5 Issues You Would possibly Not Know In regards to the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

With its distinctive boxy form and domineering presence, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been turning heads for over 4 many years. Whereas seen in fashionable occasions as an emblem of success, the G comes from trustworthy roots, constructed to deal with the world’s most treacherous terrain since its inception. Revered by hedonists and purists alike and fondly adopted by everybody from Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Pope, the G-Class has change into an unmissable silhouette synonymous with journey and luxurious. Because the G-Wagon passes the historic milestone of 500,000 items, we take a while to dive into the car’s wealthy historical past, design, and options which make it a real icon of the automotive business.

The First Mannequin, the 280 GE, Was Made On Request for the Shah of Iran

Within the ’70s, the Shah of Iran, who was a key shareholder at Daimler on the time, commissioned 20,000 vehicles to be made for navy use in his empire. To meet the huge endeavor, Mercedes-Benz sought the assistance of Austrian navy tools producer Steyr-Daimler-Puch. After years of testing and improvement, which took the staff in all places from the Sahara desert to the Artic Circle, the G-Wagon was formally launched in 1979. Mercedes realized that with slight modifications, the SUV might be offered as a shopper car, and it was later made out there to the general public in brief and long-wheelbase choices. Adjusting to shifting calls for, the G-Wagon was rebranded right into a luxurious car in 1998, giving delivery to the time period “G-Class.”

Each G-Class Is Hand-Constructed within the Similar Manufacturing unit

Since its inception, each mannequin of the G-Class has been constructed by hand in Graz Austria at Magna Steyr Vehicle Firm. The plant isn’t a part of the luxurious automaker’s community. As a substitute, it’s run by Magna Steyr, the biggest car contract producer on this planet which additionally produces for BMW, Jaguar, Toyota, and others. Roughly 25,000 G-Class automobiles are made there annually together with round 5,000 allotted for the navy.

The “G” Stands for “Geländewagen”

Every Mercedes-Benz letter class is an abbreviation. The S-Class is brief for “Sonderklasse” which is German for particular class, E-Class stands for “Einspritzmotor” which interprets to gas injection engine, and the “G” is brief for Geländewagen which merely means all-terrain car.

The Cabin is Designed to Accommodate Bobbing Helmets

As the unique G-Class premiered as a navy and utility car, it was designed to offer sufficient lateral and vertical area for fully-geared troopers whereas driving in excessive off-road circumstances. The G-Class’ squarish proportions which accommodate these wants stay kind of unchanged to this present day because it continues to serve the militaries of over 40 nations. Whereas largely used for transport functions, the car is extremely malleable and constructed to hold heavy hundreds and add-ons similar to physique armor, machine gun turrets, and numerous fight tools.

All G-Class Autos Should Conquer Schöckl Mountain

Because the starting, each G-Class should show that it will probably conquer a 5.6 km route on Schöckl, a neighborhood mountain in Graz, Austria. Mercedes-Benz considers the climb “one of many biggest challenges for man and expertise worldwide” with gradients of as much as 60% and aspect slopes of as much as 40%. Earlier than being accepted for manufacturing, every G-Class undergoes greater than 2,000 km (1,243 miles) of testing.