that Joe Public could actually stick inside his garage.

Needless to say, it caused an absolute sensation and quickly became the ultimate off-road status symbol. Even those too terrified to get their Timberland boots dirty - rappers like Puff Daddy - snapped them up, smitten with those imposing looks.

Special model

Anyway, once the exclusive preserve of the Northern Hemisphere, Mercedes-Benz has just decided to make the G-Class available to South African customers.

A special right-hand drive model that's already sold out in showrooms until July, you can choose one of three model configurations tailored to appeal to the tastes of very different target markets.

And kicking things off is the entry-level G300 CDI Professional. A no-nonsense package that spits in the face of luxury, this is the one to buy if you're a proper balls-to-the-wall off-road enthusiast.

Defined on the outside by a set of 16-inch steel wheels, raised snorkel air-intake and the deletion of all unnecessary body kit, it sports an equally stark interior with design cues and finishes that wouldn't be out of place inside a Leopardbattle tank.

Seriously, shipping sans a radio and equipped with the sort of heavy manual switchgear last seen inside cars of the 1980s, it makes even the Land Rover Defender seem plush.

Fortunately, where it matters most, the Professional really does pull out all the stops by offering permanent four-wheel drive; no less than three separate differential locks; a low-range transfer case and a turbocharged diesel engine (135kW/400Nm) that muscles out a massive amount of lowdown grunt.

Complemented by 213mm of ground clearance and some savage approach and departure angles (36°/ 31° respectively), the G300 CDI has the potential to conquer almost any terrain.

I got to grips with it across the Namibian outback this week and it obliterated everything from dunes to dongas with ease.

Though undeniably competent across the rough stuff, I also found the G300 Professional surprisingly easy to drive thanks to its shock-absorbing suspension setup, well-weighted power steering and smooth five-speed automatic gearbox. Most cars of this ilk are a real nightmare to pilot, so for Mercedes to work in this level of drivability is no mean feat.

Unfortunately, despite its cool retro lines and storming off-road performance, the asking price of this butch Benz, in my opinion, seems unreasonably high - especially when you start comparing it to cheaper and better appointed rivals.

For while the R773990 needed to splurge on the no-thrills G300 CDI won't be enough to deter steadfast enthusiasts, I certainly think the price tag adorning the more luxurious and powerful (155kw/ 540Nm) G350 CDI BlueTec will.

Luxury option

Utilising the same mechanical underpinnings, this model ups the ante with all the luxury extras that already come standard on less expensive 4x4s.

Sure it's great to have the added goodness of a Harmon Kardan Logic 7 sound system; some cup holders; leather-wrapped dashboard; auto climate control; alloy wheels; cruise control and heated leather seats, but not for the astronomical sum of R1227140. That's Range Rover money.

And let's not mention the rather pointless G55 AMG that's going for R1875100. Ouch!

The pick of the range must be the G300 CDI Professional. Staying true to its workhorse forefathers that so proved their worth on the frontlines of the Cold War, it marries extreme durability to the sort of go-anywhere performance that serious members of the 4x4 community will appreciate.

Everything above this model just seems like a dilution of the breed; an unnecessary and overpriced marketing exercise designed to entice footballers and oil moguls with more money than sense.

No, keep it straight and simple and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a real off-road winner.

THE SPECS

Engine: 2987cc turbocharged V6 diesel (G300 CDI & G350), 5439cc supercharged V8 petrol (G55 AMG)

Power: 135kW at 3800rpm (G300 CDI), 155kW at 3400rpm (G350), 373kW at 6100rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1600 - 2600rpm (G300 CDI), 540Nm at 1600 - 2400rpm (G350), 700Nm at 2750 - 4000rpm (G55 AMG)

0-100km/h: 9.1 seconds (G300 CDI & G350), 5.5 seconds (G55 AMG)

Top Speed: 160km/h (G300 CDI), 175km/h (G350), 210km/h (limited G55 AMG)

Fuel Consumption: 11.7l/100km (combined G300 CDI), 11.2l/100km (combined G350), 15.9l/100km (combined G55 AMG)

CO2: 307g/km (G300 CDI), 297g/km (G350), 378g/km (C55 AMG)

Price: R773990 (G300 CDI), R1227140 (G350), R1875100 (G55 AMG)