Mercedes-Benz G-Class
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | |
|---|---|
Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC (W463)
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Also called |
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| Production |
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| Assembly | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class |
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| Related |
Peugeot P4 Rheinmetall LIV (SO) (aka AGF) Interim Fast Attack Vehicle |
| 460 / 461 | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Production | 1979–1990 (460) 1990–2001 (461) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door SWB 2-door SWB convertible 3-door SWB van 3-door LWB van 5-door LWB station wagon |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz 460 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0L I4 2.3L I4 2.8L I6 Petrol 2.4L I4 diesel 2.5L I5 diesel 3.0L I5 diesel 2.9L I5 turbodiesel |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) or 2,850 mm (112.2 in) |
| 463 | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Production | 1990–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door SWB 2-door SWB convertible 5-door LWB station wagon |
| Layout | Front engine / Four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz W463 |
| Related |
BAW B80 KSU Gazal-1 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.0L V8 5.4L supercharged V8 5.5L twin-turbo V8 6.0L twin-turbo V12 2.9L V6 Diesel 4.0L V8 Diesel |
| Transmission | 5-speed/7-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) or 2,850 mm (112.2 in) |
| Length | Pre-2003: 4,661 mm (183.5 in) 2004–09: 4,714 mm (185.6 in) (LWB) 2010–: 4,686 mm (184.5 in) |
| Width | Pre-2003: 1,760 mm (69.3 in) 2004–09: 1,811 mm (71.3 in) 2004–09 AMG: 1,864 mm (73.4 in) 2010–: 1,824 mm (71.8 in) 2010– AMG: 1,857 mm (73.1 in) |
| Height | 2004–09: 1,976 mm (77.8 in) Pre-2003: 1,836 mm (72.3 in) 2010–: 1,930 mm (76.0 in) |
| Kerb weight | 2,580 kg (5,690 lb) (G55 AMG) |
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, sometimes called G-Wagen (short for Geländewagen, "cross country vehicle"), is a mid-size four-wheel drive luxury SUV manufactured by Magna Steyr (formerly Steyr-Daimler-Puch) in Austria and sold by Mercedes-Benz. In certain markets, it has been sold under the Puch name as Puch G. The G-wagen is characterized by its boxy styling and body-on-frame construction. It uses three fully locking differentials, one of the few 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 Mercedes-Benz in Daimler's history, with a span of 35 years. Only the Unimog surpasses it.
The G-class was developed as a military vehicle from a suggestion by the Shah of Iran (at the time a significant Mercedes shareholder) to Mercedes and offered as a civilian version in 1979. In this role it is sometimes referred to as the "Wolf" and LAPV Enok. The Peugeot P4 is a variant made under license, with a Peugeot engine and different parts.
It was not available from Mercedes-Benz in the United States until 2002, although this was preceded by a grey-market where even basic models commanded six-figure prices in the 1990s. It was launched in 2002 as the Mercedes-Benz G500 with a V-8 gas engine and achieved 3114 sales that year. This eventually tapered down to some sub-1000 sales years, however, in the 2010s sales began to increase again surpassing 3000 in 2014 and in 2015 it sold more than in its launch year, with 3616 sold that year.
Development started in 1972, focusing on off road abilities and maximum safety and comfort; with a cooperative agreement between Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Graz, Austria. Mercedes-Benz engineers in Stuttgart were in charge of design and testing, while the team in Graz developed the production plans. The first wooden model was presented to Daimler-Benz management in 1973, with the first drivable prototype beginning various testing including German coalfields, the Sahara Desert, and the Arctic Circle in 1974. Construction commenced on a new production facility in Graz, where the new cross-country vehicle would be assembled nearly entirely by hand in 1975, with production of the "G Model" beginning in Graz in 1979. In 1980, the Vatican took delivery of a specially made G-Wagen outfitted with a clear thermoplastic top which served as the Popemobile. The “Papa G” later took up permanent residence at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
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