BMW is creating a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Gelendwagen
By ForGeeks
BMW is developing a new flagship SUV that could be a direct competitor to Mercedes-Benz’s legendary “Gelendwagen.” According to preliminary data, the model, working name Rugger and indexed G74, will arrive on the world market in 2029.
BMW is developing a new flagship SUV that could compete directly with Mercedes-Benz’s legendary Gelendwagen.
The new model is built on a modernized CLAR platform
The upcoming SUV will be a fundamentally new model in BMW’s lineup. It’s being developed on a deeply revised version of the CLAR architecture – the same one that underpins the brand’s current crossovers and sedans. This suggests that the Rugger will get powertrains from the next-generation BMW X5 (index G65), including hybrid versions.
The model will feature three rows of seats and a panoramic sunroof. A range of off-road solutions already familiar from some X-models’ packages is also announced, from lockable differentials to enhanced underbody protection and off-road-adapted tires.
The Rugger Rugger will be equipped with three rows of seats and a panoramic sunroof.
Production will begin in the U.S., at a plant in Spartanberg
The new SUV is scheduled to be launched at BMW’s U.S. plant in Spartanberg, South Carolina. That’s where most of the X-Series models – from the X3 to the X7 and the premium XM – are assembled today.
The choice of production site is not only due to logistics, but also to the model’s focus on the U.S. and Middle East markets, where demand for large luxury SUVs has traditionally been high.
A direct response to the Mercedes G-Class
The new model is being developed with an obvious reference to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, one of the most recognizable and consistently sought-after SUVs in the premium segment. “The G-Class has been in production since 1979 and has long been a status symbol, especially among buyers in Europe, the Middle East and the CIS.
