Can you believe G Wagon is over 40 years old? Mercedes claims the G-Wagon is the grandfather to all SUVs it makes today. Behind the hype, the Mercedes Benz G-Class is one of the longest-running production vehicles in its lineup. To fully understand the history, we must backdate to 1907 with a turn.
In Germany’s colonial areas, the Berg wagon was used in Southwest Africa as the first vehicle to have all-wheel drive steering. Throughout the early years, the G wagon continued to be designed and tested in German coalfields, the Sahara Desert, and the Arctic Circle 1974.
The vehicle’s boxy appearance and armor-like panels were 100% intended for military and utility use. Then it’s getting popular yearly, and the price is also increasing. But why the G-wagons or G series of Mercedes are so expensive? Let’s know about it in detail.
Why are G Wagons so expensive?
Apart from the vehicle’s exclusivity, pop culture has further fuelled the hype of the G-wagon. Travis Scott recently purchased a Maybach G-Wagon worth nearly 1.6 million USD and posted Malone in his latest chart-topper.
- The G-wagon does indeed stand for luxury. That’s considered a symbol of success.
The G-WAGON is more than an expensive ride to the supermarket throughout every upgrade and new model it releases, from its V8 engine to full off-road capabilities. Some factors make G Wagons so expensive or luxurious:
1. Excellent performance
The test crew discovered the G-Wagon’s mind-shattering ability to climb slopes as steep as 45 degrees. Mercedes engineers also perform corrosion testing in the dangerous Chott el Djerid salt flats of the Sahara Desert and extreme cold and ice testing in the Arctic Circle. The engineers even tested backing down the three-mile driveway of John Mayer’s ranch in Montana.
The designer’s focus ensures that the G-Wagon offers impressive handling and drivability on the road. Mercedes made the G-Wagon a body-on-frame truck, reflecting its intended heavy-duty use. It made it more durable than a typical unibody vehicle but the body on frame trucks, especially those with solid axles.
2. Modern technology
The G-wagon is made of galvanized steel and is not spot welded like traditional automobile manufacturing. It is done 100% by hand, and the build quality shows. The G-Wagon also has three independent locking differentials the front, the middle, and the rear. A standard open differential allows the outside and inside wheels to spin at different rates.
The outside wheel has to travel farther and thus must spin faster. If they traveled at the same rate, you’d have a problem. But that’s not necessarily a good thing when you’re off-roading. With the locking differential, they can spin at the same speed. You can get traction and get out of any situation. If you want to take your G-wagon off-road, it is very capable.
- Park Assist system can park, and the car can drive within the freeway lanes.
- G Wagon has adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring technology.
3. Engine ability
G550 implies a 5.5-liter engine, a four-liter V8 twin-turbo engine pushing out a not inconsequential 416 brake horsepower. It’s the same engine Mercedes has used in the S-Class, GLS, and GLA classes since 2017. The prior version of this car gives it more stability on the road and airiness and space in the cabin.
They also have a different steering system, permitting modern collision avoidance technology to be deployed. The ground-up redesign has also allowed lighter materials, saving £375 off the old car.
If we go along a little faster, the engine kicks down easily and quickly. It delivers its power very smoothly. That 416 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged four-liter V8 is very smooth.
4. Interior design and Prestige
G-Wagons have a distinctive and iconic design that has remained relatively unchanged. They have a rugged and boxy appearance, associated with off-road capability and luxury. The G-Wagon has gained a reputation for being a status symbol, attracting customers who value its prestigious image.
G Wagon is incredibly wealthy in the interior, which helps increase the base price. G-Wagon has beautiful quilted leather seats. Everything is draped in leather: the emergency brake and the shifter with the logo. The heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon speaker system, excellent seats, a command screen, and an adorable backup camera make G-Wagon awesome and expensive.
The current G-Class has the broadest range of exterior color choices of all Mercedes, and this combination of white and brown looks the business. The quality of the materials, how it’s all put together, and the technology you find here are very familiar. So it’s like they put an S-Class inside a G-class.
5. High-Quality Materials and Craftsmanship
G-Wagons are built using high-quality materials and undergo meticulous craftsmanship. The interior features luxurious finishes, premium leather upholstery, and advanced technology. The attention to detail and high-end materials contribute to the elevated price point.
6. Off-Road Capability
G-Wagons are designed to excel in off-road conditions, offering advanced four-wheel-drive systems, durable suspension systems, and high-ground clearance. The engineering and technology required for off-road performance add to the overall cost of the vehicle.
7. Customization Options
G-Wagons offer a range of customization options, allowing customers to personalize their vehicles to their preferences. These options include various trim levels, paint colors, interior finishes, and additional features. The ability to customize a G-Wagon to meet individual preferences increases its exclusivity and price.
8. Limited Availability
G-Wagons are produced in limited quantities compared to other mass-produced vehicles. This limited availability and high demand can drive the price due to supply and demand dynamics.
9. Research and Development Costs
The development of the G-Wagon involved significant research and development expenses. Mercedes-Benz invested in engineering advancements, safety features, and technology to improve the overall performance and refinement of the vehicle. These costs are reflected in the final price.
10. Versatility and Practicality
G-Wagons offer a spacious and versatile interior, providing ample cargo space and passenger seating. This practicality makes the G-Wagon suitable for daily commuting, family use, and outdoor adventures. G-Wagons’ popularity has been further fueled by prominent celebrity endorsements and their appearances in pop culture. Many high-profile, including athletes, musicians, and actors, have been seen driving G-Wagons, amplifying their desirability and creating aspirational value.
History of G-Wagon
The G-WAGON was made into a civilian vehicle in 1979. The G-WAGON wasn’t available in the US for the first ten years during its initial production. However, people in the states could purchase them through grey market imports.
In 1980, the Vatican took delivery of a specially made G-wagon outfitted with a clear thermoplastic top which served as the Popemobile. In 1990, the civilian G-wagon took its first steps towards luxury with a wood-trimmed interior, four-wheel drive, cruise control, a stainless steel spare tire cover, and running boards.
The US market has only attained this vehicle throughout the years through a third-party company called Europa. Due to the high cost of legal imports and US standards, the vehicle was pushed to a six-figure price tag, adding rarity and exclusivity. After 20 years after its debut, Mercedes finally made it official to sell the G-WAGON in the US market in 2001.
Price of G Wagon
If you want the peasant model, the G 550, it starts at a lowly $122,000, a base price of an SUV of 122 grand. That is incredibly expensive. Step up to the G 63, and you get a better engine, a 5.5 liter twin-turbocharged V8 making 563 horsepower. It can do 60 miles an hour in under 5 seconds!
If you want to spend a ridiculous amount, opt for the G 65. It’s got the turbo v12 that makes 738 feet of torque. It also starts at $220,000.
Why would you buy a G wagon?
That’s a question you can probably ask almost every housewife in Los Angeles. People buy these cars as a status symbol because of their price tag and looks. It feels all over the place because it is so tall and narrow simultaneously, but that is part of its charm. Also, the G-WAGON is one of the unique vehicles on the road.
Learn more about cars:
Why Do Not Race Cars Have Airbags?
Why Is Toyota So Popular In Car Industry?
What Makes Japanese Cars So Reliable?
References:
“Algerian factory unveils new locally assembled truck for Algerian military.”
“Cross country 1/4 ton military jeeps”. ELBO.
“Mercedes-Benz G-Class to be produced till 2020”. MSN Arabia.
Padeanu, Adrian. “Mercedes G-Class Reaches Production Milestone: 400,000th SUV Assembled”. Motor1.
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