The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, nicknamed the G-Wagen (short for Geländewagen, German for “cross-country vehicle”), was first developed in the 1970s as an Austrian military vehicle. Sensing an opportunity early in the SUV craze, Mercedes-Benz collaborated with Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria, where the G-Wagen has been built ever since.
In 1979, the first civilian G-Wagen was officially launched. Its boxy, utilitarian design and ladder-frame chassis emphasized durability and off-road capability.
The Limited Edition V8 500 GE was introduced in 1993, marking the beginning of high-performance G-Wagens, and the supercharged G55 AMG bowed in 1999, catapulting the “G” to must-have status with cognoscenti, athletes, and the well-heeled.
G-Wagen in the USA
Although there were plenty of so-called “Grey Market” G-Wagens in the U.S, Mercedes officially brought the G-Class to the U.S. market in 2002, boosting its luxury and celebrity status.
Have you ever been to Los Angeles, California? Visit West Hollywood and you’ll see G-Wagens like they were Yellow Cabs from New York back in the day before Uber and Lyft. The G is EVERYWHERE in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and New York!
In 2012, perhaps the most iconic modern G-Class variant – the AMG G63 with its twin-turbo V8, debuted. It instantly became a global status symbol, blending prodigious performance with the timeless G-Wagen design.
In 2017, the ultra-rare six-wheel G560 Landaulet bowed. It’s a luxury version with a convertible rear section, built for high-net-worth clients. Limited to just 99 units. Serial number 000 is on display at the G-Class Experience Center in Graz, Austria. It’s approximate worth today is a staggering $1.5 million.
Second-Generation G-Class
In 2018, Mercedes completely re-engineered the G-Class while preserving its iconic silhouette. Lighter, more refined, and more comfortable, yet still with full off-road prowess. Models included the G500, G63, and specialized variants, and popularity exploded for the now called G-Wagon.
The Electric Era: G580 with EQ Technology
Pursuitist was present at the 2024 Los Angeles launch of the G580 with EQ Technology – the latest chapter in G-Wagon history. The G580 is fully electric, merging the G-Wagon’s legacy with the future of EVs.
Key G580 with EQ Technology Specs:
– Four electric motors (one at each wheel) delivering over 580 horsepower.
– Retains full off-road heritage with independent torque vectoring for unmatched traction.
– Battery pack integrated into the ladder frame for durability and water resistance.
Off-Road Features:
– G-Turn: Allows the vehicle to spin 360° in place by rotating wheels on each side in opposite directions for precision maneuvering.
– G-Crawl: An intelligent low-speed off-road cruise control, useful for rock crawling or steep descents.
– G-Steer: Adjusts torque to help pivot tighter around off-road obstacles.
– Water Fording: Maintains excellent capability with waterproofed battery and drivetrain.
More on all of these features as you read on.
G-Class Experience Center
Thanks to Michael Minelli of the Mercedes-Benz communications team, my travel partner, Kimatni Rawlins of AutomotiveRhythms.com and I had the amazing opportunity to “experience” the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Experience Center.
Situated in Graz, Austria near the Magna Steyr plant where the G-Class has been built since 1979, the Experience Center Opened in 2019 to give enthusiasts and customers an immersive experience with the G-Wagon. As Graz is the birthplace of the G-Wagon, the Experience Center serves as a historical and experiential site.
The G-Class Experience is aimed at both customers (prospective or current owners) fans of off-roading across the board, and those who understand and respect the impressive off-road capabilities of the legendary G-Class.
The Experience includes training sessions from off-roading, G-Wagon experts on how to handle difficult terrain safely and effectively; and the focus of the Experience is teaching the full use of the G-Class’s technology (locking differentials, low-range gearbox, cool technology like G-Turn, off-road drive modes, and more).
The Experience Center features an expansive off-road park designed to test the G-Class in extreme conditions including:
- Steep inclines up to 100% (45-degree gradients)
- Side slopes up to 40 degrees
- Water crossings and mud pits to highlight fording depth
- Rocky trails and moguls to demonstrate suspension articulation
- Gravel and forest sections for real-world off-road simulation
Open to the public with advance booking, the Experience Center offers both half-day and full-day experiences targeted to beginners and seasoned off-road drivers.
Visitors can drive the G-Class themselves (under guidance) or ride along with professional instructors. Kimatni and I had full access to the expansive facility.
Let’s Go!
Kimatni and I paired up to get down and dirty in the “G”. There were several activities for us to fully experience all that is G-Class. After a driver’s meeting to give us the 411 on G-Wagon capabilities and a safety briefing, we were stoked about the adventure ahead.
On the Center’s skid pad, we performed cornering and agility tests where we drove the G63 AMG under dry and wet slalom conditions to assess handling and stability at speed.
We also experienced the G580’s “G-Turn,” which enables 360-degree turns under dry and wet conditions, ensuring your ability to traverse any off-road situation. For example, you find yourself on a dead-end trail, and there’s very little room to turn back. No worries, as the G580’s G-Turn tech can spin you back to where you need to go. G-Steer is similar, and is available on all G-Wagons. G-Steer locks the inside rear wheel while turning, significantly reducing the turn radius on tight trails.
Both technologies are impressive!
Driving up and down 100% slopes was both thrilling and intimidating, but the G-Wagon handled it with ease.
On the off-road trails, side slopes at almost 40 degrees were even more intimidating, as you wonder how the G doesn’t tip over at such an extreme angle, even with our instructor pulling hard on it to demonstrate that it was glued to the side incline.
One of my favorite experiences was driving the “G” through waist deep water. Mercedes has designed all G-Wagons with 9-inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford up to 27.5-inches of water with special shutters to prevent water ingress to the gasoline engine.
We had the most fun on a rock-strewn steep downhill drive where we didn’t touch the brakes – using the G-Wagon’s suite of electronics to control speed as we laughingly bounced down the hill. It was just great!
After we finished the course, the brave amongst us, not including yours truly, had the opportunity to experience steep hill ascents and descents at seemingly ridiculous speeds with one of the Center’s pro drivers. Just watching it was crazy, and the brave who took the ride came back to the Center with massive grins.
Every obstacle along our drive cemented the G-Wagon’s status as both a luxury icon and an off-road legend.
The Experience Center didn’t just showcase the legendary G-Class – it created an unforgettable adventure.
Inside the Center are displays of iconic G’s over the years, including the 500,000th G-Wagon built, and one embedded in Lucite, seemingly frozen in time.
As well as displays for interior and exterior trim choices:
And a cutaway of the G-580’s battery platform:
Upon completion of the drive experience, we were awarded a certificate and special “G-Proved” medal commemorating our adventure!
Overall, the G-Class Experience strengthens the G’s image as a luxury vehicle with uncompromising off-road ability; connects enthusiasts to the vehicle’s long heritage and technical prowess; and provides a destination for adventure tourism with a Mercedes-Benz twist.
Thank you Mercedes-Benz!
Graz, Austria
Graz is Austria’s second-largest city (behind Vienna) and offers a blend of medieval charm, vibrant culture, and modern dynamism. Known as the “City of Design,” Graz balances its historic roots with forward-looking creativity, making it a captivating travel destination.
We took a several hour train ride from Vienna through the Styrian Mountains to Graz, as Graz’s historic railways play a vital role in shaping its identity and accessibility.
The heart of Graz lies in its beautifully preserved Old Town – a maze of narrow streets and architectural marvels from Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. I took a steep ride on a rail car up iconic Schlossberg Hill, crowned by the Uhrturm clock tower, which offers panoramic views of the city.
Beyond its historic charm, Graz is a cultural powerhouse. The city hosts world-class museums, theaters, and art exhibitions. Graz is also a culinary capital, with a thriving food scene.
Graz’s Old Town transports you back centuries, and the city’s ethnic makeup crosses many cultures, all of whom are welcome there.
For travelers seeking an authentic Austrian experience with a touch of innovation, Graz is a must-visit destination.
