G300CDI CAB-CHASSIS
MERCEDES-BENZ released the cab-
chassis Professional to Australia last year,
and we are the only market on the planet
to get it. While we praised the truck for its
ease of use and heavy 2.4-tonne payload,
we were critical of its stiff-riding chassis
and rough ride quality. This was noted
both unladen and with a tonne on the tray.
Since it was launched, Benz has looked
at these criticisms and is working on a
softer suspension package that might
be offered as an option in the future.
However, something that has already
been implemented on the truck is a new
pair of rear shock absorbers that are
15mm longer.
15mm mightn’t sound a lot, but the
change appears to have transformed
the cab-chassis models that were used
on this trip. These vehicles also had
close to 1.5-tonnes on them – aluminium
canopies, tools and supplies – but we
spent a day driving one on the WAA line
and loved it.
In fact, it has become a favourite of the
two-model G-Professional range. With
its longer wheelbase over the wagon, the
cab-chassis rides better and ambled up
and over dunes, was comfortable on the
rough tracks, and hauled the load needed
to support and feed the crew on this trip.
Swap out those toolboxes for a serious
camper and the G-Pro cab-chassis could
be the perfect expedition rig.g500
German number
plates stood out on
Mike’s LHD G500s
(right) in the
Outback.http://www.4X4australia.com.au 636