243 Star Torque Autumn 2016

1992 Mercedes-Benz 350 GD Turbodiesel, short wheel base wagon 1998 Mercedes-Benz G 500, 463 series
The chief designer of the G-Model
was Erich Ledwinka, who had
already gained a good reputation with
the extremely robust, four-wheeldrive
Haflinger all-terrain vehicle
from Austria.
Accordingly the new project was
initially named H2, which stood
for ‘Haflinger 2’. Since this name
was too closely associated with
Steyr-Daimler-Puch, the partners
subsequently changed it to the simple
but memorable ‘G’ for ‘Geländewagen’
(off-road vehicle). At the time nobody
could have predicted that this was
an almost clairvoyant decision with
respect to the current system of
Mercedes-Benz model designations
using just one letter.
The first model, which was
built of wood, was presented
to management in 1973. The first
prototype of metal construction,
powered by a 2.3-litre petrol engine,
was ready in September 1974.
One year later, two further
prototypes followed with short and
long wheelbases. In 1978 a first
prototype designed specifically for
the military, with a fabric roof, a
folding windscreen and removable
doors was presented.
At the time it was assumed that most
of the vehicles would be equipped
in this way, however, the majority
of customers opted for the closed
version, the station wagon.
From the outset, the vehicle could
be ordered with special requests, as
the Mercedes-Benz G had a very wide
range of applications. The designers
were therefore geared toward
providing individualised equipment.
Production of the current
G-Class in Graz commenced on
1 February 1979. Daimler-Benz
provided the entire drive train with
its engine, transmission, axles, and
steering, as well as the larger pressed
components. Stamped and smaller
pressed parts, as well as the transfer
case, were produced by Steyr-
Daimler-Puch.
The range of G-models initially
consisted of the 230 G (four-cylinder
petrol engine, 66 kW/90 hp or 75
kW/102 hp), the 240 GD (fourcylinder
diesel engine, 53 kW/72 hp)
and the 300 GD (five-cylinder diesel
engine, 59 kW/80 hp).
In early 1980 these were followed by
the 280 GE (six-cylinder petrol engine
with fuel injection, 110 kW/150 hp)
in the low-compression version. All
versions had a manual four-speed
transmission and reduction gearing.
The all-wheel drive with an
additional cross-country ratio was
able to be engaged and disengaged
on the move, as were the 100-percent-locking
differential locks on
both rigid axles. The sophisticated
suspension with trailing arms and
transverse links, coil springs and
shock absorbers made for excellent
handling both on and off the road.
Power steering was only available for
the 300 GD and 280 GE as standard.
Civilian customers were able to
order the G as a station wagon
with a short or long wheelbase, or as
a convertible with a short wheelbase.
There was a choice of just five paint
finishes: cream white, wheat yellow,
colorado beige, carmine red and
agave green.
For the Military there was also a
long-wheelbase convertible with two
or four doors. In November 1980, the
range was extended with a closed
box body and either a short or long
wheelbase.
The G-Model was not only popular
with the Military, but also as a
commercial vehicle, as a growing
number of private customers also
came to appreciate this robust offroader.
They expected more comfort
from such a car, however, and this
was provided with the first model
upgrade at the end of 1980.
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