Instant Alert: We drove the $136,000 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and finally understand why it's an automotive legend

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   We drove the $136,000 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and finally understand why it's an automotive legend by Benjamin Zhang on Jan 2, 2018, 10:35 AM Advertisement The Mercedes-Benz G550 starts at $122,400 while our test car cost $136,375. The G-Wagon debuted in 1979 as a utilitarian off-roader, but it has evolved into a plutocratic runabout.  Even though it's far from flawless, the G-Wagon is just effortlessly cool.  As an auto journalist, I drive more than 70 cars a year. And yet, there are few vehicles I've been more excited to experience than the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen. Or as it's more commonly known, the G-Wagon.  (Technically, Mercedes-Benz retired the G-Wagon moniker in favor of the G-Class designation in 1998, but to its fans, it's still the G-Wagon.) Which is why we simply couldn't say no when Mercedes-Benz dropped off a 2017 G550 clad in an eye-catching paprika metallic paint job. For the past four decades, the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen or the G-Wagon has been one of the true standard bearers for what a true SUV should strive to be.  However, the high-price luxury SUV we know today came from decidedly humble beginnings.  In that time, the G-Wagon has found itself on the battlefields of Europe and the Middle East Even though its roots are planted firmly in the mystique of its uncompromising off-roading prowess, the G-Wagon has now become the SUV of choice for the posh suburbanite or the Hollywood starlet looking for something "different." In many ways, the G-Wagon is a rolling contradiction. It's a vehicle made famous for its ability to survive and thrive in some of the world's most inhospitable conditions. Yet, these days, it's most likely to be found driving around the palm-tree-lined boulevards of Southern California decked out in fancy wheels and a custom paint job.  The Mercedes-Benz G550 starts at $122,400 while our test vehicle drove off the dealer lot at $136,375. Here's a closer look at the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon: Photos by Hollis Johnson unless otherwise credited. SEE ALSO: The 10 most beautiful cars of 2017 FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content! The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon's story dates as far back as 1973 when Mercedes' parent company Daimler-Benz signed an agreement with Austria's Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG (Now Magna-Steyr) to create a go-anywhere all-wheel-drive cross-country vehicle — also known as the Geländewagen. To this day, all G-Wagons are hand built at Magna-Steyr's factory in Graz, Austria. The first prototype G-Wagon emerged in 1974, but a production civilian variant did not go on sale until 1979. During the 1970s, no one truly understood the full potential of the SUV segment. Without conclusive data, Mercedes was hesitant to enter into the G-Wagon project. However, the program got a major boost in 1975 when the Shah of Iran - a major shareholder in the company at the time — placed an order for 20,000 military G-Wagons. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to: nguyenvu1187.love5@blogger.com   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011