Hypebeast Tells Fabled Tale of the G-Wagen in Under Four Minutes
G-Wagen, world’s best 4×4 can be traced all the way back to the Dernburg Wagon of 1907, the world’s first vehicle with AWD steering.
The easiest explanation is often the correct one. Case in point: The Mercedes G-Wagen is, was, and always will be cool. But sometimes, you need to stop and ask why. Yes, 4x4s are inherently cool, but there are a lot of them on the market, and sheiks, celebrities, and the ultra-wealthy aren’t clamoring for just any go-anywhere machine out there. And, of course, the G-Wagen can also be optioned as one of the most opulent vehicles in the world. But that still doesn’t explain it. What exactly happened to make Benz’s scrappy, ’70s-era army jeep the gold standard for luxury trucks for 40-plus years now?
Well, Hypebeast’s YouTube channel has gone down a brief but deep dive into the G-Wagen’s history, and they do a great job connecting all the dots. They trace the truck’s development all the way back to the Dernburg Wagon of 1907, the world’s first vehicle with all-wheel-drive steering, developed for the demanding terrain of southwest Africa. Then it goes through the development of the 461, the military-spec G-Wagen, and mentions how the Shah of Iran, a major shareholder in Mercedes-Benz prior to his ouster in 1979, pushed for a civilian version to be released.
Then the ’80s happen, and Mercedes’ truck benefits from two disparate factors: One, Pope John Paul II receives a custom G-Wagen in 1980. Dubbed the “Popemobile,” the truck becomes one of the most famous vehicles in the world. And as the truck’s status grows, the fact that it isn’t officially sold in America makes it an increasingly popular gray market import among the wealthy.
G-Wagen Goes Upmarket
By the time the ’90s hit, the Benz is starting to take shape as the truck we all know and love today. “In 1990,” the narrator says, “the civilian G-Wagen took its first steps toward luxury: A wood-trimmed interior, four-wheel drive, cruise control, a stainless-steel spare tire cover, and running boards.” It’s just as well; as the truck had only one importer to the US (Europa) and federalization costs skyrocketed, the Benz’s increasing creature comforts begin to match its six-figure price tag. What’s more, the hefty price tag only adds to the “rarity and exclusivity” of the truck.
The G-Wagen is officially released in the U.S. in 2001, and its popularity continues to skyrocket. “2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of the G-Wagen, and consumers have not slowed down,” the narrator says, pointing out rapper Travis Scott’s recent purchase of a $1.6 million Maybach G-Wagen and Post Malone’s track “Wow,” which features the rapper singing “G-Wagen, G-Wagen” over and over.
Then we get to brass tacks: Why? “To some, what makes the vehicle truly special, isn’t that it’s a symbol of success, but it’s that the model has kept true to its core, keeping its utilitarian functions through time. Throughout every upgrade and new model it releases, from its V8 engine to full off-road capabilities, the G-Wagen is much more than a swanky ride to the supermarket.” Well played, Hypebeast. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
So there you have it, the Mercedes Geländewagen, the Forrest Gump of SUVs. Sure, the Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Discovery, and Toyota Land Cruiser all have interesting histories. But none of these trucks can trace their histories from colonial Africa, to the Shah of Iran, the Pope, and Kim Kardashian. We’re preaching to the choir when we say that the 4×4 Benz is special. But next time somebody asks you why, it’s nice to have some facts easily at hand.
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