Tragically, the 30th-anniversary celebration of the G-Wagon also marks the death of its non-AMG V8 variant.
Whether you love or hate it, the Mercedes G-Wagon is one of the most popular SUVs known to mankind. Originally designed as a military vehicle in the early 1970s, it was meant to transport soldiers into battle thanks to its exceptional off-road ability. Later, it quickly became a status symbol, especially after Mercedes introduced a V8 variant in 1993, the G500.
This year, the German manufacturer is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its beloved boxy V8 with the G500 Final Edition, which you can also tell it’s a goodbye to the legendary variant. While we’re still unsure of the reason behind this move, many speculate Mercedes has to make room for the upcoming electric EQG, and customers who still desire a V8-powered G-Class could still go for the full-blown AMG G63.
But what really differentiates a standard G500 from the Final Edition is a lot of special badging and some chromed bits. On the last-hurrah edition, the SUV’s exterior and interior are splattered with “Final Edition” and “Stronger Than Time” emblems, noticeable on the outer protective strip, the spare wheel cover insert, doorknobs, and interior sill plates. In addition, the famous mini logo projector also beams the “G” logo and special lettering onto the ground while stationary. Not to forget, the exclusive MANUFAKTUR full leather interior package adds soft Nappa leather all around, from the luggage compartment to the roof lining and the panels on the seat adjustment switches.
Under the hood, the good ol’ 4.0-liter biturbo V8 produces a pretty decent 416 hp with 449 lb-ft of torque. Considering the original 500 GE featured a rather thirsty 5.0-liter V8 with only 241 hp, we can definitely notice the improvement here.
The G500 Final Edition will be offered in three color specs — Obsidian Black Metallic with titanium grey pearl/black interior, Opalith White Magno with platinum white/black interior, and Olive Magno with espresso brown/black interior. Each color option will be limited to 500 units, for only 1500 units in total. If you want to own the last non-AMG V8 G-Class ever made, you better not sleep on it — they’ll literally fly off the shelves.
But for the AMG fans, don’t worry; the G63 isn’t going anywhere yet. In fact, Mercedes just released the G63 Grand Edition as AMG’s celebration of the model’s 30th birthday, taking the standard G63 and finishing it in Night Black Magno paint with gold accents. And like the Final Edition, it will be limited to 1,000 units worldwide; but whether it will be sold in the US market is still unconfirmed.
Nonetheless, we understand that Mercedes axing the V8-powered G500 to make room for future EV models can be a pretty hard pill to swallow, yet perhaps it’s the only way to make the G-Wagon’s legacy live on.
To be continued.
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