Mercedes G-Wagen - Everything You Need To Know | Up to Speed

The Mercedes G-Wagen is one of the most capable off-roaders ever built. You might not know that. Because somewhere along the way this badass military mover became a hyper-luxurious status symbol for fancy folks, who’ll probably never take them off the pavement. How did this happen? And is the 2022 G-Wagen as capable as its military ancestors? Find out with host James Pumphrey as he dives into the odd saga of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen!

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Donut Media is at the center of digital media for the next generation of automotive and motorsports enthusiasts. We are drivers, drifters, and car enthusiasts who love to tell stories.

[Derek_]

While I was in Afghanistan, I had an early 1980’s G-Wagon that was once owned by a Soviet general. That truck could anywhere in any weather. I loved that truck.

[JulezWinnfield]

Back in the 80's when I was in the Army stationed in Germany, my unit had a Gelandewagen in our fleet. It was a 2 door no frills utilitarian military vehicle and I drove it a lot. I never imagined 30 years later, it would become a $120, 000 mall crawler.

[ShadowRaptor]

I used to think the stereotype about G-Wagens everywhere in Beverley Hills was a joke until I actually went there for a day

[WatchGeek]

In my country most of these are still the basic ones used for off road including the Puch variants

[jamieberezyuk]

I work for Mercedes and I absolutely love the g wagon! The training for the older g wagon went in depth about the differential locking system, now the training is just about the added luxury. But they are absolutely fun to drive!

[zodiac]

At this point, I'm waiting for a D-List where James starts the episode by saying, "Cars....Ya ever heard of 'em??"

[lexus_offroad_adventures]

Best part about these trucks hands down is the sound when you shut the doors. Such a satisfying *click*

[Pavlos_Charalambous]

I got to admit I have a soft spot for G wagens, since I learned how to drive on military G-240 during my service back in 2003 ❤️

[ThomasZadro]

My father, a former Mercedes engineer, once ran accidentally in some German soldiers who tested their tank in the same area where he was testing a G-Class. They discussed the capabilities of their vehicles and eventually, since the soldiers insisted that their tank would be better for driving through that terrain, proposed a bet. For keeping the story short: My father enjoyed his beer :-)

[Gorvaunity]

Mercedes already had a lot of experience on the off-road department, they've been building Unimogs since the 1940s.

[mathewhumvee]

They still do make a hardcore G-Wagen, it's called the "Professional". Keeps the sold front axels, hose down interior, diesel engine, and upgraded suspension. It's borderline the same vehicle sold to the military. it's not uncommon for Mercedes Benz during press events of the G-Wagen to have a few "Professional" models for support. It's literally the G-Wagen to help when the normal G-Wagen can't make it. They even made a 6x6 version for the military, which got turned into the AMG 6x6.

It was never sold to the public in North America, but in some parts of the world, you can still get the true monster.

Look up "Military-Spec Mercedes-Benz G-Class W464" and you will see it. Mercedes Benz for some reason has gone to great lengths to make this difficult to find for the public. I wonder why?

[telekouti]

First time I stayed for the ad since K&N is the only company that has been advertised here and has products available in my country. And their air filters are great too. Just clocked 200.000 kilometres with a K&N air filter in my Fiat Seicento.

[bele]

In Germany, it's always been called the G class (G-Klasse or G-Modell). I've actually mainly seen it driven by foresters and hunters over here.

[chuckmoore]

The Marine Corps had them in the early 2000s. We called them IFAV, Intergrated fast attack vehicle! You could fit 2 in the back of a 46 or 53 instead of slinging them underneath. I got to admit, they can handle some pretty impressive stuff!

[JICHAEL_MRDAN]

I never would’ve thought that my hometown would get a mention in a donut video!

Love your content guys and girls
Lots of love from Cologne, Germany 💯

[sondre]

Drove the 1982 G-Wagon for a year in the norwegian army. Great offroad car. Almost all the original parts still. An amazing car with its tiny 72hp (probably way less now). Loved it:) rode it last year btw!

[sampotratz]

The 2018 Geländewagen facelift was actually very significant. All earlier versions of G were a mashup of other Mercedes models interior components, had solid front and rear axles, cross over steering system and mainly only engine/transmission variants changed. Post facelift G's are more rounded in the corners have very unique interior compared to the rest of vehicles offered by Mercedes as well as having independent front suspension and rack and pinion steering which makes the new G handle wayyyy better on road than the previous one. That being said, I would take a 2013 G550 (last year of the NA m273 V8) or 2006 G55 or G500 with a m113 over a new one. Prefacelift G definitely has more personality and feels more rugged and less posh than the new one.

[PamirAufSee]

15:10 "Thanks to the marines, Mercerdes never stopped producing the G-Class..." I don't think that's true because the German Bundeswehr (german armed forces) is using it since ~1990 all the way up to this day in various varients and has around 12, 000 of them. So, i doubt Mercedes continued production just because of 157 cars the marines ordered.

[psychlops]

I’ve heard it be explained this way: “The G Wagen is the kind of car that if you love it, you love it, and if you hate it, it’s because you can’t afford it.”

[arturoquiroz]

I love that Donut posts the videos as soon I’m about to each at lunch at work.