Mercedes-Benz is looking to the past with its latest G-Wagen.
The German luxury automaker just unveiled a highly exclusive G-Class celebrating the Decade of Decadence. The striking “Stronger Than the 1980s” variant is specifically inspired by a one-off built to mark the 500,000th example of the boxy SUV rolling off the line.
That G-Wagen, which was unveiled in April 2023, was modeled after the 1986 280 GE, the version of the 4×4 that first captured the public’s imagination. While still very clearly a W 463-series G-Class, the unique build featured several retro details outside and in, including an Agave Green paint job, amber turn signals, and checker-patterned upholstery inserts. The example wasn’t meant to be a preview of a future production model, but due to popular demand, that’s just what it has become.
The Stronger Than the 1980s edition is as close as you can come to buying the 500,000th G-Wagen. The variant, which is based on the newer W 465-series G-Wagen, comes in one of two period-appropriate colors, Agave Green (of course) or Colorado Beige. The hues aren’t the only nostalgic exterior detail, though. The vehicle’s trim—including radiator grille, headlamp grates, bumpers, wheel flares, and roof rack—is painted black, and it rides on a set of classic, five-spoke light alloy wheels.
The interior has been treated with a similarly light-but-loving touch. The majority of the cabin is covered in black, but the center inserts of each seat features a dove-gray checked pattern. Other model-specific details include grab handles that feature the variant’s name, “1 of 460” stitched into the center console, and a “Schöckl Proved” badge on the B-pillar that looks just like the one from the ‘80s.
Mercedes’s announcement is short on technical details, but the exclusive model is based on the 2025 G 550. That means it’s powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with mile hybrid technology that makes 443 hp and 413 ft lbs of torque.
In the market for a G-Wagen with some old school flair? You’ll want to reach out to Mercedes soon about the Stronger Than the 1980s edition, as the automaker plans to build just 460 examples of the 4×4 (the model’s first series was the W 460). Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect the variant to cost more than the standard G 550, which starts at $148,250.
Previously published on Robb Report USA
