For close to 40 years, the Mercedes G-Class has defined what an off-roading vehicle ought to be. Robust and tough-as-nails, the Mercedes G Class is a legend for its ability to course through any terrain. From the sturdy ladder-type frame of this off-roader that creates its iconic boxy shape to the grab handle for the front passenger, the G-Class is truly, form meets function.

The idea behind the G-Class

In 1979, the Mercedes ‘Geländewagen’ was born as a cross-country vehicle. The first-ever Mercedes G-Class — the 460 series drove through German coalfields, the Sahara desert, and the Arctic Circle before it hit the roads. Till date, the G-Class, across generations, can withstand the most extreme climates and travel to the most remote corners of the world. For instance, in 2006, a completely standard Mercedes-Benz G 500 was driven to the coldest permanently inhabited place on earth where a temperature of -71.2 degrees Celsius was once recorded.

The 4x4’s many takers

In the annals of history, the G-Class has appealed to all kinds of users for varying purposes. One such user is the military who found the first of the G-Class — the 460 Series in line with their activities. In fact, to date, 63 armies have sprung into action through the vehicle.

The other singular user of the G-Class was Pope John Paul II who got this Mercedes off-roader custom-made in 1980. Just a year after the G-Class’s launch, the Habermas Popemobile, which is what this Pope vehicle was called, captured popular imagination vividly. It had a folding windscreen, handrails and steps in the rear for entry for the pontiff. In 2007, too, Mercedes made headlines as it designed a G 500 in the Vatican mystic white colour to go with Pope Benedict XVI’s robes.

Pope Mobile G-Wagen

The strength of the G-Class’s DNA can be attributed to a host of skilled craftsmen, engineers and designers, in Graz — the birth place of the G-Class, who pour themselves into making the superior performance vehicle by hand.

The latest game-changer

The new generation Mercedes-AMG G 63 promises the biggest changes in the history of G-Class. While retaining its rugged, iconic exterior look, the new G-Class comes with upgraded technology and premium interiors. The vehicle is powered by a 585-horsepower 4.0 litre V8 bi-turbo engine and attains 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, achieving supercar standards.

The frame of the car is invincible with the new AMG bumper design with AMG-specific radiator grille. A new bodyshell, optional 55-inch wheels, and a side-exiting AMG performance exhaust system makes this Mercedes off-roader a combination of bodily strength and engine efficiency.

To capture the driver’s instincts seamlessly, the AMG Ride Control suspension helps the vehicle tackle any terrain with smoothness and agility. The fully automatic, electronically controlled system adjusts the damping at each wheel, enabling a comfortable ride on and off-the-road.

The bearer of an impressive legacy, the new Mercedes-AMG G 63 carries forward the flagship features of the G-Class. For instance, the door handles, exterior protective strip, exposed spare wheel on the tailgate, the turn indicators and the grab handle for the front passenger mark their distinct presence in the G 63.

And yet, this model marks a new chapter in SUVs. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 is lighter than its predecessors, thanks to a unique material mix for the bodyshell that consists of various grades of steel. The wings, bonnet and doors are made of aluminium. This intelligent design has increased the torsional rigidity of the frame, body shell and body mounts — making the handling of the vehicle a more certain exercise.

With vibrations and noise becoming lesser on the inside, the interiors get serious about luxury. The seats come in an AMG exclusive Nappa leather with an optional massage function. There is also a new Command Online function that assists the driver at all levels while the Burmester surround sound system amplifies the comfortable drive. A solid combination of tradition and innovation, the new Mercedes-AMG G 63 is unmistakably a G-Wagen, but one that can do everything better than the preceding models.

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To know more about the new Mercedes-AMG G 63 and how it redefines the G-Wagen, click here.

This article was produced by the Scroll marketing team on behalf of Mercedes and not by the Scroll editorial team.