New Mercedes-Benz G-Class takes ’80s inspiration

By Ryan Standen

| 17 Apr 2025

Classic & Sports Car – The new Mercedes-Benz G-Class is an ’80s-inspired off-roader

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a limited-edition G-Class that celebrates the model’s heritage.

The ‘Stronger than the 1980s’ version revives details from the classic G-Wagen – specifically the W460-generation 280GE built between 1979 and 1991.

In 2023, when the 500,000th Geländewagen rolled off the production line, a retro-styled G-Class was built to mark the milestone.

Unlike that car, which was a one-off, Mercedes-Benz will build 460 examples of the new, special-edition model – a nod to the original G-Wagen’s factory chassis code. Each will bear a numbered plaque.

Clockwise from top: the Mercedes-Benz G-Class ‘Stronger than the 1980s’ is available with Agave Green (right) and Colorado Beige paintwork; the design was inspired by the 1979 280GE; amber-tinted indicators

The most obviously noticeable throwbacks are the paintwork options.

Two new colours will be offered: Agave Green and Colorado Beige, which both pay homage to the original W460 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.

Likewise, the amber indicators on the front wings, the protective headlight grilles and black wheelarches call to mind the go-anywhere 280GE.

Plus, buyers can opt to fit their brand-new Mercedes-Benz G-Class ‘Stronger than the 1980s’ with a roof-mounted luggage rack.

Clockwise from top: ‘Stronger than the 1980s’ script on the passenger grabhandle; the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class celebrates the Austrian mountain where the original G-Wagen was tested; classic chequered trim

Five-spoke alloy wheels, mudflaps and the spare-wheel cover – adorned with the three-pointed star – add to the classic character.

On the bonnet, this special-edition G-Wagen ditches the marque’s current logo, instead reviving Mercedes’ silver-and-blue laurel wreath.

While the B-pillar's ‘Schöckl Proved’ emblem is a tribute to the Austrian mountain where the 280GE was put through its paces.

This limited-edition Mercedes-Benz reflects the love for the classic G-Wagen

The interior has some classic-inspired touches, too, including the chequered inserts on the part-leather seats.

This G-Wagen is available with one of two 3-litre, six-cylinder engines. There’s the petrol G500 with 463bhp and the 382bhp G450d – both considerably more than the 154bhp of the 1979 280GE’s M110 ‘six’.

Interested? Prices for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class ‘Stronger than the 1980s’ start at £152,815.

Images: Mercedes-Benz

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