3-Series: UK launc
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1UR MODELS from the com-i ahensive Mercedes-Benz Gries (Gelandewagen) of "go-, hywhere" four-wheel-drive hides are now on sale in itain — nearly three years ice their introduction, reports, 'EVE GRAY
Designed to take on the Range Iver and Land-Rover, these St models to be imported are -ned at the top end of that mart. Two basic variants, each th a choice of short or long leelbase, are offered.
The 280 GE — top of the range has a 2.8-litre, fuel injected, (-cylinder petrol engine and stures such standard features automatic transmission, towir, tinted glass all round and )wer-assisted steering.
In short-wheelbase form it has io doors with four on the longheelbase version. The more ead and butter 300GD diesel odel — again with two or four )ors — features manual, four speed transmission, although it too has power-steering, heated rear window and towbar.
The diesel power comes from a five-cylinder, three litre engine used in Mercedes 300D and TD cars. Output for this unit is 65kW (88bhp) while the petrol produces 115kW (156bhp).
The vehicles all share a box section, ladder-type chassis and live axles — the latter similar to those used on Mercedes-Benz passenger vans and cars. Coil springing is employed all round.
Further standard features of the UK imports are diff locks on both front and rear axles to further enhance their • go-anywhere ability. Disc brakes are used up front with drums at the rear and they are dual circuit, servo assisted.
For the bodywork, Mercedes uses an all-steel welded construction with simple lines.
On a short test drive over a special route — some of which is used by Land-Rover for its trucks — At Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, I was able to put the 6-Series through its paces. Having tried the original vehicles in left-hand-drive form, I found the conversion to RI-ID an excellent one.
However, the power-assisted steering was more of a hindrance than a help; it lured one into a false sense of security, not knowing where the front wheels were pointing — and the rangechange lever on my vehicle seemed to stick.
Otherwise, once I'd got used to taking it easy on the throttle I had few problems in getting the vehicle through some of the most slippery terrains.
According to MB, its agreement to produce the vehicle with Steyr-Daimler-Puch has changed. The latter company has bought out the Mercedes share in the joint enterprise and makes all the vehicles itself, using M-B parts for most of the running gear. Steyr-DaimlerPuch badges some vehicles "Puch" for those markets it serves (including Austria, of course) while the Tristar and Mercedes badging is used for all other world markets.
Prices for the 6-Series for Britain range from £13,560 for the two-door, short-wheelbase diesel model, to £14,650 for the top of the range long-wheelbase 280 GE petrol.
Hopefully, Mercedes will be introducing the more utilitarian versions of the G range, including van and pickup models, as these are likely to prove more popular with commercial operators.