ADF 461's
I have just returned from Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific headquarters in Melbourne after viewing the first 9 of the 1200 461's to be delivered. This gaggle of G's be handed over to the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) this month and at the moment they are going through a final QA process to ensure the ADF's requirements have been met. There were at least 4 6x6's in both single and double cab format, a couple of 4x4 wagons and the rest were 4x4 Cab Chassis. unfortunately I was not able to take photos but let me tell you these things look amazing. Quite a few subtle changes from the 6x6 I drove last year and I've got to say that a Wagon and a 6x6 double cab chassis will be my choice (when the numbers drop!).
I will save the details for the next G'ocentric which is due out next month. I will also be reporting briefly on the Medium/Heavy part of the tender, the outcome of which, is still unannounced. MB put up the U5000 Unimog, the Zetros in 1833 (4x4) and 2733 (6x6) format, Plus the Actros 4151 (8x8) so lets hope the match the G-Wagen's success.
Once again many thanks to the Project Overlander Team at MB Aus/Pac for inviting me out
John
Any pics
Thanks for the update.
Will be interesting when you do get allowed to post pics as I've never seen a 6x6 single cab chassis. Also were the cabriolets SWB or LWB like the Scandinavian Gs?
And thanks for ordering those Gs so that Graz was spurred back into RHD production!
Hi Maxwell,
I think that this may be a a difference in terminology - sorry about that - here in Australia we call the 4 door hardtop utility a double cab and a 2 door cab chassis is a 2 door hardtop - in fact at this point I believe that all but the special recon. vehicles will be hardtop.
My article in the next AGOA Newsletter will highlight some of the differences such as the new door mounted rear vision mirrors; 2 fuel tanks across the range - total of 135 litres I think; and more.
John
135 litres.... can you imagine the anger of the growing line behind you when at the pumps and just how much lighter your wallet will feel?
135 litres.... can you imagine the anger of the growing line behind you when at the pumps and just how much lighter your wallet will feel?
Nope - get it all the time! :lol:
Spider1V
Many thanks John for the info. Much appreciated. Let's wait for those pictures soon!
Thanks for the update.
Will be interesting when you do get allowed to post pics as I've never seen a 6x6 single cab chassis. Also were the cabriolets SWB or LWB like the Scandinavian Gs?
And thanks for ordering those Gs so that Graz was spurred back into RHD production!
Er... was it not a 6x6 single cab chassis what we saw in Graz during our last visit there?
That one is actually called an extra (probably xtra) cab due to the cab being slightly extended past the back seats.
John
Is it true that these are not 6x6 but 4x6 as the last axle is for load bearing only and has no drive. Seems a missed oportunity if it is the case.
It is 6x6. The third axle is driven. The output shaft comes directly from the second reardiff. They are locked together.
It is 6x6. The third axle is driven. The output shaft comes directly from the second reardiff. They are locked together.
That's good news then.
Has anyone got any pictures of the double cab version. Thanks.
As this has now been released as a Press Release I can now show you a photo of some of the vehicles I got to look at. You will probably be able to see the two fuel fillers, side protection bars etc.
Watch for my report in G'ocentric this month.
John
Please see press statement yday from Merc Australia and lovely pics on link :D
When asked whether a civilian version of the G-Wagon could be heading Australia’s way, Mr Fadeyev, Manager of Corporate Communications at Mercedes-Benz Australia, said the wheels were definitely in motion.
“It is inching closer, I can confirm that,†Mr Fadeyev said.
“We are looking at potentially launching sometime in the fourth quarter of this year, with deliveries possibly starting in late 2010 or early 2011.â€Â
:D
Sorry JMKOZ I realised that you have been covering this story for some time now after posting :D
Mmm I want ? That one !
Wagon?
WAGON???
bloody Aussies
(From the title in the link)
But yes I too am in love/lust
Unfortunately, even the brochures from MB are calling it a G-Wagon. As you can see from my avatar - that does not necessarily please me!
And yes that is my real registration plate and even better it cost me nothing thanks to a kind AGOA Member - but we digress!
Bring back G-Wagen!!!
John
It is 6x6. The third axle is driven. The output shaft comes directly from the second reardiff. They are locked together.
This is correct. See third diff in this picture:
and extremely cumbersome second diff in this one:
Some models are really orgasmic!
Sweet! :)
The photographer here is superb. The use of a long lens makes the five-door, I mean six-door, look so chunky. Allowing for the bullbar, it still looks different to the G PUR photo' I've seen. Wider tyres?
And their estimated service life is ... I bet there's quite a few down-under who are looking forward to these being sold on.
The use of a long lens makes the five-door, I mean six-door, look so chunky.
And their estimated service life is ... I bet there's quite a few down-under who are looking forward to these being sold on.
Hi Rick, you were right the first time. It is actually fitted with a single rear door. It has a swingaway tyre carrier and a 20L Fuel can mounted where the spare tyre would normally be on a 5 door (actually the holder for the fuel can is bolted straight through the middle of the standard door hinges). There is a 15 year service contract with an option for extension. We won't be seeing these available for sale for a while!
The LR guys here are champing at the bit to get their hands on the LR Perentie 6 Wheel Drives when they hit the market after the G's are rolled out.
John
John, your posting on the Aus. G-wagen web-site is worth repeating here -
An interesting thing to note on the ADF vehicles shown here is that the paint system in Austria is obviously computerised as these Auscam vehicles all have the same colours in the same places - obviously their is extra stuff on the wagon than on the single cab but the colour changes are all in the same basic spots - random pattern?
Well spotted.
John, your posting on the Aus. G-wagen web-site is worth repeating here -
Quote:An interesting thing to note on the ADF vehicles shown here is that the paint system in Austria is obviously computerised as these Auscam vehicles all have the same colours in the same places - obviously their is extra stuff on the wagon than on the single cab but the colour changes are all in the same basic spots - random pattern?
Well spotted.
That's an observing eye!
Obviously the ELBO-assembled Gs are by contrast hand-painted:
Excuse me guys, but they both look to have one pattern per country.
Perhaps the difference is, one is painted by an Austrian hand while the other in Greek :D forgive the pun - no offence intended to either!
Jesus, where are the RHD's from...middle set of snaps? Cyprus? UK G's?
Ta
Greek army, assembled near Thessaloniki:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mortinson3/ELBOFactory#
OHHHHHHHH! Can I get one of those please? Very Very nice
Spider1V - C&W Brigade
Greek army, assembled near Thessaloniki:
Thanks....any idea who they were assembled for? The Cypriot army?
Hello there!
They assemble them from CKD (completely knocked down?) kits for the Greek army, and apparently sold some to Cyprus (only 250?), again according to Jesus:
http://mercedesgwagen.galeon.com/familia677285.html
Hello there!
They assemble them from CKD (completely knocked down?) kits for the Greek army, and apparently sold some to Cyprus (only 250?), again according to Jesus:
http://mercedesgwagen.galeon.com/familia677285.html
Correct. The RHD units were part of a batch of 250 units ordered by the Cypriot military
Thanks Jesus, was this a long time ago?
Are we ever likely to see them available?
Roll on Cypriot decommissioning!!
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No Pics. They didn't want me to gazump the ADF's press machine. They may send me some official shots from the press handover in Austria.
John