MERCEDES BENZG-Klasse (W460/W461) 1979 - 2001

　　There are not many cars in the world that achieve icon status, such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class that the German automaker introduced in 1979 and built in several shapes and sizes.

　　In the early ‘70s, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, needed a sturdy vehicle for its army. Since he was an important stakeholder in Mercedes-Benz, he persuaded the carmaker’s board to develop one. At the same time, in the UK, Land Rover was riding the high tides with its Series III and the Range Rover lineups. As a result, work started on the Gelandewagen (all-terrain vehicle in German). To build it, Mercedes-Benz partnered with the Austrian manufacturer Steyr, and the result was the 1979 G-Class. The SUV was initially available in with a short or a long wheelbase, five types of bodywork, and four engines. One of the first large orders came from the Shah of Iran, but the Islamic Revolution happened before the cars were delivered. That didn’t stop the German automaker from producing the vehicle and selling it everywhere. The car got the internal coding of W460.

　　Mercedes-Benz’s engineers used wood instead of clay to shape the vehicle since that material better suited their intentions. They wanted the vehicle to look rugged, with flat surfaces. As a result, even the front fascia was flat. A black grille dominated it, and on its upper sides, the automaker placed the headlights. To protect the turn signals, these were mounted on the upper side of the front fenders, flanking the hood.

　　The five-door version was the one that aimed at those looking for a recreational vehicle. Since the G-Class could tackle any kind of terrain, it was ideal for camping and going into the woods without fearing getting stuck that easily. Mercedes-Benz made the vehicle with flat side panels so they could be better protected. The only elements that were wider than the bodywork were the door handles and mirrors. Its exposed front doors’ hinges remained a trademark of the vehicle. At the back, the SUV featured a side-hinged door that also supported the spare wheel.

　　Inside, Mercedes-Benz created a cabin that was far from the rest of the luxurious vehicles it made. The fabric upholstery and the squared-looking dashboard were closer to an LCV than to an expensive, luxurious SUV. But still, customers loved it thanks to the ease of use. Fronting the driver was a small instrument cluster that featured three dials. The one on the left was the speedometer, while the one on the right was filled with the gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. Between them, on the upper side, the automaker installed the rev counter. Depending on the options, the center stack housed the stereo, an analog clock, the heater controller, and an ashtray. Between the front seats, Mercedes-Benz installed the gear stick, the transfer case lever, and two plungers to lock the front and rear differentials. In the back, the bench seat was wide enough to host three adults, while behind them was the trunk.

　　But the most significant part of the vehicle was its chassis, which made the G-Class so famous around the Globe. The transmission featured a transfer case with a 50:50 torque distribution between the front and rear axles. While that was an advantage in off-road situations, it was less suitable for on-road applications since the SUV didn’t have a center differential. That was added later.