MERCEDES BENZG-Klasse Cabrio (W463) 2012 - 2013

　　In 2012, Mercedes-Benz introduced another upgrade for its aging G-Class, four years after the previous one, enhancing the SUV’s exterior and interior.

　　The G-Class started its career in 1979 as a utilitarian-oriented vehicle, developed for army use and morphing into a civilian vehicle. Over the years, the car reached an iconic status, and many rich and famous customers craved one. In 2005, the company’s board upgraded the vehicle again and prepared it for the Euro 5 emission standards introduced in 2009. Then, in 2012, Mercedes-Benz repeated the procedure to make the SUV ready for the Euro 5b, which was due to enter in January 2013, and the Euro 6 that followed in September 2015. As a result, the G-Class had to be fitted with more safety systems and engines that could comply with these emission standards. However, the German automaker, besides the safety systems and the engine lineup, also considered improving the exterior and the cabins of these vehicles. The open-top version of the G-Class was one of the most expensive from the lineup, so it had to be garnished with all the bells and whistles to make it attractive for its deep-pocket customers.

　　At the front, the 2012 G-Class Convertible featured a new fascia that sported a three-slat grille with a large three-pointed badge in the middle. The round Xenon headlights were underlined by new LED bars for the daytime running lights, while on top of the front fenders, the automaker kept the same turn-signal/parking lights. Despite their rough look, with exposed screws, they were part of the SUV’s appeal. Lower, on the bumper, the 2012 G-Class Convertible featured oval-shaped fog lamps that doubled as cornering lights.

　　From its profile, the open-top version of the 2012 G-Class featured a pair of vents placed on the upper rear side of the front fenders on the left side and in the forward area for the right side, above the SUV’s waistline. As a classic detail, the car retained the grab-handle type doors and the black horizontal line that crossed the vehicle front to back. The automaker installed a new set of door mirrors that featured arrow-like turn signals pointing outward. Behind the door, the triangular-shaped B-post featured an integrated triangular window. It also concealed the safety arch that protected the occupants in the event of a rollover crash.

　　Inside, customers were welcomed by a rich-equipped cabin with leather seats and a redesigned dashboard. Fronting the driver was a new instrument cluster that featured a speedometer and a tachometer in individual clusters. Between them, the automaker placed a color TFT display that showed data from the car’s onboard computer. Above the center stack, the automaker placed a seven-inch screen for the COMAND infotainment system that supported Bluetooth connectivity. Mercedes-Benz integrated the controller for this unit on the center armrest placed between the front seats. In the back, there was still limited legroom for passengers who sat there. Still, at least they were protected thanks to the raised safety arches mounted on the outer area of the bench seat.

　　The 2012 G-Class Cabriolet was available with a 5.5-liter V8 gasoline engine. Mercedes-Benz paired it with a sixth-generation 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission fitted as standard that sent the power in all corners. The three locking differential and the two-speed transfer box remained in place, even though most customers didn’t ask for it. But it was part of the car’s heritage.

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