action-cars TRIVIA: Major anniversary for a success story - 30 years young: the G-Class - PART III

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Feb 16, 2009

Chronicle: The curriculum vitae of the G-Class

1973
The first wooden model of the future Mercedes cross-country vehicle is presented in April.

1974
The first ready-to-drive prototype is sent out for testing.

1975
A second feasibility study confirms the prospects of success for a Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicle.
Start of the construction work for a new production shop in Graz.


1979
In the south of France, the G-Model is presented to the press for the first time. Production gets underway on February 10, 1979 with the 240 GD, 300 GD, 230 G and 280 GE first off the assembly line.

1980
An enclosed van-type model with short or long wheelbase is added to the model range.

1981
The first facelift: automatic transmission, air conditioning, longitudinal bench seats for the load area, an additional fuel tank, a �tropical roof�, protective headlamp grilles, a cable winch, a hardtop for the Cabriolet and a mechanical power take-off are all available as options for the 280 GE and 300 GD. Customers can choose from a total of 22 different paint colours, up from the previous five.

1982
The new 230 GE with mechanical fuel injection and 92 kW/125 hp replaces the 230 G with a carburettor engine.
Recaro seats, auxiliary heating, wide-base tyres for the light-alloy wheels and wheel arch flaring can be ordered as options.

1983
The 230 GE is optionally available with a four-speed automatic transmission.
The second facelift sees four new metallic colour shades and a five-speed transmission added to the list of equipment.
Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur win victory in the Paris�Dakar Rally at the wheel of a 280 GE.

1985
Differential locks, central locking and a rev counter are added to the list of standard equipment as part of the third facelift.
The Cabriolet is fitted with a folding soft-top in place of the simple tarpaulin.

1986
The petrol models 230 GTE and 280 GE become available with closed-loop catalytic converter.
In July, the 50,000th G-Class rolls off the assembly line.

1987
The fourth facelift brings new optional extras: power windows, an automatic aerial and a combined luggage cover and retaining net for the load area.
The chassis with cab and 3.12-metre wheelbase is added to the range.
The 250 GD developing 62 kW/84 hp replaces the 240 GD.
Planning begins for the later 463 series.

1988
The driver�s and front passenger�s seats are fitted with armrests.

1989
The 230 GE Classic limited-edition model is presented to mark the10th birthday of the G-Class. A total of 300 units are built.
The new 463 series with permanent four-wheel drive, an exquisite wood interior and optional ABS is presented in September at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt.

1990
The 463 series is launched in April in the shape of the 230 GE, 300 GE, 250 GD and 300 GD models. Customers can choose from three body variants.
End of production of the 460-series 280 GE and 300 GD.

1992
G-Class production begins in Greece, with the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) vehicles delivered in separate parts to the assembly site.
Market launch of the 461 series for professional users� a revised version of the previous 460 series.
The model range comprises the 230 GE and the new 290 GD, which replaces the previous 250 GD.
First model facelift of the 463: cruise control, a spare wheel cover of stainless steel, running-boards, a luggage compartment cover and burr walnut trim are available on request.
The new 350 GD TURBODIESEL is unveiled in May.
In June, the 100,000th G-Class off-roader leaves the assembly line.

1993
A chassis with cab and 3.40-metre wheelbase is added to the 461-series range.
The eight-cylinder 500 GE special-edition model is unveiled, offering luxurious equipment and trim levels and limited to 500 units. Its V8 engine develops 177 kW/241 hp.
The "G" prefix is introduced: the G-Models are now officially called the G-Class, with model designations such as G 230, G 300, G 350 TURBODIESEL etc.

1994
The second facelift of the 463 series sees the introduction of internally ventilated front disc brakes and a driver airbag as standard.
The 155-kW/210-hp G 320 model replaces the outgoing G 300.

1995
All G-Class models are fitted with remote-controlled central locking and an immobiliser.

1996
The G 300 TURBODIESEL with 130 kW/177 hp and an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission is presented.It replaces the G 350 TURBODIESEL.
Model facelift and upgraded standard equipment, with a headlamp cleaning system, cruise control and a front passenger airbag.

1997
The G-Class Convertible with an electropneumatically powered soft top is presented.
The G 320�s V6 engine replaces the six-cylinder in-line power unit in the 463 series.
The electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission is fitted as standard in the G 320.
The 290 GD TURBODIESEL with 88 kW/120 hp replaces the 290 GD with naturally aspirated diesel engine in the 461 series.

1998
Fourth facelift: The range-topping new 500 (218 kW/296 hp) joins the G 320 and G 300 TURBODIESEL in the G-Class family.

1999
In March, the exclusive G 500 Classic special-edition model is presented to mark the 20th anniversary of the G-Class. Production is limited to 400 vehicles.
The multifunction steering wheel is added to the list of standard equipment for the G-Class.
The G 55 AMG takes to the stage. Its V8 engine delivers 260 kW/354 hp.
The Mercedes-Benz G 500 Guard appears in three different special-protection versions.

2000
The new 2001 models are unveiled at the Paris Motor Show � with a new interior offering further enhanced levels of comfort.
The new diesel model G 400 CDI with a new V8 diesel engine (184 kW/250 hp) replaces the G 300 TURBODIESEL.
The V8 models are fitted with new light-alloy wheels, a chromed radiator grille and bumpers in the body colour.

2001
From the autumn the G-Class is presented with new dynamic control systems. These include the Electronic Stability Program ESP�, Brake Assist and the Electronic Traction System 4ETS.
The G-Class is launched in the USA.

2002
The new G 270 CDI makes its debut powered by a 115-kW/156-hp five-cylinder diesel engine.

2003
Indicator repeaters are integrated into the exterior mirrors of the G-Class.

2004
World premiere of the new G 55 AMG with a supercharged V8 engine developing 350 kW/476 hp at the Geneva Motor Show.
The G-Class celebrates its 25th birthday.

2006
The G 55 AMG now has an output of 368 kW/500 hp.
Bi-xenon headlamps, foglamps with cornering lights and new, more scratch-resistant nano-particle paint finishes are offered for the first time.
The G 320 CDI replaces the diesel models G 270 CDI and G 400 CDI. At the same time the G 320 is discontinued.

2007
The final development stage of the G 55 develops an output of 373 kW/507 hp.
A new instrument cluster with four analogue dial instruments, a modified centre console with new controls and switches, and a new four-spoke steering wheel form the control centre from this model year onward.
The control and display system COMAND APS with a DVD navigation system, integrated radio, CD-player and telephone keypad becomes standard equipment (optional for the G 320 CDI).
New tail light clusters are given brilliant LED technology.
New optional extras include a reversing camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system and the "ARTICO" interior package with robust man-made leather.

2008
The G 500 receives a new 5.5-litre V8-engine with 285 kW/388 hp and a torque of 530 Nm.
From the autumn of this year the G-Class features a modified radiator grille in a 3-louvre design.
At the same time the new-generation telematics with fast HDD navigation, a Bluetooth interface for mobile phone operation and LINGUATRONIC voice control are introduced.

2009
The G-Class celebrates its 30th birthday.
Mercedes-Benz presents the special EDITION30 and EDITION30 G.PUR models to mark the anniversary.

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