Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen G-Class

The Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen 4x4 Utility Truck (German for All Terrain Vehicle) is often referred to as the G-Class or G-Wagen. It was developed for sale to military customers as a joint effort with Mercedes-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Austria. The G-Wagen has evolved to meet military needs and has also been marketed as a high-end luxury vehicle.

First produced in 1979, the G-Wagen has had a proliferation of models to meet the spectrum of military requirements. It has served the German Army, where the G-Wagen is known as Wolf, and has found military customers in NATO countries, Canada, Singapore and many other nations. In the United States military, the USMC Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV) is a modified version of the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen 290.

Canadian Army Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen G-Wagen
Canadian Army Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen G-Wagen.

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Mercedes-Benz 4x4 Geländewagen (G-Wagen) G-Class Characteristics

Length 164 inches (4.165 m)
Width 67 inches (1.7 m)
Height 79 inches (2.005 m)
Wheelbase 94.5 inches (2.4 m)
Fording depth 24 inches (0.6 m)
Engine 5 cyl, turbocharged and intercooled water-cooled diesel
Transmission 5 speed automatic
Transfer case VG080 2 speed, selectable 4wd
Max load 3300 lbs (1500 kg)

The G-Wagen has a 24v electrical system with a 28V/60A alternator. It is equipped with power steering, brakes are disc in front and drum rear, and suspension is coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers.

Table based on Canadian Army 4 passenger G-Wagen Light Utility Vehicle.

Paratroopers, 9th Royal Malay Regiment (RMR), drive a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen GD290 assault vehicle mounted with an M2 .50 caliber machine gun, from Landing Craft Air-Cushion 73, during an amphibious assault exercise, Pahang, Malaysia, 30 July 2006
Paratroopers, 9th Royal Malay Regiment (RMR), drive a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen GD290 assault vehicle mounted with an M2 .50 caliber machine gun, from Landing Craft Air-Cushion 73, during an amphibious assault exercise, Pahang, Malaysia, 30 July 2006.

Norwegian Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen MB-240GD trucks, Kongsberg, Norway, 8 October 2005. Photo: Harald Hansen via Wikimedia Commons
Norwegian Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen 240GD trucks, Kongsberg, Norway, 8 October 2005. Photo: Harald Hansen via Wikimedia Commons.

German Army ambulance version of Mercedes Benz G250 (delivered 1994). As of February 2008, this unit for sale by Hagedorn Handels GmbH. Photo courtesy Hagedorn Handels GmbH
Cab interior, German Army ambulance version of Mercedes Benz G250 (delivered 1994). As of February 2008, this unit for sale by Hagedorn Handels GmbH. Photo courtesy Hagedorn Handels GmbH.

Cab interior, German Army ambulance version of Mercedes Benz G250 (delivered 1994). As of February 2008, this unit for sale by Hagedorn Handels GmbH. Photo courtesy Hagedorn Handels GmbH
Cab interior, German Army ambulance version of Mercedes Benz G250 (delivered 1994). As of February 2008, this unit for sale by Hagedorn Handels GmbH. Photo courtesy Hagedorn Handels GmbH.

Rear enclosure interior, German Army ambulance version of Mercedes Benz G250 (delivered 1994). As of February 2008, this unit for sale by Hagedorn Handels GmbH. Photo courtesy Hagedorn Handels GmbH
Rear enclosure interior, German Army ambulance version of Mercedes Benz G250 (delivered 1994). As of February 2008, this unit for sale by Hagedorn Handels GmbH. Photo courtesy Hagedorn Handels GmbH.