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The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been known as the G-Wagon since it ventured onto the scene in 1979.
Looking Back at the G-Wagon
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The Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen, which in English means “cross-country vehicle”, was a Mercedes-Benz venture off the road – as in totally uncharted territory. Designed in collaboration with Steyer-Puch of Austria, Mercedes built the first G-Class with battlefield and extreme off-road capabilities for the Shah of Iran, then a significant shareholder of Mercedes stock.
Although the Shah soon left the Iranian government to others and never took delivery of his vehicles, the next 40+ years saw the G-Class make its chunky and blocky retro way into the hearts of buyers and enthusiasts worldwide. Mercedes says, “at the premiere in 1979, the planners assumed there would be no more than 10,000 vehicles of the G-model per year. Today, in its fourth decade, over 20,000 of the G’s come off the production line in Graz, Austria each year.”
Today we look back at the history of what we call the G-Wagon, which Mercedes says is a story of how continuous advancement leads to lasting success.
Mercedes-Benz W460 G-Class (1979-1992)
The Mercedes-Benz W460 G-Class was introduced on an off-road proving ground in Toulon, France. It had three engines and five body styles, but no air-conditioning, automatic transmission option, or other expected comforts we know from current models.
- The initial model prototype design is created out of wood instead of clay, partly because of its square design.
- The G-Class was initially designed and built for military and government applications. Mercedes says “there was no room for cutting corners. This was to be a cross-country vehicle which did justice to the name, and which would genuinely hold its own”
- In 1981, Mercedes gave the G-Wagon an automatic transmission, and it finally had a standard air conditioning system.
- From the beginning, Mercedes built the G-Wagon with a narrow width, strong all-wheel-drive, and aggressive appearance.
- The first G-Wagons were hand-built in Graz, Austria.
- The first-generation G-Class was known for being able to go anywhere.
- In 1982, Recaro seats, auxiliary heating, light-alloy wheels with wider tires, and wheel arch flaring could be ordered as options.
- In 1983, Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur took a 280 GE to victory in the 1983 Paris–Dakar Rally.
- The G was first available in three body styles: two-door convertible, two-door wagon, and four-door wagon.
- Mercedes didn’t officially export the G-Wagon until 2001, although many were brought in as grey market cars. These were allowed until 1987.
- In 1980, the Vatican commissioned a four-door 230G fitted with a clear plastic chamber that permitted the Pope to stand upright while parading in public appearances. The plastic bubble was eventually made bulletproof.
Mercedes-Benz W461 and Non-US W463 G-Class (1991-2001)
The W461 G-Class chassis was like the previous model, but adapted the power train of the W463. It was built for the military, police, and NGOs. The W463 chassis featured a revised and refined interior and permanent all-wheel drive instead of the on-demand all-wheel drive.
- Mercedes adds the W463, its first civilian-only model with an updated interior featuring leather seats, wood trim, cruise control, and anti-lock brakes. The W461 continued until 2014.
- New features were added, including the new four-wheel electric locking differentials and ABS.
- In 1993, Europa, a Santa Fe, NM company G-Class parts supplier, receives government permission to import plus safety and emission certify the G-Class for sale in the US.
- Europa International sold the certified G-Class for over $100,000.
- In 1997, Mercedes-Benz launched the improved Convertible variant of the G-Class with an electro pneumatically operated soft-top.
- 1998, Europa International became a small-volume manufacturer and was the exclusive importer and distributor of the new G500 in the United States.
Mercedes-Benz W463 G-Class (2002-Present)
In 2002, more than 20-years after the first Mercedes G-Wagon, Mercedes-Benz officially begins importing the V8 G-Class to the United States. They took over from Europa after seeing the growth potential of the G-Class in the US market.
- 2002 – Mercedes-Benz officially launched the US market G-Class with the G500 and G55 AMG.
- The G500/G55 AMG received dual airbags for the driver and the front passenger.
- In the W-463, Mercedes switched the steering to a variable-ration rack and pinion steering with adaptive electric power assist. This allowed the installation of new driver safety systems like lane change assist. Mercedes also moved to a fully independent front suspension.
- In 2007 Mercedes produces the GL-Class SUV to replace the G-Wagon.
- Demand and profits for the G-Wagon did not taper off, so Mercedes continued to produce it.
- The US military requested military spec G-Wagons for deployment in the middle east conflicts.
- The Vatican requested a new “Pope-Mobile.”
- The 2007 G-Class received HID headlamps plus the federally mandated tire pressure monitors and rear camera.
- The G also received a new instrument cluster with four analog dial instruments and a driver information center.
- The G 500 was available with optional side exhaust pipes from the G55 AMG.
- In 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2007 “Off-Road” magazine voted the G-Class “off-roader of the year.”
- In 2009, Mercedes-Benz celebrated the 30th anniversary of the G-Class and introduced the G 280 CDI EDITION.30 PUR.
- The G 280 CDI EDITION.30 PUR was a five-door, long-wheelbase, SUV.
- In 2013, Mercedes introduced and built 100 G63 AMG 6×6 vehicles. Unfortunately, this six-wheeled version of the G-Wagon was not available in the US.
- 2016 brought the US a $225,000 Mercedes-Benz G65. A V12 producing 621 horsepower powered this G-Wagon. Inside, Mercedes filled it with the finest of quilted leather. A buyer could order the non-aerodynamic G65 without a speed limiter to go over 150 mph.
- In 2017, in what seems to be an attempt to one-up themselves, Mercedes produced the $800,000 Maybach G65. Ninety-nine were built, and each model has reclining rear seats in the half convertible rear passenger compartment.
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- As if the Maybach G65 wasn’t enough, Mercedes produces the $225,000 G550 4×4 Squared with enormous wheels and tires. It stands seven feet four inches tall. It is estimated that 300 sold to United States buyers.
- For 2018, the W-463 evolved to be longer, wider, more luxurious, and easier to drive.
- The new update allowed all the available Mercedes sedan safety systems to be installed.
- The new interior design includes a Mercedes electronic dash. The interior matches the luxury and tech that’s available in the highest trimmed Mercedes vehicles.
- Two versions are now available, the G550 4MATIC and G63 4MATIC. Both have twin turbocharged V8s.
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