The Mercedes G-Wagon: A Look At A Luxury Classic
The G-Class is a luxury classic that has been around for over 40 years. It was first developed as an off-road vehicle for the military and has since become one of the most popular luxury cars on the market. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the history and development of the G-Class Mercedes. We will also discuss why it has become such a popular choice for luxury car enthusiasts all over the world, making it one of the most misused vehicles in history!
The Inception Of The G-Class
The G-Class first originated back in the 1970s. It was developed as an off-road vehicle for the military and quickly gained popularity for its ruggedness and ability to tackle any terrain. The G in the G-Class actually stands for Gelandewagen, which means terrain vehicle (off-road vehicle). The G-Class quickly became a popular choice for luxury car buyers who wanted a vehicle that could handle any terrain or situation.
The Shah of Iran, who was a large Mercedes shareholder, suggested to Mercedes that they should develop a military-style off-road vehicle to compete with the Toyotas Land Cruiser and the Jeep. After Mercedes figured that this proposal wasn’t such a bad idea, after all, they started production seven years after developing the first functional prototype in 1972. Soon after, the Shah of Iran ordered 20.000 Mercedes G-Classes for the Iranian army. Unfortunately, he never got his 20.000 Mercedes, but that is a story of its own.
In order for Mercedes to develop a capable and reliable vehicle, they partnered with an Austrian parts manufacturer called Steyr-Daimler-Puch. Mercedes engineers were responsible for designing the vehicle, while Steyr-Daimler-Puch was responsible for the final assembly of the vehicle. A little know fact about the early G-Class is that in the early years, it was sold as the Puch-G in Germany.
The Mercedes engineers did such a good job that the G-Wagon was able to climb slopes up to 45 degrees…, which is A LOT. The G-Wagon was put through thousands and thousands of miles of harsh terrain in the Sahara desert, the Arctic, coal mines, and many more unforgiving locations.
The G-Wagon was not only durable when it came to conquering harsh terrain, but it also offered a smooth ride when it came back onto the asphalt. Usually, body-on-frame vehicles usually perform better than their unibody counterparts, but lucky for us, the Mercedes engineers were geniuses in their own right, fine tuning the chassis of the vehicle every step of the way, making it a smooth ride as possible.
A Capable Monster
The G-Wagon is one of the most capable vehicles that can tackle almost any terrain that is thrown at it; however, most people, unfortunately, know it as a status symbol for the wealthy. Don’t get me wrong; if I had the capabilities to own such a monster that also offers a smooth ride with plenty of space, I would be first in line to buy one. However, I do think that the use of the G-Wagon in our “modern” world is quite misguided. This car was designed to endure cruel off-road punishment for military purposes.
The G-Class has come a long way since its inception over 40 years ago. It is now one of the most popular luxury cars on the market and continues to be a favorite choice for those who want a vehicle that can tackle any terrain or situation!
The G-Class Rises Into Stardom
The Mercedes G-Class went onto the market in three distinct versions, the two-door convertible, two-door wagon, and the four-door wagon. The car soon started making headlines and became known as one of the most reliable and rugged vehicles on the market. Soon after that, the Argentinian army became the first army that started employing G-Wagons in their military lineup.
The two distinct events that have started the rise of the G-Wagon into an international status symbol were quite specific. John Paul II used a nacre white Mercedes-Benz 230 G with golden details for the first.
The two distinct events that have started the rise of the G-Wagon into an international status symbol were quite specific. John Paul II used a nacre white Mercedes-Benz 230 G with golden details for the first time during his visit to Germany forty years ago.
The next event happened in 1983 when two Frenchmen, Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur, won the Paris-Dakar Rally in a 280 G model, outright destroying their competition. Their G-Class survived a sandstorm that took out 40 other competitors.
A fascinating fact about the G-Wagon and its rise in popularity in the USA is that the US almost didn’t even receive the G-Wagon in the first place. Mercedes, at first, didn’t want to export the vehicle into the USA since they thought it couldn’t compete with the larger SUVs on the American market. The most popular model of the G-Wagon at the time had only about 100 horsepower, which was quite underpowered when compared with its American counterparts.
The G-Wagon On US Soil
Thanks to small American companies, the G-Wagon got a slow but stable footing in the American auto market. Companies like the Europa were one of the first to import the G-Wagon across the pond. The small import numbers paired with the high price tag made the G-wagon an instant status symbol. Europa started massively selling the G-Wagons in 1993 after it managed to acquire the necessary paperwork for the G-Wagons to be homologized for the American market. They became the first American importer and distributor of the G-Wagon.
The W463 was the first official luxury wagon on the American market. Mercedes even decided to rename the G-Wagon into the G-CLASS, which is genius marketing if you ask me. Soon enough, Mercedes saw how good Europa was doing with their brand new G-Wagons and decided to buy back the rights for selling them on the American market. 2001 was the year when the G-Wagon officially debuted in the USA. The American G500 had a five-liter V8 which produced 292 hp. But Mercedes also brought over the high-status favorite AMG tuned producing more than 350 hp, which did 0-60 mph in 7 seconds.
The G55 established the G-wagon as one of the most luxury vehicles on the American market, and the upper class took notice.
Throughout the years, the G-Class has undergone several redesigns and changes. However, it has always maintained its signature boxy shape and luxurious interior appointments.
The 6×6
In 2013 Mercedes dropped the six-wheel G-Wagon onto the American market. This behemoth of a machine is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, making it one of the most powerful SUVs on the market. It also features an all-wheel-drive system and a host of other off-road goodies, making it more than capable of tackling any terrain.
Inside, the six-wheel G-Wagon is just as luxurious as its exterior would suggest. Leather upholstery, wood trim, and an impressive infotainment system are just some of the features that make this SUV so special.
So this G-Wagon is basically a luxury version of a luxury car. If I remember correctly, it is Canelo Alvarezes’ favorite car.
FAQ
What is the starting price for a G-Class?
The starting price for a G-Class is around $120,000.
Who are some of the celebrities that have endorsed the G-Class?
The Pope John Paul II even had a custom-made G-Wagon that was used as his official vehicle; he was actually the first “celebrity” that was seen driving the G-Wagon. Some other celebrities that have endorsed the G-Class include Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
What engines are available in the G-Wagon?
The G-Wagon is available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines, ranging from 2.0 liters to 6.3 liters.
What are the main features of the G-Wagon?
Some of the main features of the G-Wagon include its off-road capability, luxurious interior, and high safety standards. Additionally, the G-Wagon is available with a variety of optional extras, such as a heated steering wheel and seats, climate control, and a sunroof.
