Limited edition G-Class is homage to 280 GE

You may not recall the one-off 500,000th example of the G-Class that Mercedes dressed up to look like an original 280 GE when it rolled off the production line back in 2023 – but apparently the manufacturer has given it some heavy thought in the intervening years. We know this because it has just launched a limited series of just 460 cars that take the same styling playbook and run with it: behold the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class Edition Stronger than the 1980s. 

Okay, granted, that name might be as laboured as a German version of Countdown, but the idea behind it – and its visual pay-off – are not to be sniffed at. The W460 series, responsible for establishing the Geländewagen legend, ranks alongside early Land Rovers when it comes to 4×4 icons – and while you could argue the current G-Class is already a rolling tribute to its legacy (because the design is so rigorously faithful to the original version) the introduction of some hat-tipping design elements and historic colours does wonders for the current model. 

We say that primarily because it chisels off some of the bling with the radiator grille, bumpers, wheel arches and wing mirror housings now finished in night black magno. Even the underbody protection is in black. As you might expect, this is to echo the more ‘robust look’ of the first G-wagen, and we’re all for it. Especially when it’s complemented by a choice of solid agave green and Colorado beige, and classic five-spoke light-alloy wheels. It could hardly be more of an antidote to a King’s Road spec G63 if it was built by Pfizer. 

There’s more too, if you’re keen to squint at the details. Mercedes has used an historically accurate shade of orange in the indicators. The star on the bonnet reverts to a period-correct emblem. The rear door gets a silver badge featuring black “Mercedes?Benz” lettering and an edition-specific spare wheel cover to go with it. There are also mud flaps from the commercial-grade Professional kit list and all-terrain tyres if you want them. You can even have a roof luggage rack as an option, should you want to double down on the Dakar look. 

Inside, it’s all recognisable as a current G-Class, although applying a dove grey fabric to the centre panel of the otherwise leather seats is a lovely touch, and Mercedes has kept the rest of the material choices nicely subdued. True, emblazoning the passenger grab handle with STRONGER THAN THE 1980s does veer away from the understated vibe somewhat – ditto the ‘1 of 460’ lettering on the centre console – but again, on the usual G-wagen taste-scale, this is all deeply sober stuff. 

So too is the underlying model choice: you can choose between a G 450d (lovely) or the latest G 500 (even lovelier). We’re on the record as describing the latter as the best G-Class you can buy – assuming you want to use it as an everyday car, not a means for attracting people’s attention – and would now argue that buying it in STT80s spec is the best possible decision you could make. Assuming, of course, you can live with that branding. And the £152,815 starting price. If the answer to both is yes, you better be quick: the limited edition model is available to order now.