Pros and Cons of the Mercedes G-class
Photo by Mike Bird.
Leader for over 40 years
The Mercedes G-class, or Gelaendewagen in German (meaning offroad-wagon) has been a staple in the lineup of passenger car giant and technology and safety leader Mercedes for over 40 years, with the very first scale wooden design study completed in 1974, and actual production starting in 1978-79. Since then more than 200,000 vehicles have rolled off the factory production line located in Graz, Austria, in partnership with Magna International. Some G-wagons were also produced in CKD (Completely Knocked Down) form in various locations over the years and for different market segments (e.g. military) such as Indonesia, Algeria, France (slightly re-branded as Peugeot P4 with square headlights), and the car is (was?) known in the Austrian market as the Puch G.
The striking design with many straight edges tends to leave people with either a love or hate for the car, but no one can argue with the solid ladder chassis and heavy duty powertrain and suspension. Some models have gone around the world with over 500,000kms on the odometer on the (often diesel) engine. (source)
It comes with 3 different locks
It remains to this day one of the very few cars to come as standard with 3 differential locks at the front and rear axles, and transfer case, allowing the vehicle to keep moving forwards even if only 1 out of 4 tires had traction. It is also one of the rare vehicles that can be at home in front of the Opera House near Burj Khalifa, as it can be traversing the deserts of the Empty Quarter or Sahara.
Countless variations
Countless variations have been built over the years, ranging in wheelbase from 2400 (known as the SWB Short wheelbase version) to 2850 (long wheelbase LWB) to 3200 (extra-long wheelbase) for such vehicles as ambulances, fire trucks and camper vans. There is even an armored version that is shown at military and defense shows around the world (LAPV).
Clientele
In terms of clientele, various dignitaries and heads of state use them on a daily basis and for official occasions, and they are also favoured by some celebrities and singers (rappers?), and they are extensively modified by the main tuning houses that work on German brands (like Brabus, Lorinser, ART, Hamann, Mansory, etc), and Mercedes have their own super-luxury version as G Maybach Landaulet.
One common saying is “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, and many cars on the road aspire to look like the G-class, with one small 4x4, the Suzuki Jimny, being particularly suited for this because of the square roofline and boxy outline, resulting in a mini-G look assisted by extensive bodywork modifications. If you are seriously considering a vehicle in this market segment, don’t knock it before you try it, for it might surprise you, and it grows well on you.