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Mercedes-Benz Looks to the Past to Celebrate Production of its Half-Millionth G-Wagen

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The luxury SUV market was barely even a concept when Mercedes-Benz introduced its Gelandewagen in 1979. Originally conceived as a military off-roader, it was hardly the luxury sled we know today, powered by a range of 4-, 5- or 6-cylinder diesel engines and sparsely equipped with manual windows, cloth seats and no air conditioning.

North America’s history with the G-Wagen is considerably shorter (and far different than the rest of the world’s) as the iconic 4×4 didn’t become an official offering in US dealers until 2002 when it was finally able to meet strict safety standards. By then, the luxury SUV market was white hot, and the American-spec G was loaded to top spec with twin-turbo V8 and even V12 power available, wearing sumptuous leather and wood interiors, and availing its well-heeled buyers all the modern conveniences found in a contemporary S-Class.

In the dark decades in between, Europa G-Wagen, a small firm in New Mexico handled personal imports of pre-luxe G-Wagens during the Eighties heyday of the Gray Market. And what they brought in was a mix of 2-door soft tops, and 3- and 5-door hardtop station wagons. The offerings were more akin to Land Rover’s Defender than the more upmarket Range Rover, for comparison’s sake. Simple, honest, rugged off-roaders designed to get a fortunate few to their most remote destinations.

G 500 – Informationen über WLTP Verbrauchs- und Emissionswerte:334 g/km (CO₂-Emissionen gesamt, kombiniert), 14.7l/100km (Verbrauch gesamt, kombiniert). Die angegebenen Werte sind die ermittelten „WLTP-CO2-Werte i.S.v. Art. 2 Nr. 3 Durchführungsverordnung (EU) 2017/1153. Die Kraftstoffverbrauchswerte wurden auf Basis dieser Werte errechnet. // G 500 – Information about WLTP fuel consumption and emission values:334 g/km (total CO₂ emissions, combined), 14.7l/100km (total consumption, combined).The values stated are the determined “WLTP CO2 values” within the meaning of Art. 2 No. 3 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated on the basis of these figures.

To recognize the achievement of having produced 500,000 Gelandewagen vehicles since 1979, Mercedes-Benz has reached back to those simpler early days. Well, not all the way back. The half-millionth G-Wagen is modeled after a 1986 280 GE. But it is a retro dream finished in period-correct Agave Green paint with black grille and fender arches and lined with check cloth upholstery.

The half-millionth G-Wagen arrives just as Mercedes-Benz prepares for the enduring model’s 45th anniversary, which will include an all-electric version of the iconic SUV. No word on where #500,000 will I’ve, but we suspect it will make a world tour for publicity before retiring to the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart.

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