MUD, SWEAT AND GEARS

From Munich's autobahns to Graz's muddy slopes, our trip reveals how Mercedes builds and tests the unstoppable G-Wagon.

- Words Nishant Padhiar

Munich was waking up under a soft September light, the IAA grounds still humming with neon screens, autonomous shuttles, and concept EVs promising utopia. But our mission? To punt a Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4MATIC from the cultured confines of Munich, through the unrestricted hedonism of the German Autobahn, over the misty, switchback-laden spines of the Austrian Alps, and into the sacred grounds where the almighty G-Wagon is hand-forged. This wasn't just a road trip; it was a petrol-powered pilgrimage to the very heart of automotive ruggedness. And let me tell you, it delivered more thrills than a squirrel on espresso.

The Road to Graz

Leaving Munich, the road ahead unfolded like a ribbon of possibilities. The autobahn, that legendary stretch of asphalt where speed limits are often treated as mere suggestions (and delightfully so), beckoned. The GLC300, a vehicle usually found gracefully navigating the urban jungle, transformed into a sleek, asphalt-devouring missile. Its 2.0-liter inline-four turbo engine, a plucky little powerhouse churning out 255 hp and a respectable 400Nm of torque, hooked up to a slick nine-speed automatic transmission, made triple-digit speeds feel less like a challenge and more like a casual stroll in a very fast park. Overtakes? They were dispatched with the casual flick of a wrist. There's a particular brand of joy in watching the scenery blur outside while your speedo blazes past numbers that would earn you a hefty fine almost anywhere else on Earth. It's pure, unadulterated, Teutonic freedom. A sharp, full colour HUD and Augmented reality maps projected over the front camera feed helped me spot exits, road signs, even hazards before they became problems. Seat ventilation breathing beneath and 8000ft of Alipine altitude above, it was time to hit the "drive time" playlist.