Mercedes-Benz G-Class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | |
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| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Parent company | Daimler-Benz (1979-1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998-2007) Daimler AG (2008-present) |
| Production | 1979-present |
| Assembly | Graz, Austria |
| Class | Mid-size sport utility vehicle |
| Layout | Front engine / Four-wheel drive |
For G-class stars, see Stellar classification.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagen, short for Geländewagen (or cross-country vehicle), is a four-wheel drive vehicle / sport utility vehicle (SUV) produced by German automaker Mercedes-Benz. It was borne by proposals for a military vehicle in the early 1970s by the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran, a major Daimler-Benz shareholder. Developed in co-operation with the Austrian car manufacturer Steyr-Daimler-Puch,[1] production of the G-Class began in 1979 with the 460 Series models.[2] The G-Class has been sold under the Puch name in certain markets, and the Peugeot P4 is a variant made under license, with a Peugeot engine and other equipment. It an expensive and the largest SUV produced by Mercedes-Benz.[3]
Mercedes-Benz secured military contracts for the vehicle in the late 1970s and offered a civilian version to the public in 1979. Designed to be a durable, reliable, and rugged off-roader, the G-wagen utilizes three fully locking differentials (one of the few vehicles sold in the U.S. to have such, along with the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Toyota 80-series Land Cruiser, Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle, and Mercedes-Benz Unimog). Among the engines offered in the G-Class for the 2004 model year is a 5.5-litre V8.
Marking its 25th anniversary, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG was relaunched as the G55 Kompressor or G55K and received a boost in power, thanks to a 5.5-liter, supercharged V8 developing 469 hp (350 kW) and 516 lb·ft (700 N·m). of torque.
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[edit] History
The G-Wagen was first offered for sale in 1979 and redesigned in 1990/1991. A new version was expected for 2007, but the new GL-Class will not replace the G-Wagen and it will continue to be hand-built in Graz, Austria at an annual production rate of 4,000 to 6,000 units.
[edit] W460/W461
| W460 | |
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| Production | 1979-1991 |
| Body style(s) | 2-door SWB convertible 2-door SWB SUV/Van 2-door LWB Van 4-door LWB SUV |
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz W460 |
| Engine(s) | 2.0L/4 cyl., 2.3L/4 cyl. and 2.8L/6 cyl. petrol, 2.4L/4 cyl., 2.5L/5 cyl. and 3.0L/5 cyl. diesel |
| Transmission(s) | 4 sp. and 5. sp. manual, 4 sp. auto |
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in (2400 mm) or 112.2 in (2850 mm) |
The original W460 G-Wagen went on sale for civilian buyers in the model year 1979. It was offered with two wheelbases, a short wheel base (SWB) of 2400 mm and a long one (LWB) of 2850 mm. One could choose between three body styles: A 2-door SWB convertible, a 2-door SWB wagon and a LWB 4-door wagon. The two wagons were also available as windowless 2-door Van (or 'Kastenwagen' in German).
During the G-wagens impressive life span many a different body style was made for army and public-service clients, like the Popemobile, the pickup or the chassis/cab with a wheel base of 2850, 3120 or 3400 mm, the chassis/cab being the base vehicle for army-ambulances or communication vehicles. Please note that, because of the sheer variety of military versions, this article is mainly about the somewhat more standardized civilian G-Wagen.
The W460 was popular with military and off-road enthusiasts, with more than 50,000 built in the first decade. The vehicle was not offered in the United States officially, but by means of "casual importation" grey-market in the mid-1980s, importers were successful in selling some G-Wagens (mostly W463s) that had been modified to meet US DOT specifications for around $135,000.
| W461 | |
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| Production | 1991-2001 |
| Body style(s) | 2-door SWB SUV 2-door LWB Van 4-door LWB SUV |
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz W461 |
| Engine(s) | 2.3L/4 cyl. petrol, 2.9L/5 cyl. diesel, 2.9L/5 cyl. turbo diesel |
| Transmission(s) | 5 sp. manual, 4 sp. auto |
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in (2400 mm) or 112.2 in (2850 mm) |
The production of the W460 ended August 1991. It was replaced by the all but identical W461. Initially, engine choices were limited to the four cylinder 230GE petrol- and five cylinder 290GD diesel engine. The W460 'cabrio' version was skipped. From 1997 the W461 sported a slightly updated interior with better seats, changed door panels and an updated dash. From this time, the W461 was only available as 290GD Turbo Diesel with 4-speed automatic transmission. The petrol engine was dropped. Disc brakes all around became standard and the bell-housing of the front axle was changed to accommodate larger reduction-gears. The exterior and other mechanics changed little, not even the model badge which kept indicating 290GD.
The main technical difference between the W460/461 and W463 model, apart from the choice of engines, gearboxes and heavy-duty suspension, is the layout of the drive train. Whilst the W463 offers full-time 4WD, the W460/461 is basically rear wheel drive with manually selectable 4WD. This means that these models do not have a centre differential, thus no centre diff-lock. Only front and rear locking differentials are needed to obtain a fully locked drive train. The front lockers were not fitted as standard, but as a factory-fitted option. The difflocks are manually operated using hydraulic levers next to the transfer case selector handle.
Other differences between W460/461 and W463 models are mainly cosmetic. From the front,the W460/461 can be easily recognized by its grille and headlight covers which differ slightly from the W463 and are always black (on a factory standard car), even if the rest of the bodywork is not. If fitted, wheel arch extenders are made of unfinished plastic, thus also black. Furthermore are the rear view mirrors mounted on the front doors in stead of being mounted at the base of the A-pillar. The model badge is integrated in the base of the mirror. Finally, from behind, the biggest differences are the fuel cap, which is not covered on the W460/461, and the arrangement of the taillights and bumpers.
The last and most notable difference can be found inside the car. Where the W463 is very luxurious (wood/leather/electrics etc.), the simpler model is quite basic, with a dash and trim that closely resembles the original vehicles from the late 70's. Apart from the choice of rugged materials, some luxuries like automatic transmission (standard on the 290GD TD), power steering (standard on W461), ABS, drivers airbag, central locking, engine pre-heater, air conditioning (rare), heated seats and electric windows were available for the W460/461. Since 2001 the W461 is no longer available for civilian customers. With its demise the very last Mercedes-Benz sporting the old naming-scheme vanished. The 290GD TD was never rebadged as G290 TD.
[edit] W463
| W463 | |
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| Production | 1990-present |
| Body style(s) | 2-door SWB convertible 2-door SWB SUV 4-door LWB SUV |
| Platform | Mercedes-Benz W463 |
| Engine(s) | 5.0L 296 hp (221 kW) V8 5.4L 469 hp (350 kW) supercharged V8 2.9L V6 |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in (2400 mm) or 112.2 in (2850 mm) |
| Length | Pre-2003: 183.5 in (4661 mm) 2004-Present: 185.6 in (4714 mm) (LWB) |
| Width | Pre-2003: 69.3 in (1760 mm) 2004-Present: 71.3 in (1811 mm) AMG: 73.4 in (1864 mm) |
| Height | 2004-Present: 77.8 in (1976 mm) Pre-2003: 72.3 in (1836 mm) |
The chassis was revised for 1990 as the W463 with anti-lock brakes, full-time 4WD and a full trio of electronically-locking differentials. The interior was totally upgraded, finished with wooden accents and optional leather upholstery. The W463 client had a larger choice of engines, the preliminary apex being the V8-powered 500GE in 1993. This catered more of a luxury than off-road crowd with only center and rear differential locks and an even more luxurious cabin. The 500GE was produced in limited numbers for just two years. All W463 G-Wagens began using Mercedes-Benz's new letter-first naming scheme in 1994.
The range was refreshed again in 1997, including the introduction of a power-topped convertible and two new engines, the 2.9 L Turbo Diesel and the V6-powered (M112 motor) G320 - previous years' G320s were outfitted with the M104 I6. The V8 G-wagen returned with a new engine in 1998 as the G500, with official sales beginning in the United States in 2002 at $75,000. The 349 hp (260 kW) G55 AMG cemented the vehicle in the American market with many snapped up by celebrities. The most powerful V8, the 476 hp (355 kW) (later 500 hp (370 kW)) G55 AMG Kompressor, introduced in 2004, is able to hit 60 mph (100 km/h) in just 5.5 seconds.
[edit] W463 Cabrio
The G-Class Cabrio is the only handmade 4x4 in the world that has a power-top and the highly sophisticated off-road vehicle utilizing three fully locking differentials. There are only twenty of these handmade vehicles produced a year in Graz, Austria.[4] Mercedes-Benz USA does not import the G-Class Cabrio to the United States but private importers do, which cost up to USD$135,000.[5]
[edit] W463 / X164 (2006 and beyond)
It was rumored that, with military contracts for the G-Class completed, production of the old G-wagen in Graz, Austria would cease as of 2006. However, reports[6] state that production of the current G-wagen will continue for the foreseeable future, alongside its once-intended replacement, the GL-Class (X164). An outcry among enthusiasts who admired the G-Class for its tremendous off-road potential showed that a market still existed for such a vehicle. Mercedes-Benz elected to continue G-Class production for the hardcore off-road market, while the larger 3-row GL-Class would be marketed as a competitor for the likes of the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.
As of July 2006, Mercedes-Benz announced a late-availability 2006 model year G-Class on its website.[7] The company also showed a facelifted 2007 model at the Paris Auto Show in September 2006[8] and increased the power of the G 55 K AMG version from 476 to 500 hp (370 kW).
It is also possible that a compact off-roader called G-Class will be built, both as a 3-door and as a 5-door, besides the GLK-Class compact crossover SUV.
The new G-Wagen will use the company's updated 4-valve V6 and V8 engines and will have an updated interior and exterior.
[edit] Military operators
Australia- In 2007, Mercedes-Benz won a contract to provide 1,100 G-Class vehicles to the Australian Defence Force.[9]
Austria- The Austrian Army has been a long time user of various Puch G models.
a Puch G of the Austrian Army 
Bulgaria- The Bulgarian Army has signed a deal with Mercedes-Benz for the supply of various G models as part of its on-going modernisation plan.
Canada- A total of 1,159 vehicles have been ordered by the Canadian Army beginning in late 2003.[10] An armoured kit can be fitted (or removed) in 8 hours by three soldiers. Their light armour has been criticised for leading to loss of life in Afghanistan, however it is considerably better than the Iltis predecessor.[11]
- Delivery of these vehicles to Reserve units has also begun; they will be employed in armoured reconnaissance units. It is in the final stages of fully replacing the Iltis in most units as the armoured reconnaissance vehicle in use LFCA. Other units will replace the Iltis with a militarized Chevrolet Silverado known as the MILCOTS (or colloquially as the "Milverado".) :For the most exposed missions in Afghanistan 75 RG-31 Nyala built by BAE Land Systems OMC, South Africa, will be used.[12]
Croatia- Croatia bought 300-320 vehicles for needs of Croatian army and for peacekeeping operations missions in Afghanistan additional 30 RG-31 vehicles were delivered. Croatia uses mix of 4x4 vehicles in peacekeepings operations and Mercedes G class is very popular choice within the Croatian Army. G class are supplemented by Land Rover Wolf and Iveco LRV vehicles.
Denmark- The Danish military bought the 240 GD (/24, /28 and /34 variants) to supersede the M151A1, the Volkswagen 181 ("Jagdwagen") and the Land Rover 88[13]. First deliveries of the 240 GD were in 1985 and later the 290 GD (/24 and /28 variants) where also introduced. More than 1.300 have been put in service. A few 300 GE's have also been used - mainly by the Danish army EOD-services[14]. Currently the Danes are taking delivery of up to 1.000 270CDIs in several variants, starting in 2003[15].
Estonia- The Estonian Defence Forces have a small number of various G-Class vehicles, which were recently purchased to replace the outdated UAZ and Volkswagen Iltis jeeps.
Finland- The Finnish Army uses the Geländewagen mostly as armored vehicles and ambulances, but other versions are also in service.
France- The French Army have the Peugeot P4 which is a derivative from the G-Class equipped with Peugeot engine and equipment.
Germany- The German Armed Forces uses the G-Class under the name "Wolf". Over 12,000 vehicles have been delivered in over 50 versions, ranging from ambulance vehicles to armored vehicles used by the German special forces.
Greece- The Greek Army as well as Air Force, Navy and Police use several versions of the Geländewagen, manufactured by ELBO the Hellenic Vehicles Industry as W462.
Hungary- The Hungarian Ground Forces are using a small number of G-270 CDI BA 10, which is mounted with UMF light-machine gun platform.
Luxembourg- The Military of Luxembourg uses the 300D variant of the Geländewagen.
Norwegian military MB240GD
Netherlands- The Dutch Army uses various versions of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, mostly W461 290GD and 290GD TD models with manual gearbox. Also the Dutch police and Koninklijke Marechaussee are using the G. Most of these are armored W463 models.
Norway- The Norwegian Army bought 240 GD to replace Volvo and Land Rover jeeps in the mid-1980s, and 300 GD to use as ambulances. During the 90's 290 GD's where bought, and in the first half of the 00's a small number of armoured 270 CDI's were put into service. Today the Defence Forces operates a total of 3000 vehicles.
- The escort company of the Norwegian Royal Guard employs a black G500 AMG with police lights on the roof.
Montenegro
Serbia- The Serbian Army used mainly for special forces and military police/anti terrorist units, some 200 are in use. Also used as light utility vehicle.
Singapore- The Singapore Army bought the 270 and 290 versions as secondary military transport. It is used in soft-top truck configuration and is known as a 1.5-tonner or simply "MB" to its users. And also some were used also for patrolling in a jeep form. The Army also deploys the extremely short-wheelbase, soft-top version for its Colonels, Battalion COs, Brigade and Division Commanders as personal field transports.
Slovenia- Military of Slovenia uses mainly for transport.
Switzerland- The Swiss Army uses the 230 with soft top as the primary general purpose carrier, and a hardtop version as mobile radio access point. It is in service since 1985 and gradually replaced Willys Jeeps, Haflinger light transports and Pinzgauer medium transports in the liaison and transport role. All versions in Swiss Army use are unarmed.
United States-
The USMC Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV) is a modified version of the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen 290. It replaces the modified M-151A2 1/4 ton truck (MUTT jeep) used by the Marines as an FAV in the 1990s. The U.S. Marine Corps acquired 157 of the IFAVs distributed as follows:
.1.JPEG/180px-USMC_Fast_Attack_Vehicle_(IFAV).1.JPEG)
USMC IFAV
- (I) Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Camp Pendleton, CA (33);
- (II) MEF Camp Lejeune, NC (25);
- (III) MEF on Okinawa, Japan (27);
- (IV) 17 Force Recon, Afghanistan (22);
- (V) 3 Force Recon Bn, Iraq (23);
- (VI) 1st Provisional DMZ Police Company, Korea (15); and
- (VII) various miscellaneous (12)
Vatican City- The government of the Vatican City owned two converted Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which are known as the "Popemobile". One is on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
[edit] Models
- 200GE - M102E20 2.0 L I4 (only sold in Italy)
- 230G - M115 2.3 L I4, 102 hp (75 kW), ??? ft·lbf (172 N·m/3000 rpm)
- 230GE - M102E23 2.3 L I4, 125 hp (92 kW), ??? ft·lbf (192 N·m/4000 rpm)
- 280GE - M110 2.8 L I6, 156 hp (115 kW), ??? ft·lbf (226 N·m/4250 rpm)
- 240GD - OM616 2.4 L Diesel I4, 72 hp (53 kW), ??? ft·lbf (137 N·m/2400 rpm)
- 250GD - OM602 2.5 L Diesel I5, 94 hp (69 kW), ??? ft·lbf (??? N·m)
- G 270 CDI - OM612 2.7 L Diesel I5 (turbocharged), 156 hp (115 kW), 294 ft·lbf (400 N·m)
- 290GD - OM602D29 2.9 L Diesel I5, 95 hp (71 kW)
- 290GD TD - OM602DLA29 2.9 L Diesel I5 (turbocharged), 120 hp (89 kW)
- 300 GD - OM617 3.0 L Diesel I5 - later rebadged G 300
- 300 GE - M103 3.0 L I6 - later rebadged G 300
- G 350 DT
- G 300 DT - OM606 3.0 L Diesel I6(turbocharged), 177 hp (130 kW), 244ft·lbf (330 N·m)
- G 320 - M104 3.2 L I6, 217 hp (161 kW), 229 ft·lbf (310 N·m)
- G 320 - M112 3.2 L V6, 215 hp (158 kW), 220 ft·lbf (300 N·m)
- G 320 CDI - OM642 3.2 L Diesel V6, 224 hp (165 kW), 397 ft·lbf (540 Nm)
- G 400 CDI - OM628 4.0 L Diesel V8 (turbocharged), 250 hp (184 kW), 411 ft·lbf (560 N·m)
- 500 GE - M117 5.0 L V8
- G 500 - M113E50 5.0 L V8, 296 hp (218 kW), 336 ft·lbf (456 Nm)
- G 55 AMG - M113E55 5.5 L V8 supercharged, 500 hp (350 kW), 514 ft·lbf (700 N·m)
- G 63 AMG - V12 N/A, 444 hp (326 kW), (620 N·m/4400 rpm) (only 12 ever built)
Mercedes-AMG Chairman Volker Mornhinweg claims that one third of all G-Class vehicles sold to civilians are the G55 AMG model.[16]
[edit] References
- ^ Mercedes G - Puch G
- ^ Mercedes G Wagen Heritage -Benz Type 463 G-Class - Luxury SUV Travel & Adventure Road Test - Truck Trend
- ^ Forbes autos 2006 review
- ^ http://www.robbreportcollection.com/eBrochure/Europa-G-Wagen-LLC.asp
- ^ G.Wagen USA
- ^ http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103638
- ^ The 2006 G-Class
- ^ Mercedes to show face-lifted G-Class ute at upcoming Paris auto show - AutoWeek Magazine
- ^ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com.au/dc_australia/0-172-66911-1-967855-1-0-0-0-0-0-1233-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html
- ^ Armoured Vehicles - Mercedes G-Wagon - Blast Resistant Vehicles - Nyala APV - IED - MND Gordon O'Connor - Afghan Mission - Procurement Priorities - CASR - Canadian American Strategic Review
- ^ Mercedes G-Wagon - Kandahar - Afghanistan - Gumbad IED - Media Response - Canadian Forces - CASR - Canadian American Strategic Review
- ^ The Canadian Army - Equipment
- ^ Danish army Mercedes 240 GD/24
- ^ Danish army Mercedes 300 GE/28
- ^ Danish army Mercedes G270CDI/28
- ^ AMG's new chief has big plans for 2006 - AutoWeek Magazine
[edit] External links
- Mercedes Expanding Presence, Products in Alabama. Ward's Auto World. Retrieved on July 8, 2005.
- Mercedes-Benz International
- Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen
- Mercedes Gelaendewagen links
- AutoGuideWiki.com
- Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen
- Twenty-five years of the 'G'
- [1]
- Mercedes-Benz G a Unimog klub
- Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen Club in Russia
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| Type | Class | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Subcompact | A | W168 | W169 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entry-level | C | W201 (190) | W202 | W203 | W204 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size car |
E | W123 | W124 | W210 | W211 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CLS | W219 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size | S | W126 | W140 | W220 | W221 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | SLK | R170 | R171 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SL | R107 | R129 | R230 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | CLC | W203 | CL203 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CLK | W208 | W209 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CL | C126 | C140 | C215 | C216 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supercar | SLR | C199 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| off-road | G | W460 | W461 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| G | W463 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUV | GLK | X204 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M | W163 | W164 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GL | X164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MPVs | B | W245 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| R | V251 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vaneo | W414 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vito | Vito | Vito | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sprinter | Sprinter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
