Off-road vehicles have become bolder than ever before thanks to models like the Rivian R1T and R1S. Most major automakers produce at least one off-road trim for popular SUV and truck models due to the growing demand for capable vehicles.
There's a huge community of off-roading enthusiasts that modify Toyota Tacomas and Jeep Wranglers. Some drivers hungry for off-road adventures want a vehicle that's equipped for the road less traveled straight from the factory. That's where models like the Subaru Outback Wilderness and Ford Bronco Raptor come in.
Mercedes-Benz produces some luxury models capable of handling rough terrain like its G-Class SUVs. The German automaker is looking to take off-roading to a whole other level, based on a patent the company
filed for a swimming system. That's right, a new Mercedes model could be capable of taking a dip without being written off for water damage.
Mercedes-Benz files amphibious vehicle system patent
Off-road vehicles can conquer steep hills, jagged rocks and mud, but what about water? Automaker Mercedes-Benz has filed a patent in Germany for a system that transforms a conventional vehicle into an amphibious vehicle when entering and exiting water.
The system will allow for propulsion in water and include buoyancy aids to keep it afloat. It's a driving mode that enables the vehicle to safely travel through water, an impossible feat for most modern vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicles are capable of many things, but the system that the patent is describing is unique, futuristic and almost unbelievable when it comes to most mainstream and luxury automobiles.
Can cars actually ford water in 2026?
Most modern vehicles can't ford water without risking extreme damage, but there are a few off-road vehicles that are specially designed to withstand certain depths. The Rivian R1S and R1T don't require an air intake and have exceptional ground clearance thanks to an adjustable air suspension system. R1S and R1T models have up to 43 inches of water fording depth, which is about 3.5 feet.
Land Rover's Defender and Range Rover models also have impressive water fording depths (35.4 inches). Modern vehicles aren't typically designed to drive through water, but a handful of off-road models can cross through a few feet of water without experiencing costly and catastrophic mechanical issues.
Which Mercedes-Benz is designed for off-roading?
Off-road adventuring may not be the first thing you associate with Mercedes-Benz, but the company does produce a capable SUV that many drivers purchase because of its unique build quality. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a heavy-duty 4x4 known for its durability.
The G-Class' body-on-frame design, locking differentials and low-range transfer case all make the luxury SUV qualified for tackling obstacles off the beaten path. It also has plenty of ground clearance (9.5 inches).
It's unclear how Mercedes plans to utilize the system that's the subject of its new patent, but it's easy to see how a G-Class (gas or electric) could be modified to include the new technology.
Will the iconic Mercedes-Benz SUV be dolphin kicking like Michael Phelps in the future?
Charles Singh is an Autos Connect Reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at CSingh@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can SUVs swim? Mercedes-Benz wants them to
