G-Wagen, G-Wagon, or G-Class — call it what you may. Adore it and lust for it, or hate it from the bottom of your heart, but you can’t deny the fact that the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is among the most influential automobiles ever built. And now, it’s hit another milestone — 600,000 units. Yes, six hundred thousand of these boxy, burly brutes have rolled off the production line since the very first one thundered out of Graz, Austria, way back in 1979.
And the 600,000th? It’s not some brutish V8 or a limited-edition tribute model. It’s an all-electric Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology, finished in Obsidian Black Metallic. Welcome to the new era.
Built For War, Crowned By the Streets
The G-Class wasn’t built to pose. It wasn’t even built to be luxurious. It was built for the battlefield. Quite literally, the G-Wagen exists today because the Shah of Iran (who also happened to be a major Mercedes-Benz shareholder in the 70s) suggested the brand develop a 4WD SUV for military use.
The Germans took the suggestion seriously, teaming up with the Austrian firm Steyr-Daimler-Puch to develop what would become the Gelandewagen. In German, it simply meant “terrain vehicle.” The first G-Wagen launched in 1979 as the W460 and looked ready for combat, because it was. It was simple, rugged, functional, and overengineered — exactly what militaries and serious off-roaders needed.
With options for short or long wheelbases, diesel or petrol, convertibles or wagons, the W460 became the foundation of a global cult following. It served more than 60 militaries, yet still had enough charm to woo civilian buyers.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Generations Of A Legend
W460 (1979 – 1992)
The original. Utilitarian to the core. Available with tiny four-cylinder engines and big diesel blocks, this was a mountain goat wrapped in sheet metal. No frills, all function.
W463 (1990 – 2024)
The shift. Mercedes realized civilians wanted the ruggedness of the G-Wagen with S-Class comfort. Enter leather, wood, and refinement. AMG got involved too, and let’s just say things got fast. The G55, G63, G65 — all absolute monsters in their own right.
W461 (1992 – 2022)
The working-class hero. Built alongside the W463, the W461 stuck to the basics — used by governments, police, NGOs, and militaries worldwide. A pure utility version that refused to play dress-up.
W464 (2022 – Present)
The W464 replaced the long-running W461 as a rugged, utilitarian version of the G-Class for military and specialist applications. It retains solid axles front and rear, triple locking diffs, and a spartan interior. Powered by a detuned but still legendary OM656 2.9L inline-six diesel for high-sulphur fuel compatibility, it’s built to operate in harsh environments. A unique Emergency Override Switch allows it to bypass limp mode in critical situations. As of mid-2025, no civilian version has been offered.
W465 (2024 – Present)
Unveiled in March 2024, the W465 succeeds the W463 as the civilian G-Class platform. It carries over refined 3.0L petrol and diesel inline-six engines with 48V mild hybrid assistance. The AMG G63 continues with a 4.0L V8. An electric version, the G 580 with EQ Technology, debuted a month later.
Milestones Along The Way
Getting to 600,000 units wasn’t an overnight affair — it took 46 years of global demand, cult status, and relentless Mercedes-Benz refinement. But the growth curve is worth noting. From 300,000 to 400,000 took just three years. Then 400,000 to 500,000 in another three. Now, from 500,000 to 600,000 — just over two years. That’s proof of how popular this SUV has become.
The 500,000th unit, celebrated in 2023, was a retro-themed throwback to the W460, dubbed “Stronger Than The 1980s”. Mercedes has continued that tradition of commemorative models, and there’s no doubt more special editions are on the way.
The G-Class is also Mercedes’ most customized vehicle. Over 90% of buyers add at least one MANUFAKTUR option, and on average, each SUV gets three personalized touches. Thanks to the custom program, customers can now choose from over 20,000 different paint colours. Yes, you read that right — twenty thousand.
UAE & Global Appeal — The Ultimate Status Symbol
In the UAE, the G-Wagen isn’t just a car — it’s a cultural icon. It’s the car for the bold, the brash, and the powerful. Royals own them. Rappers love them. Off-roaders rely on them. Whether crawling up dunes or rolling up to a five-star hotel, the G-Class owns the scene.
It is among the most in-demand Mercedes-Benz models in the UAE, and for good reason. Nothing else combines outrageous off-road ability, red-carpet presence, and luxury like the G-Wagen.
Even globally, this box-on-wheels has defied everything we thought we knew about car design longevity. Most vehicles change drastically every few years. The G-Class? It has basically stayed the same shape for 45 years.
What’s Next?
The G-Class isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s more in demand than ever. The electric G 580 is just the beginning of a new era — cleaner, quieter, but just as capable and desirable.
At 600,000 units, the G-Wagen has proven that timeless design, unbeatable engineering, and pure attitude never go out of style. Here’s to the next milestone — 700,000, 800,000, maybe even a million. Because as long as the world needs a luxury SUV that can survive the apocalypse and still turn heads on Rodeo Drive or Sheikh Zayed Road, the G-Class will live on.
Long live the box.
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