Mercedes-Benz South Africa lists both the G 63 AMG and the G 400d in their SUV range. But they are not SUVs, that’s almost an insult, they the one and only Gs. And while the G 63 AMG, which I previously experienced in the new and old version, is a hell of a lot of hilarious fun to drive on road, it’s this one, the G 400d, you take on a trip to Namibia and drive off the beaten track.

The 3.0-l. V6 turbo diesel is an absolute smooth and agile dream engine, even on my home run (Clarence Drive) I could overtake with ease. Never once ran I out of forward momentum. It is one of the best oil burners you can currently buy. When you look at the wheels of the G 63 AMG you know, taking it into the wild would be like walking up Table Mountain in high heels. It’s possible, but not much fun. The G 400d’s rubbers are great on tar for speeds just beyond 200km/h, but will they be able to tackle some off road obstacles? Let’s see.

My choice is the Gear up 4x4 trail on Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie. The first time I am there and so close to civilisation I didn’t expect much. But the guys did a marvellous job in putting together a really challenging obstacle course, with some red routes thrown in. Which at first glance looked impossible to tackle, until the G simply annihilated them. I managed to get over each and everyone of them, to the obvious surprise of the track owner, who recalls only seeing heavily modified 4x4s at some of the obstacles. But I must admit, I had to use all three diff locks and first low range gear in the end to conquer the course in its entirety.

No wonder, that you feel invincible in a G. Sometimes you go as far as to contemplating about invading a small African country in it. Or imagining a Zombie apocalypse. If the world ends now, this is the vehicle to be in, together with your shotgun. My dream garage would definitely have this cool box inside. Next to a naturally aspirated Porsche Boxster 718 Spyder.