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Most people know or suspect that the large majority of SUVs never go off road. It is estimated that less than 5% of SUVs ever go off road. All of us have archetypes of the SUVs that are meant for real off-road service- Jeeps, Land Rovers. And indeed, in a test of off-road capability, these two brands were clearly the best. On my way into the gym this morning, I had the interesting and rather surreal experience of seeing a Mercedes SUV built just like a Hummer, or a large Jeep.

Everyone knows Mercedes makes luxury sedans. It is less well known that these sedans are fast. An S600 has a 0-690 time that is the same as a stock Corvette. Mercedes also makes very elegant two seat convertibles. The larger of these are serious competitors with Lamborghini and Ferrari not only for price but for performance. But without question, Mercedes has no reputation for off-road vehicles.

There are Mercedes SUVs that compete nicely with Lexus SUVs. All these vehicles are ridiculous if viewed as potential off-road vehicles, but perfectly reasonable when thought of in their actual environment- the hauling of large numbers of children and family members in quiet comfort on long and short trips. This Mercedes SUV, however, had all the build and attributes of a serious off-road vehicle- the animal catcher in front of the grille, the high ground clearance, the big, awkward tires, boxy shape, rack on top.

I am having a hard time imagining a Mercedes off-road vehicle. In Europe there are Mercedes trucks and buses, but not here. Can you imagine saying the phrase 'let's take the Mercedes into the bush'? Can you visualize a Mercedes bouncing along in Baja California on a road rally? How about a Mercedes with big game strapped to its muddy fenders in Africa? These are absurd images. It is even more absurd to think about a Mercedes as a Hummer. How about a Mercedes all-purpose military vehicle? Or a Mercedes Brinks truck? That's what it looked like.......

Bending and changing stereotypes is generally good. Trying to create something outside established stereotypes before they are changed in the public consciousness is generally a lamentable failure. SUVs are fine. Mercedes SUVs are fine. Mercedes serious off-road vehicles and armored cars have a ways to go.

Ted

Comments

  1. Elizabeth NelsonApril 26, 2010 at 3:30 PM

    I don't understand why people even have Hummers. Like you said I'm sure they don't even get them dirty much less take them off road. It's just a status symbol. Give me a hybrid car any day over a huge SUV. That's all I'm saying. Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 26, 2010 at 5:15 PM

    Given our limited supply of fossil fuels, is there a good moral justification for building and selling more SUV gas guzzlers that aren't going to be used for off road driving? Isn't that part of the U.S. prodigality of which most of the world complains?

    Mercedes might be able to turn a profit from this, but that doesn't morally justify building even more SUVs...

    David

    ReplyDelete

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