Mercedes-Benz has released this first image of the show car they're going to invade the Geneva Auto Show with?the G 500 4x4?, a rather nonsensically-named monster that seems to be the AMG 6x6 G-wagen shorn of two wheels. Mercedes is playing coy with details, so let's operate under the assumption that this is simply a SWB 6x6 rocking a V8.
That would mean underneath the eye-searing yellow (perhaps it's lime green?) paint would be the frame and off-road goodies of the Austrian military version of the gelandewagen. There's a hint of advanced suspension glimmering from deep within the front wheel wells, probably the ?hlin gas bypass shocks that the 6x6 wears. Likewise, there could be portal axles hidden behind those huge AMG wheels that could, conceivably, facilitate the same sort of remote tire inflation technology featured in the 6x6 ?although it doesn't appear to be rocking beadlock rims like the 6x6 did.
That rounds out what we know, and what we can speculate about, for the moment. Mercedes seems to be willing to dole out a steady stream of info as we head into Geneva. Stay tuned for more.
In the meantime, watch this video of the 6x6 hustling around a track. A fish out of water, indeed.