PKW4263 463 series cross-country vehicles, 1989 - 2000

463 series cross-country vehicles, 1989 - 2000

A new chapter in the history of the G-Class began in September 1989, when a fundamentally revised model range – internal designation: model series 463 – was presented. The focus of the comprehensive measures taken was to meet the ever-increasing customer demands for more comfort and to take the step from a sober working machine to a cultivated, well-equipped multi-purpose vehicle. The interior design of the new model generation was accordingly strongly car-oriented; this impression was reinforced by the stylistically discreetly revised front section, which was painted in the vehicle colour.

Inevitably, this shift in emphasis in the G-Class character also resulted in far-reaching technical changes. The main focus here was on the powertrain, which had been modified to increase comfort and was now equipped with permanent instead of selectable all-wheel drive, as well as three differential locks that could be activated at the touch of a button as standard. This meant that tensions in the drivetrain, which had arisen with the front axle engaged due to the previously rigid through-drive, especially in road operation, were a thing of the past. In addition, thanks to the permanent all-wheel drive, the anti-lock brake system ABS, which had been well proven in the passenger car models, was now no longer withheld from off-road vehicle customers and was offered in a version that could be switched off.

The engine range had also been restructured: While the 69 kW/94 hp 2.5-litre five-cylinder diesel engine operating in the 250 GD and the fuel-injected 2.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which with 93 kW/126 hp served in the 230 GE, were already known from model series 460 and were now used in a revised version, two modern six-cylinder in-line engines were used in the off-roader for the first time: the OM 603 diesel in the 300 GD model and the M 103 petrol engine in the 300 GE, both naturally aspirated engines with a displacement of 3.0 litres. While the compression-ignition engine provided 83 kW/113 hp at 4600 rpm, the smooth petrol engine delivered a rated output of 125 kW/170 hp at 5500 rpm. All available petrol engines were equipped with a controlled three-way catalytic converter as standard. A special feature for the Italian market was the GE 200 model, which was adapted to the local tax legislation. It was available for all body styles and was powered by a version of the M 102 with 87 kW/118 hp, reduced to a displacement of 2.0 litres.

In line with the intended use, the off-road vehicles from model series 463 were no longer available as panel vans. The choice was between the so-called "open-top car" with short wheelbase, which was now called a convertible, and the two versions of the station wagon. For professional users, the model series 460 vehicles with all body variants and the proven engine range remained in the sales programme for the time being.

The structure of the gross list prices at the time of the launch of model series 463 started at DM 59,337.00 for a 250 GD Cabriolet and ranged up to DM 79,287.00 charged for a 300 GE as a long-wheelbase station wagon. With around 2800 units, the latter also proved to be the most produced model of this early phase.

The off-road vehicles from model series 463 had also been continuously developed since their market launch: The focus was particularly on changes to the engine range, which resulted in numerous new model designations. To meet the demand for more engine power, the 350 GD Turbo was launched in spring 1992 – the first turbocharged diesel engine to be fitted in a G-Class model. The 3.5-litre in-line six-cylinder engine used here also came from the OM 603 engine series and produced 100 kW/136 hp at 4600 rpm. This power unit was particularly impressive with its maximum torque of 305 Nm at 1800 rpm. A 4-speed automatic transmission was used as standard in the 350 GD Turbo.

At its market launch, the first turbodiesel-powered G-Class model sold for gross list prices ranging from DM 86,526.00 for the convertible to DM 93,936.00 for the long station wagon. With a total of almost 4,300 vehicles produced, it proved to be particularly successful when measured against the number of units produced for civilian G-Class models at the time.

While the least powerful model, the 250 GD, was also dropped from the range in spring 1992, the 500 GE V8, newly introduced in 1993, sent an initial signal regarding the future development of model series 463 at the other end of the scale. Equipped with the 177 kW/241 hp 5.0-litre V8 of the M 117 engine series, which until then had been reserved for the traditional Mercedes-Benz passenger car range, this luxuriously appointed top-of-the-range model was produced in a small series of less than 450 vehicles until 1994. Its gross list price of DM 178,250.00 reflected the exclusivity of the 500 GE V8.

In September 1993, the model designations of the off-road vehicles were adapted to the new nomenclature system for passenger car models; the "G" now preceded the three-digit number and the additions "E" and "D" were dropped. At the end of 1993, the G 320 petrol model completed the range. It was likewise available in the three familiar variants convertible, short station wagon and long station wagon. The power was provided by the 155 kW/210 hp four-valve in-line six-cylinder engine of the M 104 engine series with a displacement of 3.2 litres, already familiar from the S-Class and E-Class. Like the G 350 Turbodiesel, the G 320 was equipped with the four-speed automatic transmission as standard. Still available at this time was the G 200 with four-cylinder petrol engine specified for export to Italy.

A good six months later, in July 1994, there was a far-reaching streamlining of the domestic sales programme. The G 230, G 300 and G 300 Diesel models were discontinued, as their engines in some respects no longer met the further increased customer requirements. The discontinuation of the G 230 also marked the end of the era of models with four-cylinder-engines in the 463 series. After the demise of the G 300 Diesel, the more powerful G 350 Turbodiesel remained the only diesel model in the range until it too was replaced in September 1996 by the G 300 Turbodiesel, whose engine had been thoroughly modernised. In contrast to its predecessor, it had a turbocharged engine with a state-of-the-art design featuring four-valve technology, two overhead camshafts and intercooling. The power output of the in-line six-cylinder engine of the OM 606 series was 130 kW/177 hp – exactly 30 kW/40 hp more than that of the previous power unit; the maximum torque was also increased by 10% and was now available over a wide rev range. The optimised combustion had also significantly reduced pollutant emissions and fuel consumption. Also noteworthy was the use of an electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission, with which the G 300 Turbodiesel was equipped as standard. The "New Automatic Transmission" was not only more compact and lighter than comparable designs with five gears, it also had a particularly high level of efficiency thanks to the integration of a slip-controlled torque converter lock-up clutch.

The range of gross list prices for the new diesel model in the month of its launch started at DM 101,487.50 for the convertible version and went up to DM 107,812.50 for the long-wheelbase station wagon.

The year 1997 was again marked by comprehensive facelift measures. In June, a new version of the convertible with an electro-hydraulically operated soft top was introduced, which had already been presented at the International Off-Road Vehicle Show in Munich in April. When unlatched, the soft top could be opened or closed in about 30 seconds with a single push of a button. The new design was recognisable by the triangular side panels behind the roll bar, each with an additional small window, which covered the massive main bearings with the complex soft top kinematics and at the same time minimised wind noise due to the reduced fabric surface area.

Six months later, there was another substantial change: The six-cylinder in-line engine used in the G 320 until then, the only petrol-powered model available in Germany in the sales programme, was replaced by a completely newly developed V6 engine of identical displacement, which had already been presented nine months earlier in the E-Class. Notable innovations were the three-valve technology with two intake valves and one exhaust valve as well as the phase-shifted dual ignition. When developing the new V-engine generation with a cylinder bank angle of 90°, the focus was on achieving a more stout torque curve and reducing fuel consumption. The increase in output to 158 kW/215 hp compared to the 155 kW/210 hp in-line engine was therefore moderate. The power transmission was handled by the 5-speed automatic with electronic control already familiar from the G 300 Turbodiesel.

Other innovations introduced at this time served to simplify maintenance, among other things: All models from model series 463 were now equipped with disc brakes on the rear axle, from which the 290 GD Turbodiesel from model series 461 had already benefited a few months earlier. The G 320 also received the "ASSYST" flexible maintenance system, which calculated the service appointments with the help of an electronic maintenance computer based on the actual strain and operating conditions of the vehicle.

Four years after the end of the 500 GE V8, which was produced on a small-series basis, a new V8-powered top model of the G-Class was presented to the public in April 1998, again at the International Off-Road Show in Munich. The 218 kW/296 hp 5.0-litre engine of the M 113 series, also equipped with three-valve technology and phase-shifted dual ignition, had a high maximum torque of 456 Nm, which was already available from 2800 rpm, and enabled a driving performance that with a top speed of 190 km/h came close to that of a luxury saloon. In addition to superior engine power, however, the G 500 was also characterised by an extensive range of standard equipment, including air conditioning, metallic paintwork, leather upholstery, electric seat adjustment, heated front seats and radio with cassette player. Externally, the top model was recognisable by its newly styled 18-inch light-alloy wheels, the chrome-effect crossbars in the radiator grille and the V8 emblems on the vehicle flanks; in addition, the cover lenses of both the front and side indicators were white and the tail lamps were bichromatic.

The G 500 was available from June 1998 in all known body variants, and at gross list prices which at that time ranged from DM 138,852.00 for the convertible version to DM 140,592.00 for the long station wagon. During its production cycle, which lasted until the turn of the millennium, the latter model proved to be by far the most successful single model in model series 463, with over 4,400 units produced.

In the following year, Mercedes-Benz also offered armoured special protection versions of the top model for the first time, based on the long station wagon under the model designation G 500 Guard, which were certified according to either protection class B4 or B6. Both differed from the standard version in a number of technical equipment elements, including the use of special 16-inch tyres, which entailed a weight-related limitation of the top speed to 170 km/h.

Resulting from the great success of the G 500 and pointing the way for the further development of model series 463, a first high-performance version was made available from July 1999, the model designation of which was accompanied by the promising suffix "AMG". Available on special customer request, the G 55 AMG combined performance data from the realm of high-end sports cars with the highest level of comfort, without in any way compromising the exemplary off-road competence of a G-Class model – a combination of features that gave the G 55 AMG a unique position in its segment.

To mark the 20th production anniversary of the G-Class, Mercedes-Benz launched the G 500 Classic special model limited to 400 units in spring 1999. Among other things, a special paint finish that shimmered between black and a dark aubergine shade depending on the incidence of light, bumpers painted in vehicle colour and 18-inch light-alloy wheels with high-sheen finish ensured an exclusive appearance. The interior of the Edition model, which was available as a convertible or station wagon in both wheelbase variants, featured black and purple nappa leather seats with correspondingly designed interior door panels and large burr walnut applications on the steering wheel, selector lever, centre console and in the rear. The equipment package also included illuminated door sill panels, an ultrasonic reversing aid, heated rear seats and an anti-theft alarm system. All G-Class models also benefited from a revised instrument cluster and a multifunction steering wheel.

Vigorous acceleration was provided by an enlarged version of the V8 engine, which had already been used in the G 500, with a displacement of just under 5.5 litres. Thanks to a performance-enhancing redesign carried out by the Affalterbach specialists at AMG, the naturally aspirated engine now provided 260 kW/354 hp at an unchanged 5500 rpm – 42 kW/58 hp more than its predecessor. The maximum torque had also increased to 525 Nm at 3000 rpm. These performance figures enabled the G 55 AMG, which weighed at least 2.3 tonnes, to reach a top speed of 209 km/h in all body styles and sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds – new dimensions for an off-road vehicle of this design.

The other technology as well as the tasteful and luxurious equipment of the high-performance model, which included all the usual amenities of the time, largely corresponded to those of the G 500. However, customers who had opted for the AMG version were not able to resort to a production-based vehicle in the true sense of the word. Instead, they had to order a regular G 500 and additionally the corresponding AMG technology package, consisting of the enlarged V8 engine including the matching two-pipe exhaust system exiting on both sides in front of the rear wheels. In this case, the complete conversion to a G 55 AMG, including the above-mentioned components, was invoiced at an additional DM 37,120.00. It could be combined with all three available body variants.

In this configuration, the gross list price for a G 55 AMG Cabriolet added up to at least DM 178,060.00, for a station wagon with short wheelbase to at least DM 167,272.00 and for the long station wagon to at least DM 175,624.00.

Loading