What's up with everybody coming out with a slightly more off-roady version of their existing off-roady cars? After Subaru's introduction of its Wilderness Outback and Forester, Honda followed suit Tuesday with the announcement of a new TrailSport trim for its light truck models. Moving up a couple of tax brackets, Mercedes-Benz is introducing its G-Class Professional Line Exterior, a G-Wagen equipped with a smattering of options that make it more appropriate on the trails and through the forests.
The Professional Line adds cage-like stone-resistant headlight guards, mud flaps behind all four wheels, chunkier tires, and some basic 18-inch wheels you probably won't mind roughing up. A Professional-spec spare tire holder and Professional roof rack (that's able to support a tent) are also included in the package.
In terms of color palette, the "Magno" paint is paired with a black roof, black fenders, black wheels, black mirror caps, and even a Mercedes badge that is black. In addition to this new Professional Line Exterior, all 2022 G-Classes receive the option of tinted rear windows and 64-color ambient lighting. The previous year's ambient lighting system only came with eight colors.
Despite these not being serious off-road accessories, the addition of these trail-focused bits to the G-Wagen is starting to slowly unlock the true off-roader's potential. At the very least, it's offering a more rugged look than that of 22-inch AMG wheels on rubberband tires.
We should point out that since this is an addition to the 2022 G-Class, it's unlikely that it will be available in the U.S. since the model is taking the year off here due to supply issues. A Mercedes spokesperson declined to comment on U.S. availability when contacted.
Over the weekend, Mercedes unveiled the Concept EQG, a "near-production" look at what the inevitable all-electric G-Wagen will look like. Featuring a solid rear axle and ladder frame, the electrified G-Class looks to retain all of the off-roadability of the gas version.
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