G-Class premieres

  • Date
    5 - 10 February 1979
  • Description
    In Toulon, France, the Mercedes-Benz 460-series cross-country vehicle developed in cooperation with Steyr-Daimler-Puch is unveiled to the press. Produced in Graz, Austria, the range includes four models, which can be ordered with two different wheelbase lengths and five different body variants. The model line-up ranges from the 240 GD, 300 GD and 230 G up to the 280 GE, with output rising from 53 kW / 72 hp to 110 kW / 150 hp.
Mercedes-Benz G-series, off-road vehicle, 460 model series, available from 1979 with four different engines, in five body styles with two different wheelbases. From top left to bottom right: Station wagon long, mahogany brown (DB 8456) special paintwork, panel van long, convertible, each with carmine red (RAL 3002) standard paintwork, station wagon short, agave green (DB 6880) standard paintwork .
79F123
230 G, 240 GD, 280 GE, 300 GD, off-road vehicle - W 460
Mercedes-Benz 230 G, convertible, off-road vehicle, 460 model series, 1979 version, carmine red (RAL 3002) standard paintwork, halogen fog lamps, spare wheel on the rear end (optional extras).
79F111
230 G, off-road vehicle - W 460
Mercedes-Benz 240 GD - 280 GE, station wagon short (2400 mm wheelbase), off-road vehicle, 460 model series, 1979 version, cream (RAL 9001) standard paintwork. At the wheel, the test driver of the G models and later Pope chauffeur, Heinrich Wangler.
79F113
230 G, 240 GD, 280 GE, 300 GD, off-road vehicle - W 460
Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicle, 460 model series, 1979 version. Left: 300 GD, station wagon long, wheat yellow (DB 1681) standard paintwork, interior brown fabric (right). Right: 230 G, convertible, agave green (DB 6880) standard paintwork. With a gradeability of up to 80 per cent and lateral driving stability even at a lean angle of 54 per cent, the 230 G, 240 GD, 280 GE and 300 GD models master even the most difficult off-road driving situations with ease. Contributing to this are the ground clearance of 21 centimetres, the approach angle of 36 degrees and departure angle of 27 degrees, the fording depth of up to 60 centimetres and an axle articulation of 260 millimetres (with helical springs).
79F115
230 G, 300 GD, off-road vehicle - W 460
Mercedes-Benz G-series, off-road vehicle, 460 model series, available from 1979 with four different engines, in five body styles with two different wheelbases. From top to bottom: Convertible, station wagon short, panel van long, station wagon long. Each with spare wheel on the rear end (optional extra).
C28226
230 G, 240 GD, 280 GE, 300 GD, off-road vehicle - W 460
Mercedes-Benz 230 G, convertible, off-road vehicle, 460 model series, 1979 version, agave green (DB 6880) standard paintwork. So-called "high-flyer" shot from 1978 in Gran Canaria, Spain. At the wheel at 60 km/h, the test driver of the G models and later Pope chauffeur, Heinrich Wangler. A special permit existed for driving in the dunes after 6 p.m. Classic Magazine 02.2019, No. 57, page 8.
79F126
230 G, convertible, off-road vehicle - W 460, with test driver Heinrich Wangler
Mercedes-Benz 300 GD, station wagon long, off-road vehicle, 460 model series, 1979 version, wheat yellow (DB 1681) standard paintwork, interior brown fabric. With a gradeability of up to 80 per cent and lateral driving stability even at a lean angle of 54 per cent, the 230 G, 240 GD, 280 GE and 300 GD models master even the most difficult off-road driving situations with ease. Contributing to this are the ground clearance of 21 centimetres, the approach angle of 36 degrees and departure angle of 27 degrees, the fording depth of up to 60 centimetres and an axle articulation of 260 millimetres (with helical springs).
00188243
300 GD, off-road vehicle - W 460
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