A new special edition honors the origins of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Nicknamed the “Stronger Than The 1980s” edition, it inherits most of the features from the unique retro G-Wagen that Mercedes created to commemorate the production of its 500,000th unit. It is built upon the 2025 G550 platform, with 460 units planned for production as a tribute to the original W460 chassis. The Mercedes G-class is a brand-new car with the latest features and technology, but it still has an old-fashioned look. It has the classic body-on-frame shape, which is big but works well. There is a mountain called Schöckl in the background. Every form of the G has been tested there since Mercedes first called it the Geländewagen. Only one robot is on the line at the Austrian factory where it is made. With a new version, the G-class is even older. The “Stronger Than the 1980s” special version honors the first G-wagons that drove over Schöckl’s broken, rocky terrain with its retro colors and features. The first Gs for regular people went on sale in 1979, but the car didn’t fully develop its “hip-to-be-square” attitude until the 1980s. Mercedes has already paid tribute to the era with big shoulder pads and even bigger hair. To celebrate making the 500,000th G-wagen, it made a one-of-a-kind modern copy of the 1986 280GE. The upper body was finished in Agave Green, and the lower body was black. Amber turn signals, along with other vintage features, were also included. Based on the previous G-Class, this was meant to be a party rather than a real car that could be bought. Despite this, it looks like many G-class fans asked for the idea to be properly shown in showrooms. Mercedes-Benz says it will make 460 cars that are stronger than the ones made in the 1980s. Each one will be based on the 2025 G550 (the W460 is the first-generation G). Once more, there will be three color choices: milk, sandy brown, and agave green. Along with the one-off party model, the Gs get black-painted trim pieces, retro-style emblems, and amber running lights. In addition to the usual numbered stickers that come with a limited run, “G-Stronger Than Time” will be written on the ground by the puddle lights. The Stronger Than the 1980s version feels like the G is back to its old self, which is great because the G63 doesn’t do much off-roading. Instead of silly wheels and tires that are more than 20 inches in diameter, choose 18-inch wheels with five spokes and mud flaps. The V-8 engine in the G550 has a lot of power, but it feels more at home on rough ranchland than on Rodeo Drive. If you see a G-class on the backcountry roads, it’s probably owned by a G550. Because it doesn’t use automation, only Mercedes’ Maybach brand lets you customize as much as the Graz plant, where the G was made. Compared to the pricey AMG versions, like the 6×6, it’s good to see the company trying new things with its off-road icon. It’s strange that the 1980s, which are usually thought of as the decade of excess, led to a more stable and genuine G-class identity.
