Friday, 06 July 2018 08:55

She’s a truck; not a ute!

Written by 

Prominently displayed at the Mercedes Benz site at Fieldays was a vehicle that gives merit to the saying ‘there’s plenty of life in the old dog yet’.

The venerable G-Professional cab chassis can trace its heritage back to the early 1970s when the Shah of Iran – a major shareholder at Mercedes – suggesting the company develop a military vehicle, which we know morphed into the ubiquitous G-wagon.

Now, 45 years later, the G-Professional might be termed middle-aged but it can still hold its own, and more, in a market dominated by youngbloods. 

Shown in an interesting configuration, as a rural fire service vehicle that would have most brigades salivating, the vehicle produces 135kW and 400Nm from a 3.0L, V6 turbo-diesel that mates to a five-speed auto-transmission and three independent differential locks.

Looking at the vehicle’s abilities, a gross vehicle mass of 4470kg enables the truck to carry a 2085kg payload and pull a braked trailer of 3200kg, combining to give the G-Pro a combined mass of 7500kg.

More like this

Fieldays hold out the begging bowl

OPINION: When someone says “we don’t want a handout, we need a hand up” it usually means they have both palms out and they want your money.

Fieldays calls for strategic investment in its future

A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.

Fieldays to rebuild Mystery Creek services building

The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.

Featured

2026 fresh produce trends shaping Kiwi food culture

According to the latest Fresh Produce Trend Report from United Fresh, 2026 will be a year where fruit and vegetables are shaped by cost pressures, rapid digital adoption, and a renewed focus on wellbeing at home.

Editorial: Having a rural voice

OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Realpolitik!

OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year…

The Kiwi way

OPINION: This old mutt has been around for a few years now and it seems these ‘once in 100-year’ weather…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter