The story of the G Wagon began in the early 70s when the dream of Mercedes developing a military car came to fruition. Mercedes began the transformation of the dream by initiating the development process in 1972, and in 1973 a wooden prototype was presented. In 1974 a real prototype began the testing process, where it received tests from some of the toughest conditions that existed then. In 1975 orders began being delivered to militaries, but it was not until 1979 when the first non-military G model was released.
The Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen (G-Wagon) is a go-anywhere SUV built to survive the harshest conditions, and for 40 years it has managed to prove that it’s a capable, rugged, user-friendly, and dependable all-wheel-drive vehicle.
The earlier G-Wagons were available in several body options: a two-door convertible, 2-door pickup truck, 3-door wagon, and 5-door wagon.
Used G-Class prices at BE FORWARD range between US$ 31,000 and US$ 431,000.
Engine
The G-Class comes fitted with several engines; here we will take a look at some of those engines’ specifications as seen below.
- One of the earliest engines to be fitted on the G-Wagon is the 2.3-liter (M115.973) 4-cylinder SOHC petrol engine with average fuel consumption of 6.3 km/l. This engine produces 90 horsepower and torque of 123.17 lb.ft. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 17 seconds with a maximum speed of 150 km/h.
- The turbocharged 3.0-liter (OM642 DE30) 6-cylinder diesel engine with average fuel consumption of 8.7 km/l. This engine produces 184 horsepower and torque of 295 lb.ft. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 13 seconds with a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
- The 3.2-liter (M112 E32) 6-cylinder SOHC petrol engine with average fuel consumption of 6.5 km/l. This engine produces 211 horsepower and torque of 221 lb.ft. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/l in 12.1 seconds with a maximum speed of 178 km/h.
- The bi-turbo 4.0-liter (M176) 8-cylinder SOHC engine with average fuel consumption of 7.2 km/l. This engine produces 510 horsepower and torque of 561 lb.ft. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/l in 4.5 seconds with a maximum speed of 210 km/h.
- The 4.3-liter (M113 E43) 8-cylinder SOHC engine with average fuel consumption of 8.8 km/l. This engine produces 279 horsepower and torque of 295 lb.ft. This engine accelerates 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds with a maximum speed of 250 km/h.
- The 5.0-liter (M113 E50) 8-cylinder SOHC engine with average fuel consumption of 9.2 km/l. This engine produces 306 horsepower and torque of 339 lb.ft.
- The 5.4-liter (M113 E54) 8-cylinder SOHC engine with average fuel consumption of km/l. This engine produces 348 horsepower and torque of 376 lb.ft. This engine accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds with a maximum speed of 250 km/h.
These engines transfer power to the wheels via a 4-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual, 4-speed (4G-Tronic) automatic, 5-speed (5G-Tronic) automatic, 7-speed (7G-Tronic), and 9-speed (9G-Tronic) automatic transmission.
BROWSE LOW COST MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS MODELS
Interior & Exterior
BROWSE LOW COST MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS MODELS
Interior
BROWSE LOW COST MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS MODELS
The interior looks sublimely old-fashioned but downright modern. The air vents are round; while the speakers are the indicators look alike.
The dash features a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays and an unmatched interior finishing that appeals and brims with class.
There are plenty of storage pockets and bins throughout the cabin, such as a pair of removable front cup-holders, and two others at the rear, front seat jacket pockets, an overhead sunglasses holder, and door pockets with bottle holders.
The G-class has a decent amount of headroom for all occupants. The front seats offer reasonable legroom although the large center console has eaten some of the space. At the rear, there’s adequate legroom, and the absence of the transmission tunnel is a bonus.
The G-Class has a boot capacity of 667 liters with the rear seats in place; it extends to 1,246 liters with the rear seats split-folded.
BROWSE LOW COST MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS MODELS
Exterior
BROWSE LOW COST MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS MODELS
The exterior looks of the G-Wagon have almost been maintained throughout the years to an extent that some people can’t tell the difference between previous models and current models. The designers of the G-Class are trading by the rule ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it’. Mercedes are treading carefully making sure they don’t overdo styling makeover of the icon.
But don’t get us wrong, the G-Class has kept on evolving with an all-new model available, it features completely redesigned body panels and an overhauled chassis.
Even though the G-Class is new with several new features, but it still managed to keep its identity, from its distinctive door handles, the door closure sound, the spare wheel on the tailgate, and the indicators that sit atop the front wings.
Features
From its inception, the G-Class has evolved and it keeps evolving even at 42 years. Earlier models by today’s standards were not equipped with many features, but what they had then was enough at the time. So much has changed in the auto industry with respect to technology and safety and the G-Class was not left behind. Here we list some of the latest technology and safety/driver-assist features included in the latest G-Class models.
The G-Class comes fitted with a Mercedes COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data System) infotainment system with a 12.3-inch display controlled using a touchpad controller and scroll wheel on the center console, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 15 speakers, Bluetooth, two USB ports navigation, and satellite radio. Other standard features include heated front and rear seats, massaging front seats, heated steering wheel, three-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, a sunroof, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.
Standard driver assistance/safety features include a rearview camera, a tire pressure control system, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, active brake assist, rear cross-traffic alert, park assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, and Mercedes’ Pre-Safe.
Verdict
Daimler has built a reputation for building reliable executive vehicles for years. Of all cars to have ever come out of their production line none has the reputation for reliability as the G-Class. The G-Class is the ultimate ride that encompasses luxury, reliability, robustness, and zeal like no other.
Please visit BE FORWARD and find your G-Class from our extensive list.
Originally published May 11, 2020, updated Aug 19, 2021
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I am a Telecom & ICT specialist with a career spanning over 15 years in the demanding Tanzanian telecom industry.
I am also an avid DIYer with a good knack for everything technical and a wealth of vocational skills, with automotive being the top, and here I am writing about cars.
In 2017 a guy created a WhatsApp group called MyCar for the sole purpose of members helping each other with all matters regarding cars. I joined this group in 2018, and with my enormous wealth of knowledge regarding cars, and my readiness to share the knowledge with others, I became a top contributor, and that didn’t go unnoticed, as one member thought I was a potential writer and had contacts with Be Forward Japan who were looking for writers then. Fast forward to January 2020, I began writing for the Be Forward blog with 2024 being my fourth year.
As far as I can remember, I love cars, and growing up in the farming and tourist city of Arusha Tanzania in the ’80s and ’90s, I ended up being drawn to the Ranger Rover Classic for leisure and Land Cruiser 70 pickup as a workhorse. These were tough cars then, cars that could take you anywhere any time no matter the weather.
