fuelfed

[fuelfed]

Mercedes-Benz marketing images for the 1997 G-Class year. Engine bay shows the 606 Turbo Diesel engine bay, with the newly upgraded wood paneled surrounds, interiors offered in leather along side designer patterned performance fabrics. These revisions elevated the G-Wagon into a refined driving vehicle from its utilitarian roots. The rear jump seats were a hold over from military use and allowed for "third row" people transit for short outing around the estate, akin to the British Land Rover.

The off-road capabilities are hinted at with vehicles parked on grass and gravel. The towing ability of these vehicles clearly targeted wealthy class of buyers who owned horses and might want to tow their steeds to the polo grounds themselves.

[fuelfed]

1997 Mercedes-Benz G300TD

The Mercedes-Benz G300 Turbodiesel was a diesel variant of the W463 G-Class that was introduced for the 1997 model year. The G300 Turbodiesel was powered by Mercedes' OM606.964 engine, which was a 3.0L turbocharged inline six engine that had an output of 174hp and 243 lb-ft of torque that drove all four wheels through manual and automatic transmission options. Production of the W463 Mercedes-Benz G300 Turbodiesel ended in 2001.

This Geländewagen came badged from the factory as a PUCH on the grill, hood and wheel center caps, but all interior badging has traditional Mercedes-Benz logos. It is not widely know that STEYR-DAIMLER-PUCH was the original company that collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to bring the first Geländewagen (off-road vehicle) in 1972 for commercial and military use. The PUCH badged vehicles were only available to order in certain markets in Europe and came with STEYR-DAIMLER-PUCH vin plates verses the standard Mercedes-Benz vin plate.

All Geländewagens are built in Graz, Austria.

The first civilian off-road vehicle to the consumer market was launched in 1979 with a chassis number W460. In 1990 the G-Wagon got a face lift and the W463 chassis was introduced, but the most notable update to the engines in terms of power and interior refinement started in 1997. The original austere commercial interiors were softened by incorporating Mercedes-Benz luxury touches and marketing to wealthy landed gentry for estate uses.

The G-Wagon was not available in the USA through Mercedes-Benz dealer network until 2002.