Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Mercedes-Benz G 350 (W463)
Overview
Manufacturer
Also called
  • Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen (1979–present)
  • Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon
  • Puch G (1979–2000)
Production1979–present
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassMilitary off-roader
Off-road vehicle
Luxury SUV
Pickup truck
Related

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, colloquially known as the G-Wagon or G-Wagen[3] (as an abbreviation of Geländewagen), is a four-wheel drive luxury SUV manufactured by Magna Steyr (formerly Steyr-Daimler-Puch) in Graz, Styria, Austria and sold by Mercedes-Benz. Originally developed as a military off-roader, later more luxurious models were added to the line. In certain markets, it was sold under the Puch name as Puch G until 2000.

The G-Wagen is characterised by its boxy styling and body-on-frame construction. It uses three fully locking differentials, one of the few passenger car vehicles to have such a feature. Despite the introduction of an intended replacement, the unibody SUV Mercedes-Benz GL-Class in 2006, the G-Class is still in production and is one of the longest-produced vehicles in Daimler's history, with a span of 45 years. Only the Unimog surpasses it.[4] In 2018, Mercedes-Benz introduced the second-generation W463 with heavily revised chassis, powertrain, body, and interior. In 2023, Mercedes-Benz announced plans to launch a smaller version of the G-Class, named "little G"—though no definitive date was given for the launch.[5]

The 400,000th unit was built on 4 December 2020.[6] The success of the second-generation W463 led to the 500,000th unit milestone three years later in April 2023.[7] The 500,000th model was a special one-off model with agave green paintwork, black front end, and amber turn signal indicators in tribute to the iconic 1979 press release photo of a jumping W460 240 GD.[8]

  1. ^ "Algerian factory unveils new locally assembled truck for Algerian military". Db-defenceweb.co.za. 16 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  2. ^ "Cross country 1/4 ton military jeeps". ELBO. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  3. ^ O'Kane, Sean (5 September 2021). "Mercedes-Benz Reveals an Electric G-Wagen Concept for the Future". The Verge. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Mercedes-Benz G-Class to be produced till 2020". MSN Arabia. Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  5. ^ Kharpal, Arjun (2023-09-03). "Mercedes to release a smaller version of its G Class luxury SUV". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  6. ^ Padeanu, Adrian (4 December 2020). "Mercedes G-Class Reaches Production Milestone: 400,000th SUV Assembled". Motor1.
  7. ^ Schmidt, Matthias (20 April 2023). "G-Klasse macht die halbe Million voll". Stuttgarter Nachrichten (in German). Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Geschichte(n) des G: Sonderausstellung G-Klasse im Mercedes-Benz Museum". Radio Oldtimer (in German). 7 October 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2023.