While many buyers of the Mercedes-Benz
G-Class yearn for the flagship AMG-branded variants, a new entry-level
four-cylinder variant dubbed the G350 is coming to China. G-Class fans may be
familiar with the nameplate as Mercedes-Benz sells a G350 in various markets.
However, that G350 also features a ‘d’ in its name, as a reference to its
diesel engine. By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz G350 that will soon launch in
China has a gasoline engine.
As reported by Autohome that nabbed these
pictures of the entry level model, the local G350 is powered by a turbocharged
2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine rated at a respectable 299 hp and 400 Nm and mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Mercedes-Benz G350 appears to have
been developed for the Chinese market because of how heavily the country taxes
vehicles with large capacity engines. There are few visual differences between
the G350 and V8-powered variants, making this base model all the more appealing.
In fact, the only really noticeable exterior difference are the smaller wheels.
While Mercedes-Benz doesn’t officially
sell the diesel G350d in China, it is possible to find one as many are imported
through the grey market. In fact, it is reported that no less than 20 G350d
models recently landed on Chinese shores after being imported from a
German-speaking country. No pricing details for the petrol G350 have been
announced but it will apparently be officially revealed in China in September.
