In May 2008, Mercedes-Benz announced another G-Class update. At that time, the sales range consisted unchanged of three models: the diesel-powered G 320 CDI and the potent petrol-powered eight-cylinder G 500 and G 55 AMG Kompressor. As part of the redesign, the G 500 from the market launch of the new models in September was equipped with a new engine – the 5.5-litre V8 of the M 273 engine series. The all-aluminium engine was a further development of the previously used M 113 and, by contrast, now had dual-camshaft cylinder heads and four-valve technology. The naturally aspirated engine developed a maximum output of 285 kW/388 hp at 6000 rpm and delivered a maximum torque of 530 Nm – 67 kW/92 hp or 74 Nm more than its predecessor. Thanks to this considerable increase in power, the driving performance potential of the G 500 moved significantly closer to that of the G 55 AMG Kompressor. Both were limited to a maximum speed of 210 km/h, and only in terms of acceleration performance did the AMG version still have slight advantages. The use of the new V8 in the G 500 also resulted in more favourable fuel consumption figures, which dropped by an average of around 2 litres to 14.7–14.9 litres per 100 km.
All models on offer were also equipped with the latest connectivity technology: A Bluetooth hands-free system for the mobile phone was standard, and a media interface was optionally available, which connected an external music storage device with the on-board electronics and the operating system of the respective vehicle. Externally, the revised G-Class was recognisable by a modified radiator grille with three louvres, and the G 500 in addition rolled on newly designed 18-inch light-alloy wheels.
The new radiator grille was also installed on the updated G 55 AMG, which was launched in September 2008 as well. It did, however, feature new 19-inch light-alloy wheels in AMG design. Its high-performance power unit with supercharger, unchanged from the M 113 engine series, was now calibrated to 373 kW/507 hp. Also on board the G 55 AMG was a new ESP® control unit that recognised dynamic driving manoeuvres more precisely than before, thus further optimising driving stability.
Gross list prices for the G 500 at launch ranged from € 91,392.00 for the long station wagon to € 92,344.00 charged for the convertible. The G 55 AMG Kompressor, available exclusively as a long station wagon, was listed at € 119,238.00.
The largest market for the G-Class in 2008 was Germany with a share of 30 % of total sales, followed by the USA with around 20 %. Diesel-powered models accounted for around 40 % of the total. In the USA, only the long station wagon was offered as the G 500 and G 55 AMG, later replaced by the G 55 AMG Kompressor. In total, around 200,000 vehicles had been delivered to customers all over the world since the introduction of the G-Class in 1979.
An important but less spotlighted component of the model range was still the G 500 long-wheelbase station wagon based on the G-Guard. The fully armoured G-Class, certified in accordance with the ballistic resistance classes VR6 or VR7, offered protection against small arms, handguns and long guns as well as against explosive charges of defined size.
Mercedes-Benz celebrated the 30th birthday of the 463-series G-Class with the special EDITION30 model. Externally, this version, created on the basis of the G 500 and available exclusively as a long station wagon, was distinguished by the platinum black designo paint finish, specially designed light-alloy wheels and EDITION30 lettering on the wings. In the interior of the G 500, a designo leather interior in the colour "chablis", combined with wood trim in anthracite poplar, likewise from the designo range , created a decidedly exclusive atmosphere. The Edition model was available for order from mid-February at gross list prices starting at € 97,461.00.
Mercedes-Benz made further refinements to the equipment of the G-Class models from the 463 model series in mid-2009: The focus was on a new seating system with ergonomically optimised front seats that offered even more comfort and lateral support. As part of the redesign, the rear bench seat was also updated and matched to the design of the driver and passenger seats. There was a choice of black or grey fabric upholstery and leather upholstery in black, grey or chestnut. Also new in the range were the particularly classy designo leather upholstery in classic red or black as well as piano black piano lacquer designo wood trim. As a special highlight, the designo range for the G-Class from the beginning of 2010 also included interior trim elements with a stone veneer surface in the colour labrador blue pearl. In addition, special features such as indirect interior ambient lighting, a leather-covered instrument panel, an extensive chrome package and a media interface for connecting iPod, USB or AUX devices further enhanced the level of comfort in the interior.
Also in mid-2009, the G 320 CDI, the only diesel-powered vehicle in the model line-up, which had been in the sales range for around three years, was renamed. Now called the G 350 CDI, it remained technically completely unchanged on the domestic market, but only until the following year. It was replaced by the new G 350 BlueTEC model in summer 2010. This meant that the state-of-the-art technology developed by Mercedes-Benz to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles also made its début in the G-Class. BlueTEC worked with AdBlue®, an aqueous urea solution injected into the exhaust gas flow. This released ammonia, which reduced up to 80 % of the nitrogen oxides to harmless nitrogen and water in the downstream SCR catalytic converter. As the G-Class was often used in remote areas of the world in accordance with its purpose, the engineers had integrated the refill opening for the AdBlue® fluid into the vehicle's external tank recess to simplify operation. The content of the AdBlue® auxiliary tank was sufficient for around 12,000 kilometres.
The OM 642 V6 diesel used in the G 350 BlueTEC had a slight reduction in power output from 165 kW/224 hp in the G 350 CDI to 155 kW/211 hp at an identical nominal engine speed of 3800 rpm as a result of the emission reduction measures, but provided the same peak torque of 540 Nm, which was available over a rev range from 1600 to 2400 rpm. Above all, however, the BlueTEC model offered significantly lower emission levels than its predecessor, with only minimal disadvantages in terms of driving performance, and even undercut the limits of the Euro 5 standard. In particular, NOx emissions were reduced by around 50 %.
At market launch, gross list prices for the G 350 BlueTEC, initially available in all three body styles, started at € 74,839.10 for the short-wheelbase station wagon and ranged from € 80,194.10 for the long station wagon to € 81,146.10 for the convertible.
This also marked the start of the last production cycle for the short station wagon, which was internally known as the BA3, as buyer interest in this body variant had cooled noticeably over the preceding years. However, to give this classic in the G-Class portfolio, which had been on offer since the off-roader was launched in 1979, a fitting farewell, Mercedes-Benz launched the "BA3 Final Edition" special model in spring 2011. This version, available as both the G 350 BlueTEC and the G 500, featured a wealth of high-quality equipment elements. These included AMG wing flares in the vehicle colour in conjunction with 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels with 265/60 R 18 tyres, an AMG radiator grille in 3-louvre design with chrome applications, side running boards and a spare wheel cover with Mercedes star in stainless steel. The package also included an electric sliding sunroof, metallic paint finish, an ultrasonic reversing aid and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The interior of the "Final Edition" was similarly upmarket. Here, for example, the special equipment included front multicontour seats in black leather, which also had seat climate control, burr walnut wood trim, ambient lighting, various chrome applications and a load compartment cover with additional stowage boxes. For these last closed G models with a short wheelbase, a gross list price of € 90,511.40 was charged for the diesel-engine version and € 100,685.90 for the V8 model. The BA3 models remained in the production programme until early summer 2012.
Parallel to the "BA3 Final Edition" models, Mercedes-Benz also launched a special model for the long G 500 station wagon. It bore the name "Edition Select" and was instantly recognisable by its two-tone paint finish, for which four special colours were available, each of which contrasted with the bumpers, outside mirrors and AMG wing flares, which were always in obsidian black metallic. Further visual accents include a radiator grille with chrome inlays, black-painted 18-inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels with 265/60 tyres, running boards with chrome protection bars and a chrome-coated underride guard. A sports exhaust system in AMG design was also on board to provide an acoustic backdrop to the exclusive appearance.
The interior design of the "Edition Select" models also played with the theme of two colours. Upholstery in designo porcelain/black leather could be specified, with solid black designo leather also available as an option. The black leather upholstery of the instrument panel, armrest, door handles and handbrake lever, some of which featured contrasting-coloured topstitching, created a decidedly luxurious atmosphere in the interior. Other features included the interior door panels trimmed in opulent refined leather, black designo velour floor mats with porcelain-coloured edge and designo wood trim parts with a black piano lacquer finish.
The additional equipment was rounded off with illuminated stainless steel door sill panels, crash-active luxury head restraints and a Harman Kardon surround sound system with a total output of 450 watts and a total of 12 loudspeakers. In view of its elaborate specification, the gross list price of € 6,735.40 for the "Edition Select" equipment package, which could be ordered separately, was considered very reasonable.
