G-Class (G-Wagen) Launch in the Moon Valley Namibia

Well it's come and gone and was an experience never to be forgotten.

A party of about 45 was invited to attend the launch of the new G-Class (as it is now known). It was a very secretive event and on landing in Walvis bay we already saw the selection of G's in the parking lot.

In a moment of weakness I started walking across to the vehicles just to have a look and notice everyone else was just as eager to go and look.
Soon the Organisers came as well and gave us keys to the vehicles which were to carry the excited 'kids' to the next venue.
A drive along the beach took us to a beach en route to Swakopmund where a tent was erected and we were to have a lavish lunch and an introduction and welcome by Mercedes Benz South Africa.

By now the weather had changed and everyone not wearing a jacket did not have one.

After lunch and all on strict times we left this venue to go into the dunes en route to our overnight camp.

Dune driving with the new G is a breeze and far from the older generation of G's where some real momentum was required these new G's only required a deeper push of the pedal to increase speed up the dunes. After the dunes we re inflated tyres and continued through the Moon Valley scenic dirt roads where road holding was as per expected from a G.

Just as the sun had set we arrived in our camp in a stunning setting in the Swakop riverbed. Reception at this venue was again only as Mercedes could have planned, tables with some refreshment including oysters.


Everyone was shown to their tent complete with aircon and ensuite bush shower to freshen up for the next
event, a question and answer session with Mercedes Benz marketing and technical.
This is where the G 55 was first seen after a life size video was projected against the rock faces driving of to the left and a few seconds later the real thing appeared from behind the rock. What a sound!!!


After the Q&A session it was time to enjoy dinner. We had to walk a short walk to another valley lit up in green and blue lighting with spectacular result. In the valley was a buffet , bar and a few round tables with white table cloths.
Again we were addressed by MBSA and introduced to Antoinette de Chavonnes Vrugt who received a Best in the World Award for her Cookbook and also was responsible for the tasty dinner we were about to have.

After starters we were again surprised by a G350 driving past and up an embankment with extraordinary ease and parked there in the light with great effect. On top of that live music was played by three lovely ladies showing us that violins and Chello like instruments can be very effective instruments.





Dinner was had and after dessert in the desert we were invited to light a Chinese lantern. These were lit and floated up in between the valley rock faces with astonishing grace.


The G was again driven down the embankment and after a challenge from Michel the driver cooly said it is no problem reversing up the same way which duly demonstrated and drove up even higher than before. Unfortunately there was no light and photography for myself was impossible.

The next morning started early with a warm shower and a relaxed breakfast before driving another G. Most participants drove either a 350 or Professional the first day and the other the next.


I drove the Professional the second day and even though not as luxurious as the 350 it does have its advantages and definitely does not have to stand back for the 350 as far as engine power goes.


We drove all the way back past the Airport to the Vogelfederberg which is a rocky outcrop similar to Ayers Rock but not as smooth.
There the we were again surprised with a light lunch in a tent.


The Mercedes drivers from Germany demonstrated the abilities of the G without and with difflocks and then drove up the rock face with unbelievable ease.
Thereafter anyone brave enough could get into the vehicle with them and enjoy the roller coaster drive up and down sometimes stopping halfway and changing direction.
For the potential G55 customers the opportunity was given to join in a drive up the same routes with the G55, which did everything with the same ease if treated with respect not to overutilise the fuel pedal.



This concluded the G Launch and we had our last drive to the airport in the legendary G, which has now officially not got and end of production date and can be enjoyed for many many years to come.