Mercedes-Benz G-Class production begins in Austria

With the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class, it’s clear that the iconic model has gone through the biggest transformation in its 39 years-old history. The tri-star company is showing no signs of slowing down or canning production altogether, and now, production of the Geländewagen has commenced.

Ever since 1979, the people responsible for producing the G-Class is Magna Steyr, and its facility is located in Graz, Austria. Till today, the G-Class is predominantly built by hand. Several experienced employees have been with the company from the start, lending some credence to the company’s claim of “paying great attention to the well-known Mercedes-Benz quality.”

The Magna Steyr plant facilitates numerous synergies thanks to the high degree of networking between development, engineering, the prototype workshop, testing and series production. Daimler’s subsidiary company Mercedes-Benz G GmbH is also based in Graz. The highlight of the plant is the test track on the local mountain of Graz, the Schöckl. Apparently, one kilometre of testing on the track corresponds to 50 kilometres in actual operation.

Mercedes-Benz’s off-road product group head, Gunnar Güthenke said “we have kept the familiar and popular features of the design icon and further optimised the ‘G’ where ride comfort and robustness are concerned. For the production, we continue to trust in our experienced production partner since 39 years, Magna Steyr.”

To recap, the all-new 2018 G-Class is 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider than the model it replaces. There’s the standard G 500 that’s powered by an AMG-derived 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 outputting 422 hp and 610 Nm, and of course the range-topping G63 model, also powered by a 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8. Here, it makes 585 hp and 850 Nm of torque. The former gets a nine-speed 9G-tronic auto, while the latter gets the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission.

The G-Class will continue to be built at the Magna Steyr plant – an arrangement that will remain indefinitely, unless there is a significant change or drop in demand.

GALLERY: 2018 Mercedes-AMG G63

GALLERY: 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

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