Mercedes-Benz G-Class Stronger Than the 1980s – terribly-named limited edition celebrates 4×4’s heritage
Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to dipping into the dictionary to come up with ever longer model names – witness the GT63S E Performance 4-Door Coupé, or the CLA350 4Matic with EQ Technology. But Stuttgart has well and truly gone off the deep end with its latest limited-edition W465 G-Class, which is called – wait for it – the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Stronger Than the 1980s. Yup, you read that right.
The word vomit is almost enough to put people off the whole thing, but it shouldn’t, because the car itself is actually pretty cool. In essence, this is the less limited version of the one-off 500,000th G-Class that rolled off the production line in 2023; demand for the retro-styled 4×4 was so strong that Mercedes decided to create 460 units of basically that exact car.
As the name and production run suggest, the special G-Class celebrates the original civilian W460 that was introduced back in 1979, specifically the straight-six 280GE that formed the backbone of the geländewagen‘s lineup in the ’80s. Mimicking the original’s no-nonsense black trim, the grille and headlight surrounds, bumpers, fender flares and door mirrors are all finished in matte night black magno.
The car also gets a selection of parts from the standard G-Class’ Professional Line Exterior package, including headlight grilles, mud flaps and all-terrain tyres wrapping the classic 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. The Professional roof rack and ladder is available as an option.
Other unique touches include orange indicator lenses, smoked headlight internals, the original blue Mercedes-Benz bonnet roundel with laurel wreath graphics, an original ’80s “Mercedes-Benz” silver rear badge and a simple black vinyl spare wheel cover.
This being a Mercedes-Benz Manufaktur product, buyers will receive the Manufaktur logo package that includes black door handle buttons embossed with the letter G, as well as a logo projection that shows the “G – Stronger Than Time” lettering on the ground. The car also comes in two Manufaktur solid paint finishes, these being agave green (the same hue that dressed the 500,000th G-Class) and Colorado beige.
The latest W465 G-Class’ interior is far too modern to bear any sort of resemblance to the original. However, an attempt has been made to bridge the gap anyway, with plaid dove grey fabric centres adorning the black leather seats. The classic grab handle on the passenger side also gets “Stronger Than The 1980s” etched into the wood trim, while the production run has been scribed onto the centre console.
Last but not least are nods to the G-Class’ proving ground in the Schökl mountains – the area’s topography in the illuminated side sill scuff plates and a unique design for the “Schökl Proved” badges with the car painted in the chosen exterior colour. A Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sunroof and a Burmester 3D sound system are part of the standard equipment.
The Stronger Than The 1980s (ugh) is available with the regular G-Class’ two 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-sixes. The G450d produces 367 PS and 750 Nm of torque and gets from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, while the G500 churns out 449 PS and 560 Nm, hurling the leviathan to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds.
Both models receive a 20 PS/200 Nm 48-volt mild hybrid electric motor and are mated to a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive, a low-range transfer case and mechanical locking centre, front and rear differentials.
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