What's the news?
As far as we understand it, time is running out for Mercedes' august G-Class and so now we see the proliferation of the 'run-out' specials that are designed to shift the last units from showrooms.
We thought there could be nothing more, um, special than the Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet, which should really have been the final cataclysmic effort of the G-Class family, but instead we have two new variants: the Designo Manufaktur Edition (lower-case 'd' and 'm' on that, in official Benz-speak) and the Exclusive Edition.
Starting with the Designo Manufaktur Edition (DME), it comes as either a G 350 d or a G 500 petrol. This range has actually been available since the end of 2015 but there's now a refreshed offering, marked out by exterior design details - like the AMG five-spoke 19-inch alloys, side rubbing strip inserts, radiator grille louvres, exterior mirrors and the spare wheel cover - in black to contrast/complement (delete as applicable) the three Designo body colours of Magma Red, Mystic White and Obsidian Black.
Inside, the DME models wear contrast red topstitching on any of their cabin bits which are clothed in Black Designo Nappa leather, while the AMG steering wheel is also red/black. The seat belts are red, the trim finishers are black piano lacquer, there's a DME badge on the centre console and buyers also benefit from the Exclusive, Sport and Chrome Packages, which all bring in various desirable luxuries. The G 350 d will do 9.9 litres/100km (28.5mpg) and emit 261g/km CO2, while the G 500 is more profligate at 12.3 litres/100km (23mpg) and 289g/km CO2.
However, if you want proper profligacy, you need to check out the Exclusive Edition models. These are based on the demented Mercedes-AMG twins, the G 63 and the G 65, and feature a model-specific stainless steel underguard, AMG sport strips on the flanks, rubbing strip inserts in dark aluminium, the spare wheel cover in the same colour as the bodywork, and a choice of 21-inch alloy wheels depending on whether you go for the V8 63 (13.8 litres/100km, or 20.5mpg, with 322g/km CO2) or the V12 65 (17 litres/100km, or 16.6mpg, with 397g/km). There's also an exclusive paint colour of AMG Monza Grey Magno for the, er, Exclusive Edition. Presumably why it's exclusive. Yes.
Within, owners will enjoy a two-tone leather dashboard, accompanied by two-tone leather upholstery for the AMG sports seats, with a quilted pattern for all surfaces that are clad in hide. AMG Carbon or black Designo piano lacquer trim are offered, while options from Designo Manufaktur include the red seatbelts, leather-clad grab handles in the roof lining and a two-tone AMG Performance steering wheel to match the trim.
All models in the G-Class family, not just the DME and Exclusive cars, also benefit from Mercedes Me Connect standard and Remote Online services for the blocky SUV. These incorporate automatic emergency call (eCall), Accident Recovery, Breakdown Management and the customer service Mercedes Me Assist.
Anything else?
All four special edition variants of the G-Class go on sale from May 2 in their native Germany, with all prices comfortably into the six-figures bracket too... but fear not, such exciting expense is not expected to come here. Mercedes Ireland is not expected to bring any of the pricey DME or Exclusive Edition vehicles to our shores.