Provider/Privacy
Search...
    Search...
      The development of the "G”

      In the desert with the prototype.

      The birth of a legend: in 1978, the developers of the G-Class completed extensive test drives in the Sahara with two prototypes. A truly extreme and demanding off-road terrain.

      Log in and keep reading
      Developers of the G-Class with two prototypes of the vehicle in the desert
      Developers of the G-Class with two prototypes of the vehicle in the desert

      In the desert with the prototype: in 1978, two G-Class development vehicles faced their first tests. See photos of the original “G” during test drives in the Sahara and witness the birth of the legend.

      How the G-Class became an off-roader.

      The sand dune towers above it like a mountain. The G-Class remains completely unimpressed. It accelerates smartly up to the top, overcoming the obstacle with ease. One year before the launch of the first G-Class, a team from Mercedes-Benz set off to thoroughly test every aspect of the off-roader in the Tunisian desert. Driver Heinrich Wangler looks back: "We really put the G-Class under the microscope, and were constantly amazed at its capabilities." This developed into a competition between the drivers and the G-Class, to see which would reach their limits first. Today it surprises nobody that the G-Class emerged the winner.

      Two prototypes of the G-Class in the desert
      Two prototypes of the G-Class in the desert

      We’ll send you into the desert.

      Exclusive content for members.

      Are you eager for more information about the Sahara test drives? Do you want to know what test drivers from back then still remember today? Then register immediately with your Mercedes me ID – it's quick, easy, and uncomplicated.
      Log in and keep reading
      Driving shot of the prototype G-Class

      Related Content

      Read more

      Arrow icon

      Back to Spotlight-G.

      Making-of

      Mercedes-Benz 280 GE from 1979

      Sensation: Epic Cube.

      The Amber Cube: 90 days of casting time, almost 45 tons of resin - and only one attempt. Find out how this timeless work of art was created for a timeless vehicle. In total, the cube weighs around 52 tons.

      Iconic models

      Historical models of Mercedes-Benz G-Class

      Hightlights of the G-Class history

      From Pioneer to Power-G: the 40-year history of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is rich in unforgettable moments. Join us on our foray into the milestone fleet.

      © 2024 Mercedes-Benz AG. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

      [1] Weitere Informationen zum offiziellen Kraftstoffverbrauch und den offiziellen spezifischen CO₂-Emissionen neuer Personenkraftwagen können dem "Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO₂-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch" neuer Personenkraftwagen entnommen werden, der an allen Verkaufsstellen und bei der Deutschen Automobil Treuhand GmbH unter www.dat.de unentgeltlich erhältlich ist.

      [2] Die angegebenen Werte wurden nach dem vorgeschriebenen Messverfahren ermittelt. Es handelt sich um die „NEFZ-CO₂-Werte“ i. S. v. Art. 2 Nr. 1 Durchführungsverordnung (EU) 2017/1153. Die Kraftstoffverbrauchswerte wurden auf Basis dieser Werte errechnet. Der Stromverbrauch wurde auf der Grundlage der VO 692/2008/EG ermittelt.

      [3] Die angegebenen Werte wurden nach dem Messverfahren WLTP (Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure) ermittelt. Die angegebenen Spannweiten beziehen sich auf ECE-Märkte. Der Energieverbrauch und der CO2-Ausstoß eines Pkw sind nicht nur von der effizienten Ausnutzung des Kraftstoffs bzw. des Energieträgers durch den Pkw, sondern auch vom Fahrstil und anderen nichttechnischen Faktoren abhängig.