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.
Military Use
Canadian Army
A total of 1,159 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.
The U.S. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance use the 290 GDT diesel 4x4 Mercedes-Benz G-Class for their operations.
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.
Danish Army
The Danish Army bough 240GD/24 to supersede the M151A1, the Volkswagen 181 ("Jagdwagen") and the Land Rover 88. First deliveries were in 1985 and more than 1.300 have been put in service. Currently the Danes are taking delivery of up to 1.000 270CDIs. A number of 290 GDs and 300 GDs have also been used.
Models
- G 320 CDI - 3.0 L Diesel V6, 231 hp (170 kW)
- G 420 CDI - 4.0 L Diesel V8, 300 hp (221 kW)
- G 460 - 4.6 L V8, 325 hp (239 kW)
- G 500 - 5.0 L V8, 292 hp (218 kW), 336 lb-ft
- G 550 - 5.5 L V8, 410 hp (302 kW)
- G 55 AMG - 5.5 L V8 supercharged, 469 hp (350 kW)
- G 63 AMG - 6.3 L V8, 465 hp (342 kW)
2006
The 2006 G-Class will debut at that year's North American International Auto Show. It loses its boxy styling and body-on-frame construction in favor of a modified version of the M-Class' unibody architecture. It will be a 7-passenger (3-row) SUV with much more luxurious equipment than even the previous civilian G-Class vehicles. All future G-Class vehicles will be assembled at DaimlerChrysler's Alabama factory.
It is rumored that all military contracts for the G-Class will be completed by then, so production of the old G-wagen in Graz, Austria is expected to cease. [1] There are additional rumors that the G-Wagen will be produced at Graz through 2010.
The first official photos of the vehicle have been released by Mercedes in November 2005. They bear the logo GL 320 at the rear, leading to the speculation that it will indeed be the GL-Class, and confirming that the current G-Class could coexist with the new model for some time.
References
- "Mercedes Expanding Presence, Products in Alabama". Ward's Auto World. July 8.
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External links
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