Cars - Mercedes-Benz G-Class

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	Cars - Mercedes-Benz G-Class

DaimlerChrysler offers a series of sport utility vehicles to the public under the Mercedes-Benz brand as G-Class. Commonly referred to as the G-Wagen, short for Geländewagen (or Cross-Country Vehicle), Mercedes secured military contracts for the vehicle in the late 1970s and offered a civilian version to the public in 1979. Never an entirely Mercedes product, the G-Wagen was a joint Steyr-Daimler-Puch development and are assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. Mercedes' part was to provide the drivetrain as well as interior design on civilian vehicles, and Steyr retained distribution rights in certain regions under the Puch name. Among the engines offered in the G-Class for the 2004 model year is a 5.5-litre V8. Major models include the G500, and G55 AMG. 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 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2006/2007 G-Wagen will use the company's updated 4-valve V6 and V8 engines and will have an updated interior and exterior.

History

The G-Wagen was first offered for sale in 1979 and redesigned in 1990 and updated in 1997. A new version was expected for 2007, but the new R-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.

W460/W461

The original W460/W461 G-Wagen went onsale for the 1979 model year. It was offered in two wheelbases and three body styles: A 2-door short-wheelbase convertible, a 2-door short-wheelbase wagon, and a long-wheelbase 4-door wagon.

This version of the G-Wagen was popular with military and offroad enthusiasts, with more than 50,000 built in the first decade. The vehicle was not offered in the United States officially, but with the demise of the "casual importation" grey-market in the mid-1980s, importers like Europa International were successful in selling G-Wagens (mostly W463s) that had been modified to meet US DOT specifications for around $135,000.

W463

The chassis was revised for 1990 as the W463 with anti-lock brakes and a full trio of electronically-locking differentials. The V8-powered 500GE was new for 1993, catering to more of a luxury than off-road crowd with only center and rear differentials and a luxurious cabin of leather and wood. This luxury-Wagen lasted just two years, however. All 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 turbo 2.9 L Diesel and the V6-powered (M112 motor) G320 - previous years' G320s were outfitted with the M104 I6. The luxury G-wagen returned for 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, however, with many snapped up by celebrities. A 476 hp (355 kW) G55, introduced in 2004, could hit 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds.

2006

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. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz did not announce a 2006 G-Class model as expected in the fall of 2005. However, current reports state that production of the current G-wagen will continue for the forseeable future, with its unibody M-Class-based replacement being named the GL-Class. Still, 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 MLK-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.

Military Use

Canadian Army

A total of 802 vehicles have been ordered by the Canadian Forces beginning in late 2003. An armored kit can be fitted (or removed) in 8 hours by 3 soldiers. The vehicle has been used by Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

United States Marine Corps

The U.S. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance use the 290 GDT diesel 4x4 Mercedes-Benz G-Class for their operations.

Dutch Army

Europe's 3th army (after the UK and France) uses various versions of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

French Army

The Peugeot P4 is a derivative from the G-Class equipped with Peugeot engine and equipment.

Norwegian Army

The Norwegian Army bought 240 GD to replace Volvo and Land Rover jeeps in the mid-1980s, and 290 GD to use as ambulances.

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