Mercedes G-Class: 30 years anniversary but no celebrations

Instead of organizing a media-event and press test-drive to celebrate the 30th anniversary for the longest-serving series-production car, Mercedes Benz Middle East decided to just send out a so-called �08/15’ press release for the local media. The problem is that over 90 % of the local media representatives never drove a Mercedes G-Class before and therefore wouldn’t really know what this iconic G-Class is all about. We were lucky enough to drive several G-Models, like the G400 CDI and the G55 AMG, off-road and on German Autobahns before and will therefore try to pay tribute to this really outstanding car, which is now 30 years old and for which there are currently no plans to bring production to an end.

The Stuttgart-based car maker first unveiled this robust off-roader to the public in 1979 and has delivered a total of some 200,000 units of the G-Class to customers around the world.

“Its striking appearance, which has remained substantially unchanged throughout its 30-year career, plus outstanding engineering, has secured this Mercedes-Benz off-roader cult status particularly in the Middle East and Levant, and made it one of the most coveted vehicles of its type,� said Frank Bernthaler, Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars,Middle East & Levant.

This model family, which is acknowledged to be the best in the off-road sector, bears the succinct "G" prefix in addition to the Mercedes star, has won the Paris-Dakar Rally, become an automotive styling icon, continues to emerge victorious in reader votes and represents the gene pool for the Mercedes-Benz SUV family, which has meanwhile grown to five model series.

And that’s not all. With a production life of 30 years, the �G’ is easily the longest-serving passenger car series in the more than 120-year history of Mercedes-Benz.

Continuous model updates have kept G-Class up to the latest technological development status and guarantee a superior drive system, but without diluting its essential character. Thanks to a combination of permanent all-wheel drive, the electronically controlled traction system 4ETS, ESP?®, a â€?low-range’ gearbox and three selectable differential locks, the G-Class is equal to any off-road challenge while ensuring the handling safety expected of a Mercedes on the road.

The development of an off-road vehicle began in 1972, with a co-operation agreement between Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Graz, Austria. In 1975 the decision was taken to commence series production facilities in Graz, where the G-Class is still mainly hand-assembled to this day.

When the series was premiered in spring 1979, four engine variants were available with outputs from 72 hp to 150 hp, either as a Convertible with a short wheelbase or a Station Wagon with a short or long wheelbase.

After continuous model facelifts and further development during the first ten years, a major development step was taken in 1989, when the G-family had offspring. As an addition to the revised original model with the in-house series designation 460, which was in future to be destined mainly for utility-oriented users, the range was extended with the 463-series models. With new, permanent all-wheel drive, differential locks at the front and rear axles, which now became standard equipment, and a fully lockable inter-axle differential, these marked a new technical departure. ABS also became available as an optional extra. The completely redesigned interior impressed with new comfort features such as new seats, interior body panels, a centre console, a new dashboard and exotic wood trim.

Since September 2001 the G-Class has also featured the trailblazing handling stability, traction and braking control systems ESP?®, 4ETS and Brake Assist.

The current model family is available in three body variants (short-wheelbase Station Wagon, long-wheelbase Station Wagon, Convertible), which come with powerful 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine with 388 hp and 530 newton metres. The most popular top-of-the-range G 55 AMG, which is available only as a four-door, long-wheelbase Station Wagon, has a supercharged V8-engine generating an output of 507 hp and an impressive maximum torque of 700 newton metres. The result is shattering performance that goes together with an incomparable sound to characterise this particularly sporty version.

Another important model in the range is the G-Guard, which is based on the long-wheelbase G 500 Station Wagon. This fully-armoured special protection G-Class is certificated to protection class B6 or B7 against attacks with handguns, rifles and explosive charges of defined size.

I hope Mercedes Benz Middle East will pay a better tribute to the iconic G-Class when it celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2019.