History and description of the Mercedes-Benz G-class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class — a mid-size luxury SUV with all-wheel drive (SUV, J-segment), produced by the Austrian automaker Magna Steyr from 1979 to the present. Often called G-Wagen, which is an abbreviation of the German word "Geländewagen", which translates as "off-road vehicle". The body is 5-door and is mounted on a frame. The appearance of the car has changed little over the entire period of production.

The engine is located in front under the hood longitudinally, the torque drive is carried out on all wheels. The main competitors of the Gelendvagen are cars Audi Q7, BMW X6, Chevrolet Tahoe, Infiniti QX56, Cadillac Escalade, Hummer H2, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus LX, Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan Patrol, Porsche Cayenne, Toyota Land Cruiser and UAZ Hunter.

The initiator of the production of the SUV was the Iranian Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, who in the 1970s was a shareholder in Mercedes-Benz (about 18% of the shares). He needed military vehicles for his army and ordered 20,000 units. The development of the car began in 1972, the developers' goal was off-road capability, as well as comfort and safety. Mercedes-Benz engineers were responsible for the project and design, and Steyr-Daimler-Puch (today Magna Steyr) developed production plans. The first wooden model was built in 1973, and prototypes were tested in different climates in 1974.

First generation (W460, W461, 1979−1990)

W460

In 1975, the first Geländewagen was assembled by hand. In 1977, construction began on a plant in Gratz, Austria, and in 1979, production of the civilian model began, with sales beginning that same year. It was offered with a short wheelbase (SWB) of 2,400 mm and a long wheelbase (LWB) of 2,850 mm. It was possible to choose one of three body styles - a 2-door convertible with a short wheelbase, a 3-door station wagon with a short wheelbase, and a 4-door station wagon with a long wheelbase. The car was popular with the military and those who liked to knead the mud.

The W460 range of petrol engines included the following models: 2.0-litre "200 GE" (M102, I4, 113 and 116 hp), 2.3 liters "230 G" (M115, I4, 90 and 102 hp), 2.3 liters "230 GE" (M102, I4, 122 and 125 hp) and 2.8 liters "280 GE" (M110, I6, 150 and 156 hp). Diesel engines were presented in the following volumes - 2.4 liters "240 GD" (OM616, I4, 72 hp), 2.5 liters "250 GD" (OM602, I4, 84 hp) and 3.0 liters "300 GD" (OM617, I4, 88 hp). The engine was located in the front longitudinally, all-wheel drive, and there were also rear-wheel drive models. The gearbox was a 4- or 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.

W461

The "W460" model was produced until 1990, after its end, the production of the military model "W461" began, which was produced until 2001. This car is still in service in 20 countries. The body was produced with a short and long wheelbase. The car is visually different from the second generation of the civilian "W463", which has also been produced since 1990.

The W461 model was equipped with a single 2.3-liter gasoline engine "230 GE" / "G 230" (M102, I4,126 hp)There were six modifications of diesel engines - 2.7 liters "G 270 CDI Worker" (OM612, I5, turbo, 158 l. With.), 2.9 liters "290 GD" / "G 290 DIESEL" (OM602, I5, 95 hp), 2.9 liters "290 GD T" / "G 290 TURBODIESEL" (OM602, I5, turbo, 120 hp) and 3.0 liters "G 280 CDI" (OM642, V6, turbo, 184 hp).

G-Class, W460, cabriolet

G-Class, W460, interior

G-Class, W460, trunk

Second generation (W463, 1990−2018)

The chassis of the car was heavily redesigned and in 1990 the G-Class with the code "W463" was introduced. The car was equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS), permanent all-wheel drive with three electronically locking differentials. The interior was also seriously redesigned, wood inserts and leather began to be used, which improved the appearance of the cabin and increased comfort. The engine was located longitudinally in the front. The dimensions of the car increased slightly during the long life of the generation. The length was 4661-4714 mm, width 1760-1824 mm, height 1836-1976. The curb weight was from 1955 to 2600 kg. The aerodynamic drag coefficient of the body (C_x) was equal to 0.54.

The line of gasoline engines throughout history looked like this:

• 2.0 liters "200GE" (1997 cm³, M102 E20, I4, 118 hp, from 1990 to 1994)
• 2.3 liters "230GE" (2299 cm³, M102 E23, I4, 126 hp, from 1990 to 1995)
• 3.0 liters "300GE" (2960 cm³, M103 E30, I6, 170 hp, from 1990 to 1994)
• 3.2 liters "G320" (3199 cm³, M104 E32, I6, 210 hp, from 1994 to 1997)
• 3.2 liter "G320 V6" (3199 cm³, M112 E32, V6, 210 hp, from 1997 to 2005)
• 5.0 liters "500GE V8" (4973 cm³, M117 E50, V8, 241 hp, from 1993 to 1994)
• 5.0 liters "G500" (4966 cm³, M113 E50, V8, 296 hp, from 1999 to 2007)
• 5.5 liters "G500" (5461 cm³, M273 E55, V8, 388 hp, from 2007 to 2015)
• 4.0 liter "G500 4x4²" (3982 cm³, M176 DE40AL, V8, 422 hp, from 2015 to 2018)

Diesel engines are the following models:

• 2.5 liters "250GD" (2497 cm³, OM602 D25, I5, 94 hp, from 1990 to 1992)
• 2.7 liter "G270 CDI" (2685 cm³, OM612 DE27LA, I5, 156 hp, from 2002 to 2006)
• 3.0 liters "300GD" / "G300 Diesel" (2996 cm³, OM603, I6, 113 hp, from 1990 to 1994)
• 3.0 liters "G300 Turbodiesel" (2996 cm³, OM606 DE30LA, I6, 177 hp, from 1997 to 2001)
• 3.0 liter "G320 CDI" 2987(cm³, OM642 DE30LA, V6, 224 hp, from 2006 to 2009)
• 3.5 liters "350GD Turbo" / "G350 Turbodiesel" (3449 cm³, OM603 DE35LA, I6, 136 hp, from 1992 to 1996)
• 3.0 liters "G350 BlueTEC" (2987 cm³, OM642 DE30LA, V6, 208 hp, from 2010 to 2015)
• 3.0 liter "G350 CDI" (2987 cm³, OM642 DE30LA, V6, 224 hp, from 2009 to 2010)
• 3.0 liter "G350 d" (2987 cm³, OM642 DE30LA, V6, 245 hp, from 2015 to 2018)
• 3.0 liter "G300 CDI" (2987 cm³, OM642 DE30LA red., V6, 180 hp, from 2012 to 2018)
• 4.0 liter "G400 CDI" (3996 cm³, OM628 DE40LA, V8, 250 hp, from 2001 to 2005)

Only automatic 5- or 7-speed gearboxes were installed.

During the production of the W463, the car was constantly improved. The first update happened in 1994. The engine line was updated, a central lock was made, an immobilizer was installed, the front wheels were equipped with ventilated disc brakes. In 1996, a 2-door convertible with a soft top was introduced. Airbags were included in the basic package. In 1997, new engines were added and outdated ones were removed.

In 1999, the "G500" modification received a new steering wheel with buttons and an information display, and the arrangement of the buttons on the instrument panel was changed. In 2000, the car's interior was updated. A "Command" multimedia unit appeared, new door trim, the arrangement of the lock switches was slightly changed, and a 4-liter diesel engine with a fuel injection system appeared "Common Rail". In 2001, the instrument panel was changed, a multifunctional steering wheel, climate control, rain sensor began to be installed, the automatic transmission became with the "Tiptronic" function. Also, changes affected the external lighting.

In 2006, bi-xenon headlights were installed, the design of the front and rear optics, the "Command" multimedia unit and the dashboard were changed. A rear-view camera appeared, showing the image on the screen when reversing, and a tire pressure monitoring system also appeared. In 2008, a Bluetooth hands-free system, a six-disc CD changer and a Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound system appeared. In 2009, the radiator grille and wheel disks were refreshed. The front and rear seats were modernized. The interior was also updated, new multimedia functions were added.

The next restyling of the model was carried out in 2012. Daytime running lights were installed on the outside, and the exterior mirrors now have turn signals. There are more changes inside - a new control panel, a central console and a large color display. Many driver assistance systems were added.

Third generation (W463, 2018−present)

The third generation was shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (USA) on January 14, 2018. The design of the car has retained its uniqueness, and the external dimensions have grown slightly and are 4725 mm long, 1931 mm wide and 1969 mm high. The curb weight is 2354-2485 kg. Since the company representatives reported that the new generation is a deep restyling of the previous one, they decided to keep the code "W463".

For now, the car is only equipped with a 4.0-liter "G 500" petrol engine (3982 cm³, M176 DE40LA, V8, twin-turbo, 416 l. With.). Automatic transmission 9-speed "9G-Tronic".

G-Class, W463, 2018 year, side view

G-Class, W463, 2018 year, back view

G-Class, W463, 2018 year, interior