The Land Rover Defender, Toyota Land Cruiser, and G-Wagen (as the Gelandewagen is commonly known) are hands down the three most iconic overland vehicles. With the classic Defender relegated to the nostalgia of history, only the Toyota and Mercedes remain, and we don’t know which of the two we prefer. That said, the G-Wagen anniversary model is very tempting.
The renowned Mercedes-Benz G-Class has in April marked a significant milestone as the 500,000th model rolls off the production line in Graz, Austria. Since its introduction in 1979, the G-Class has owed its growing cult status to its unique combination of distinctive design and exceptional off-road capability. For 44 years, this off-road icon has rightly remained a favorite among enthusiasts and has garnered multiple “best off-road vehicle in the world” awards.
The anniversary model pays homage to the early days of the G-Class, drawing design inspiration from the 1986 280 GE model. The vehicle features iconic elements such as the exterior color and seat pattern, providing a vintage look. With the 45th production anniversary approaching in 2024, the G-Class will retain its distinct character while continuing to evolve technologically. We assume the anniversary model will be powered by the bulletproof 4.0-liter V8 biturbo (or AMG variant) currently available.
Dr. Emmerich Schiller, Chairman and CEO of Mercedes-Benz G GmbH and Head of the Off-Road Vehicle Product Division at Mercedes-Benz AG, expressed his gratitude to loyal customers, fans, employees, and production partner Magna Steyr in Graz. He emphasized the exclusivity of the G-Class, a product that took four decades to reach the impressive milestone of 500,000 units. Dr. Schiller also revealed that the launch of the all-electric G-Class in 2024 will redefine the boundaries of the off-road sector and secure the future of this legendary vehicle.
The one-of-a-kind 500,000th G-Class model features striking design elements from its historic predecessor, such as the agave green exterior paint and the orange turn signals reminiscent of the 1970s automobile design. The interior also pays tribute to the 280 GE, with a checkered fabric seat pattern and agave green “No. 500,000” lettering on the passenger-side grab handle.
Since its debut in 1979, the G-Class has evolved from a purely commercial vehicle to a lifestyle object, retaining its iconic design and distinctive character. Iconic design elements such as the round headlamps, exposed spare wheel, and angular silhouette continue to make the G-Class easily recognizable as a descendant of the first model. The vehicle’s all-wheel drive, differential locks, and robust ladder frame have remained consistent throughout production.
Technologically, the G-Class has experienced continuous development. The most significant leap came with the 2018 relaunch, which introduced LED headlamps, modern driver assistance systems, a redesigned interior, and a new chassis. This resulted in improved safety, comfort, and driving characteristics both on and off the road.
The motto “Stronger than Time” encapsulates the current generation of the G-Class and will ring true as the vehicle enters the future with the all-electric G-Class in 2024. The electric version will maintain the design tradition of the series while setting new off-road standards. Four individually controlled electric motors and integrated batteries in the ladder frame will enable unique driving characteristics, a low center of gravity, and impressive power, controllability, and responsiveness. The future of the off-road icon is set for the adventures ahead.
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