Mercedes conceived the G-Class SUV in the early 1970s as a military vehicle and rugged workhorse, so how did it become the leftfield luxury icon it is today? One big step in that transformation came in 1993 when Mercedes contracted AMG to give the G-Wagen V8 power for the first time, creating the 500 GE.
Now, 30 years later, Mercedes is marking the G500’s milestone with a special run of 1,500 SUVs, each featuring special paint and Manufaktur interior trim. Unfortunately, as the model’s “Final Edition” name suggests, it’s a bittersweet birthday, because those 1,500 SUVs also mark the end of the road for the twin-turbo V8 in the G500, and presumably America’s equivalent, the G550.
Fortunately, it looks like the G63 might be sticking with V8 power for a few years yet, so the special version of that G-wagen released simultaneously goes by the name “Grand Edition.”
More: Mercedes Creates An Awesome Vintage-Inspired G-Class To Mark 500,000 Units Produced
Let’s deal with the G500 first. It’s available in metallic obsidian black, Manufaktur opalith white magno or Manufaktur olive magno, each of the options being limited to 500 units, and all three rolling on double-five-spoke 20-in wheels. There are Final Edition badges on the rubbing strips, door sills, passenger grab handle and spare wheel cover and lights in the base of each door mirror project the message “Stronger Than Time” onto the ground when the G is stationary. Flip the key over and it reveals a silver coin acting as a special edition plaque.
Mercedes G500 Final Edition
Buyers also benefit from a Burmester hifi, Active Multicontour Seats in two-tone Manufaktur leather and there’s more cow covering the headliner, luggage compartment and seat switch panel. Clearly this is for people whose idea of off-roading is parking up to watch a game of polo. Under the hood, the 4.0-liter V8 is unchanged, but its 416 hp (421 PS) makes it way punchier than the original 500 GE, which made do with just 237 hp (241 PS).
The G500 Final Edition is available to order now and costs €196,350 ($215k) in Germany, which is ton of cash. The Mercedes Germany retail website says a stock G500 only stickers at €130,204 ($143k), and even a G63 is just €187,247 ($205k). But not the new G63 Grand Edition. That costs €228,896 ($251k), a price it also tries to justify with a bundle of extra equipment and rarity – only 1,000 are being offered for sale.
There are no paint options with this one, every example coming dressed in Manufaktur night black magno with gold graphics. The 22-in center-lock forged AMG wheels also get the gold treatment, as do the front and rear bumper inserts, front skid plate, spare wheel ring and various interior details, including the seat stitching. Nappa leather covers the seats and roof grab handles, while the passenger handle in the dash has a carbon inlay and a “Grand Edition” logo. And to keep this butch off-roader safe from nasty dust a breathable indoor car cover rounds off the package.
“With the expressive and limited Grand Edition, we are celebrating the success story of the G63, which is far from over,” says Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. We can understand Mercedes dropping the G500, which we imagine might return with six-cylinder hybrid power. But it’s great to know that Mercedes and AMG are committed to preserving the absurdity of the G63.
Do you think these kind of expensive special editions represent good value, or would you stick with a standard model?
Mercedes-AMG G63 Grand Edition
