Few vehicles can stir emotions like the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon… and after driving a special edition G400d for a few days, it is clear that you can’t just push a legacy such as this to the side.
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Mercedes-Benz G400d Edition 45 Fast Facts:
- Price: R3 706 052
- Engine: 3.0-litre, turbodiesel, inline-6
- Power: 243 kW @ 3 600 – 4 200 r/min
- Torque: 700 N.m @ 1 200 – 3 200 r/min
- Gears/Drive: 9-speed, AWD
- Economy: 9.6 L/100 km (claimed)
- 0-100 km/h: 6.4 seconds
- Top speed: 210 km/h
- Maintenance Plan: 5-year/100 000 km
- Warranty: 2-year/unlimited km
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagon or Geländewagen as it’s also referred to, has been around since 1979. And yes, the design has not changed much over the years. A few nips and tucks here, and a straightening there have all contributed to the SUV’s, shall we say, timeless design. As a whole, the vehicle is not necessarily what ‘woke culture’ will deem PC (politically correct), but the G, in its current form, is a brilliant middle finger to what the current culture sees as appropriate.
To celebrate 45 years of G-Wagon, Mercedes-Benz launched two special edition models in South Africa. The G63 Grand Edition will see a production run of 1 000 global units, of which only 20 are allocated to the South African market. The price? R5 474 512, before options.
Related: Mercedes-AMG G63 4Matic+ Speedshift-TCT 9G Road Test
The other model in question is the G400d – the turbodiesel variant of the Geländewagen – the one we spent some time with. Badged the ’45 Edition’, this special SUV pays homage to the almost five decades the G-Wagon has been around. While it is not as dear as its fire-breathing V8 sibling, it still demands R3 706 052. Included in the price is a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
What Makes it Special?
The Mercedes-Benz G400d Edition 45 is a time capsule, if we can call it that. It literally transports its occupants to a time when cars were still cars, devoid of fancy tricks and gimmicks. The doors, for example, must be closed with purpose, and a loud, metal thud accompanies the action.
The Mercedes-Benz G400d Edition 45 is not just another G-Wagon. It comes complete with a host of accent upgrades; all aimed at enhancing its must-have appeal. From the off, the Emerald Green metallic paint gives the impression that this G has a black hue, but upon closer inspection, and when the light hits it at just the right angle, it shows the unique sparkle the SUV is endowed with.
The exterior is standard G-Class and is capped with massive 5-twin Spoke 20-inch wheels. It’s an attention grabber and one that is hard to ignore in any setting. The G400d Edition 45 is also kitted with the MANUFAKTUR Logo package. Here, the MANUFAKTUR logo is strewn throughout the cabin, and on the spare wheel cover is the MANUFAKTUR headquarters in Graz, Austria, where the first G-Classes were built almost entirely by hand.
On-Road Presence
While the G-Wagon is a commanding vehicle to drive, and one with tons of on-road presence, it is a vehicle made for onlookers. With 243 kW and 700 N.m at its disposal, the big G can move, but the drawbacks come to the fore almost immediately. The kerb weight, for example, is a hefty 2 472 kg. Mix that with an aerodynamically inapt design and you get a vehicle that is a lot more comfortable maintaining its speed in a straight line.
There is a fair amount of body roll and steering correction when tackling bends with vigour, underlining the comment that this SUV is made to entice the public eye.
And that, then, is where the magic of the G-Wagon shines through. While it can haul five passengers and their luggage on a weekend getaway, it is best enjoyed when driven ‘responsibly’. Drivers will undoubtedly soak up the aura and atmosphere that come with commandeering a Geländewagen, while Joe Public has no choice but to look and nod in respect for perhaps the grandest SUV of them all.
As for the woke police, the real-world fuel return is around 15 L/100 km.
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In Summary
The Mercedes-Benz G400d Edition 45 is not just an SUV. It’s a symbol of timelessness and an authoritative figure in the annals of automotive history. While it does not appeal to everyone, it garners widespread respect and interest from just about anyone.
Though a facelifted model is expected either at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025, as well as the all-electric G-Wagon, the EQG, the Edition 45 is a worthy cherry on top of what will forever be a non-PC statement of intent.
