MB300E87
05-23-2003, 02:10 AM
When Mercedes-Benz introduced the M-class SUV to the World people in the US were stunned that the maker of fine sedans and roadsters would stumble into the off-road or SUV market. Few knew that for decades a large, powerful, and indestructible vehicle known as the G-class had been quietly scaling mountains, crossing rivers, and forging new paths for decades.
The G-class’s beginnings are a bit more unique than its brothers in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. It started as a co-production between Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG as either an open top short wheel base truck or a long wheel base station wagon or delivery truck. Immediately after its inception a multitude of engine and interior changes and upgrades were made including the cabrio version featuring a power operated top. As time went on the G-class began to resemble its siblings in terms of fit and finish and interior comfort.
The G-class, or “G-wagen” as it has been nicknamed, has been used by the German, Dutch, and Austrian armies as a transport and all around workhorse; quite an uncommon start for a Mercedes-Benz. That is exactly what the G-class is though. While vehicles such as the Land Rover, another luxo-off-roader, are recognized and accepted by the general public, the G-class remains the oddball of the automotive world. It is loved for its unique beauty and at the same time hated for the same qualities that make it beautiful in many people’s eyes. It has stayed out of the spotlight for its entire life and even today when it is sold in the US it is still misunderstood. However the G-class also enjoys a fanatical group of fans who love to explain how the G-class has been said to be the best off-road vehicle ever produced for the general public and that Land Rovers won’t even go into the places the G-class has been.
The G-class certainly does deserve the praise it has received from its loyal group of fans. Driver operated differential locks, water proof door seals for forging rivers, a super strong chassis, excellent ride height, and powerful engines make this off-roader very capable of traversing difficult terrain. It is curious though that since the G’s introduction to the states, its image has been changed slightly. More people have taken notice and its been seen as a symbol of wealth (as seen in many music videos). True the G has always been very expensive but up until recently it has always remained out of sight because of its rarity and the presence of Land Rover and other luxo-off-road vehicles. Throughout its lifetime though the G-class has always been an extremely tough vehicle that serves its owners well. Born a Mercedes-Benz and yet uniquely its own breed of vehicle matched by no other.
The G-class’s beginnings are a bit more unique than its brothers in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. It started as a co-production between Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG as either an open top short wheel base truck or a long wheel base station wagon or delivery truck. Immediately after its inception a multitude of engine and interior changes and upgrades were made including the cabrio version featuring a power operated top. As time went on the G-class began to resemble its siblings in terms of fit and finish and interior comfort.
The G-class, or “G-wagen” as it has been nicknamed, has been used by the German, Dutch, and Austrian armies as a transport and all around workhorse; quite an uncommon start for a Mercedes-Benz. That is exactly what the G-class is though. While vehicles such as the Land Rover, another luxo-off-roader, are recognized and accepted by the general public, the G-class remains the oddball of the automotive world. It is loved for its unique beauty and at the same time hated for the same qualities that make it beautiful in many people’s eyes. It has stayed out of the spotlight for its entire life and even today when it is sold in the US it is still misunderstood. However the G-class also enjoys a fanatical group of fans who love to explain how the G-class has been said to be the best off-road vehicle ever produced for the general public and that Land Rovers won’t even go into the places the G-class has been.
The G-class certainly does deserve the praise it has received from its loyal group of fans. Driver operated differential locks, water proof door seals for forging rivers, a super strong chassis, excellent ride height, and powerful engines make this off-roader very capable of traversing difficult terrain. It is curious though that since the G’s introduction to the states, its image has been changed slightly. More people have taken notice and its been seen as a symbol of wealth (as seen in many music videos). True the G has always been very expensive but up until recently it has always remained out of sight because of its rarity and the presence of Land Rover and other luxo-off-road vehicles. Throughout its lifetime though the G-class has always been an extremely tough vehicle that serves its owners well. Born a Mercedes-Benz and yet uniquely its own breed of vehicle matched by no other.