Mercedes-Benz G350 first test, big G or your big G?

Last week, the listing of G350 in China once again pushed this cross-country legend to a very high level. But this time everyone is holding a wait-and-see attitude, which is also controversial. The wait-and-see attitude is to hear the real evaluation of the market, and the controversy is whether the G350 still has the soul of the big G. And this time I took these two questions with me, driving G350 on the extreme road conditions of Kunlun Mountain for the first time. Let's find the answer first.

First of all, from the visual point of view, there are only three differences in appearance between G350 and G500, namely, the tag at the tail, the tire and the V8 logo, and there is no other difference. Moreover, the new color scheme seen on the G350 this time makes this car look younger and younger, especially the blue and red body with black roof and surround, just like a special G500 at night. In automobiles, G350 and G500 are identical in materials and configuration. In other words, all the hardware and software are the same except the engine part in the power.

So this time I mainly talk about the driving experience of new power. Hardware, the G350 is equipped with a very mature and durable M264 engine of Mercedes-Benz, with 2.0T four cylinders, a maximum horsepower of 258 horsepower and a peak torque of 370 Nm. The gearbox is still a 9-speed automatic manual transmission with an acceleration of 8. 1 sec. And what is the concept of 8. 1 sec? Compared with GLE350, which is currently recognized as excellent in handling, the difference is only 0.7 seconds.

Compared with G500, G350 is still equipped with the same three differential locks and low-speed four-wheel drive modes as G500 or G63, which means that it can fully realize all off-road modes and torque amplification functions of Big G, and with the advantages of non-loaded body, front double wishbone and air suspension, it can be said that even if it is 2.0T, it has off-road indicators that rivals at the same level can compete with.

The route of G350 test drive is from Dunhuang to Xining via Dachaidan and Golmud. The whole journey is nearly 2000 kilometers, and the highest altitude is nearly 4000 meters, including daily road conditions and challenging cross-country and canyon wading. Next, I will tell you about the test drive experience.

Everyday: It is more suitable for going to the street.

Let's talk about the feeling of driving in the city first. It can be said that the G350 is easier to use than the G500 in daily driving, especially after you get used to the 2.0T model. Compared with the explosive personality of G500, G350 is somewhat convergent and crisp, and you will soon find a sense of driving communication with this car.

In comfort mode, G350 will give relatively gentle power when accelerating at low speed, but when accelerating overtaking, slightly stepping on the accelerator will trigger the jump shift instantly, and the speed above 3000 rpm will directly summon 370 Nm of torque, making the whole process smooth and natural. Even in the process of full throttle acceleration, the feedback of the engine is not the kind of screaming roar, but the natural inhalation sound similar to large displacement can be heard unexpectedly.

Of course, there are some regrets, such as the lack of V8 sound and the exhaust sound when the ignition is started. But the advantage is that this big G will be quieter in daily use, and the side windows are all double-layer sound insulation glass, which is much quieter than G500. However, I think that if Mercedes-Benz can consider configuring a set of simulated sound waves in the G350, it can still "indulge itself" in some cases.

The daily summary is that G350 is more suitable for going out on weekdays in cities than G500 and G63, and the power control can be easier. In addition, the steering feel and chassis feedback are the same as G500.

Self-driving: Less fanaticism, more relaxed.

For long-distance driving, the biggest advantage of G350 in my opinion this time is that it can control this hard-core off-road with a more relaxed attitude. Long-distance cruise, the power output is very linear, and it has the same advanced feeling as GLE350. The throttle control is not rigid, but if you want to overtake, once you step on the throttle deeply, the power is on call.

In these countless times, when I overtook at a speed of 80km/h, I was able to get the back acceleration very lightly, from 80 to 120, without hesitation.

The most incredible thing is that the official fuel consumption of G350 is 10.5L/ 100 km, but this time our measured fuel consumption is only 1 1L, and it is still in the case of high altitude hypoxia, so I can say that I am very satisfied with the fuel consumption performance of Big G. ..

Cross-country: It still smells like a big G.

Mercedes-Benz, a cross-country project, is aimed at all G-series vehicles. It is set at one end of the Kunlun Grand Canyon, wading across the extremely steep gravel ground. But this time, the three locks are useless to deal with this road condition. How can I drive this kind of car in this road condition every day? Moreover, I have tried to start on steep slopes several times, and the car has not backed up. Moreover, the four Michelin PS4s originally equipped with the car are all lightly stepping on the accelerator. The tires of the SUV can drive the vehicle to move forward lightly without slipping, but in response to such road conditions, it does not feel that there is only a 2.0T engine.

In other words, G350 is competent for G500 in terms of driving quality and passing capacity. 99% off-road scenes, and when you hold its steering wheel and step on the rugged terrain, you can fully appreciate the soul that a big G should have.

Generally speaking, the most intuitive reaction to the appearance of Mercedes-Benz G350 is that it has only one more choice in the camp of Big G. In the history of G-Class, this choice has always existed, but the myth of G500 is too eye-catching. With the appearance of G350 this time, this car didn't want to replace anyone, let alone reduce everyone's expectations for a big G, G500 and AMG? G63 will still be here, and these three cars will be in parallel in this era, customizing car scenes with different needs.

This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.