2025 Mercedes G-Class Will Use A New Kinetic Suspension System

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up for a 2025 makeover of its iconic G-Class, and it's bringing a game-changing feature into the mix: a cutting-edge kinetic suspension system inspired by the technology already found in the current SL and GT models.

This revolutionary suspension isn't just an upgrade; it's set to redefine comfort and handling. It ditches the traditional anti-roll bars in favor of an interconnected damping system armed with electro-hydraulic flow valves.

These smart valves adjust the suspension's rebound and compression dynamically, responding to factors like speed, steering wheel angle, body movement, and road conditions. The real innovation here is how it reacts when one wheel encounters a bump. As that wheel compresses, the piston inside the damper extends upward, sending hydraulic fluid across to the other side to assist in the rebound of the opposing damper. It's like a ballet of technology, keeping your ride smooth and controlled.

Two accumulators that are filled with nitrogen gas control the stiffness of the system by directing extra hydraulic fluid to the flow valves as necessary. Wards Auto recently had the privilege of experiencing this technology firsthand by riding shotgun in a 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class equipped with the system. 

Mercedes-AMG's head of suspension development, Ralf Haug, emphasized its versatility: “It gives us greater breadth of ability between the various driving modes. We’re able to go softer at one end and firmer at the other end of the spectrum than we are with the more conventional suspension and the anti-roll bars that we use today."

The beauty of this suspension system is that it can significantly reduce body roll, making your ride more comfortable and controlled. It also plays a significant role in improving off-road traction, enhancing the G-Class's legendary capabilities.

What's particularly fascinating is that this technology had its glory days in motorsports when Citroen used it in the World Rally Championship during the early 2000s. After the FIA banned it, it found its way to the consumer market, with companies like Tenneco, under its Monroe brand, adopting it. Today, it's not only a part of luxury vehicles like McLaren but has also found a home in the groundbreaking electric world of Rivian. So, the 2025 G-Class isn't just an update; it's a leap into the future of suspension technology.