At its launch in 1979, few would have imagined the G-Class’ line would continue unbroken for 46 years and rise to the status of a legendary cult car
As cars evolve through successive generations, the latest incarnation is often very far removed from the original in terms of technology and design, especially if this evolution takes place over multiple decades.
However, as the proverbial “they” often says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
This is clearly something that Mercedes-Benz has taken to heart, especially if the iconic geländewagen (all-terrain vehicle), or G-Class, is any indication.
The key design elements and its distinctive silhouette that make the “G” a “G” have stayed true through all the years, even in spite of the subtle nips and tucks to the overall aesthetics and huge leaps in off-road tackling technology.
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The history of the G can be traced back to 1971, when two of Europe’s best manufacturers, Daimler-Benz AG and Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, cooperated to produce an off-roading vehicle, coupled with a versatile handling ability that could conquer extreme climate and terrain.
Utilising their respective expertise from earlier projects such as the Mercedes-Benz Unimog and Steyr-Daimler-Puch’s Haflinger and the Pinzgauer, the “G” project’s technical direction landed with Erich Ledwinka, the Chief Engineer of the latter manufacturer, with fabled automobile designer Bruno Sacco, who was then Mercedes-Benz’s Chief Designer, in charge of styling.
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The German-Austrian collaboration took the word ‘utility vehicle’ literally. Since it was conceived to offer the utmost utility, the G-Class got its iconic look from the optimisation of space through design.
The ladder-frame chassis on which it was built allowed it to lift well beyond its weight, and it could remain ruggedly capable in hostile environments. It was subject to extensive testing in the sweltering conditions of the Sahara Desert and the harshest of sub-zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle.
Led with passion and enthusiasm, it only took them less than five years since the Concept “G” was carved from wood, to its on- and off-road testing a year later, with its technical specifications laid out in 1975.
The world premiere of the G-Class happened in France, Toulon, in 1979, with Mercedes-Benz touting it as a true all-terrain conqueror, yet it was coupled with utmost practicality.
This unique offering caught the general public by surprise, since there was no indication that Mercedes-Benz had any interest in venturing into the creation of off-roading vehicles.
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The original G-Class was a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to offering the ultimate, off-road SUV, with utmost attention paid to its drivetrain.
Apart from two different wheelbases and five different body variants, power was generated from a choice of 2.0- or 3.0-litre diesel or petrol engines and was only initially offered with a manual transmission (pictured above).
It was for the first time, however, that the G-Class became extremely well known for its three fully locking differentials, a feature that was even-tually standardised in 1985 and is still found in the modern G-Class models.
The G proved so popular that a specially-designed (and later projectile-proof) G-Class cabriolet was gifted to Pope John Paul II in 1980, a tradition that would endure for 45 years.
Mercedes-Benz would present the late Pope Francis with a “Popemobile” based on the all-electric G580 with EQ Technology (pictured above) in December 2024.
Demand continued to run high for a G-Class well into the late 1980s, thanks in part to the car’s 1983 Paris-Dakar Rally victory.
Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur took top honours behind the wheel of a 280 GE G-Glass, which completed the gruelling race by overcoming the most arduous and challenging off-road conditions known to man and machine.
Despite its rugged and iconic boxy appearance, the arrival of the 1990s did not change the G-Class’s exterior dramatically. While largely retaining its original design – save for minor exterior revisions – its dynamic abilities were greatly improved with the addition of ABS and electronic-locking differentials that succeeded its mechanical predecessor.
A four-speed automatic transmission was also added for ease of driving, and soon Mercedes-Benz began noticing a new demographic – luxury buyers who bought the G-Class as a new symbol of status. Interior offerings multiplied, which included fine wood and ruffled leather trims, an updated climate control and more comfortable seat padding.
A V8-engined G 500 was soon offered as a regular production model in 1998, which followed a short “trial” run of 446 units between 1993 to 1994 (the 500 GE V8).
By 1999, AMG had worked its magic on the G-Class and created the G 55, a powerhouse with amazing off-roading prowess and visible performance cues, such as larger alloys, brushed aluminium guards and the distinctive side-exit exhaust pipes, elements that can still be seen on the latest G 63.
So unwavering was the demand for the G-Class that its production line at its birthplace in Graz kept flowing, and eventually, in August this year, the plant produced its 600,000th G-Class, a true testament to how sometimes, some things shouldn’t be changed for the sake of change.
STORY Aaron Hia
