Timeless, capable, and true to its roots
There are a few vehicles that have achieved iconic status—iconic in the way that most people would, at the very least, recognize them, even if they couldn’t specify the exact model. For cars, the VW Beetle and the Porsche 911 come to mind, and for SUVs and off-road types of vehicles, the Jeep and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class would be two at the top of the list.
The G-Wagen—short for Geländewagen, which translates to terrain-wagon—has humble roots. Known around the globe as the G-Wagen, its genesis comes from a request by the Shah of Iran in the early 1970s for Daimler-Benz to build a smaller military vehicle capable of going off-road. Since then, the G-Wagen has been used by numerous armies across the world, and in 1979, it was finally offered as a civilian vehicle.
Mercedes has refined the G-Wagen over the years, but a few things have remained constant—the first being its extensive capability. The G-Wagen has retained its staggering off-road competence even as it has moved into the ultra-luxury market. It is a remarkably rugged vehicle, able to traverse the most brutal of terrain and environments. In fact, it is one of the very few civilian vehicles offering three locking differentials.
Another constant is its stubborn, boxy shape. Unyielding in the face of modern trends and barely evolved over the decades, the styling is part of the G-Class’s iconic nature.
Today’s G-Wagen maintains its ageless design and capacity to handle any driving situation, but with a wealth of the manufacturer’s most advanced technology and luxurious touches.
In Canada, buyers can choose from two models, the G 550, which comes with everything a discerning buyer could ever want, and the fire-breathing G 63 AMG, which takes all the G 550 has to offer, and ramps up the performance and luxury to another level.
Both drivetrains combine twin-turbo 4L V8 engines; the G 550 with 416 horsepower and the G 63 with 577 hp, 9-speed transmission and of course, the world-famous 4-wheel drive system.
Inside, the G-Class’s state-of-the-art cabin is all business. From its upright seating position and commanding view of the road to its uncomplicated cockpit, it is everything a driver and passenger need and want without compromising its role. The crisp digital dash and the central screen allow the driver to access and control all of the vehicle’s functions. Materials are the best the industry has to offer. Exquisitely crafted and artfully furnished, the G-Wagen is built almost entirely by hand.
If you want to make your G-Class all your own, an incredibly extensive selection of paint and trim options are offered through Mercedes’ MANUFAKTUR program, allowing for almost limitless personalization.
Iconic design, modern innovations, unsurpassed luxury, and uncompromising capability. This is the legendary G-Class. It moves to its own compass.
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