Mercedes-Benz G-Class History
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class just may be one of the most fascinating Mercedes-Benz vehicles in history. For nearly 50 years, the G-Class has simply existed. Sure it has received modern exterior and interior pieces of style that keep the technology up to rich-person standards, but for the most part, it has remained unchanged. How has it been able to maintain its position at the top of the food chain without making any changes? Are there any other SUVs you can say this about?
Gelandewagen
Gelandewagen is a German term for “cross-country vehicle” and is the origin of the G-Class. In 1972, Mercedes-Benz decided they needed an SUV that couldn’t be stopped by anything; not even time. So they set out to create the G-Wagen. It was finally completed in 1979 and quickly found its way into weird places such as the battlefield and the Pope’s garage!
Papa G
When the G-Class first came out, it was available with different wheelbases and different body styles such as a convertible option. This led to the creation of a G-Wagen Pope Mobile, which went down in history as one of the more famous vehicles for the Pope to ride in.
20th Anniversary
In 1990, the G-Class got its first and only official civilian remodel. This was also the first model that was available in the United States. It had a 354-horsepower V8 that was upgraded to 476 horsepower in 2004. This engine became extra famous when a Siberian filmmaker documented his trip to the world’s coldest region without a single breakdown in 2016. This was something that had never been done before in a passenger vehicle and it sealed the G-Class in history once again.
G-Class Concepts
Since the beginning, there have been many concepts of the G-Class. Especially in military applications, the G-Class has been customized more than any other car in history. It was made into an extended limo, a 6-wheel Earth fighter, and even a pickup truck.
1979 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen vs 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
| 1979 Mercedes-Benz 230G | VS. | 2016 Mercedes-Benz G550 SUV |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L I4 | Engine | 4.0L Biturbo V8 |
| 102 | Horsepower | 416 |
| 127 lb-ft | Torque | 450 lb-ft |
Look at how much the power standards have changed since it was first introduced! If you have any questions about Mercedes-Benz G-Class history, leave a comment below and we will dig up some answers!
