The Mercedes Benz All Activity Vehicle (AAV) was unveiled to the world at the Detroit Motor Show (Jan' 96). When it finally goes on sale, it will mark Mercedes' first return to small four wheel drives since the G-wagen.

The styling is well, err, um, ... it reminds me of a chubbier Subaru Impreza to tell the truth.

The vehicle is a medium size four wheel drive. The engine options will be four cylinder, five cylinder turbo-diesel, V6 and V8. One of the lessons from the G-wagen seems to be that more V-power zing is needed to be a success. The V6 and V8 will have an electronically controlled five speed automatic transmission. Apparently there will be a "real" two-speed transfer case.

Mercedes plan to build 65,000 AAVs per year at Tuscaloosa Alabama USA, half for the US market and half for export. It should be on sale in America in late 1997, and perhaps in Australia in 1998.

Go to the M-class and Mercedes Benz pages