The Russian Mafia Car: G - Wagon

Introduction:

Want to know the real story behind the famous Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, which is often called the “Russian Mafia Car”? In this blog, we’ll talk about the G-Wagon’s history, where it came from the military, how it changed over time through different models, and how it got its famous nickname, which made it a symbol of wealth, strength, and street cred from Russia to Hollywood.

Starting of G-Wagon:

The journey of G-Wagon started when the Sah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi suggested Mercedes to develop a military style off-road vehicle to give competition to Toyota’s Land Cruiser & Jeep.

Now you all should have a question, “Why Mercedes did all these on a suggestion of Sah of Iran?”

Well, the question is legit and what Mercedese had done that was legit too. Because the Sah of Iran was a shareholder of the Mercedese. Not only that Sah also ordered 20,000 units of that for the army before any development of the car had started.

Development of G-Wagon:

The development of G-Wagon started in 1972. To develop the car Mercedese partnered with an Austrian parts manufacturing company named Steyr Daimler Puch. The 1^st design of G-Wagon was made out of wood not clay in 1973. The designing was done by famous designer Bruno Sacco.

Mercedese’s engineers were in-charge of designing and testing where as Steyr Daimler Puch’s engineers were responsible for final assembly. In this deal both company had 50% partnership of the car. This was one of the reason, why at first the car was sold as Puch – G in Eastern Europe.

Mercedese started testing G-Wagon in 1975. The testing team tested the car in extreme harsh roads and extreme weather condition like coal fields of Germany, Sahara Desert and also in Arctic circle. In testing phase engineers understood its ability to climb up-to 45^olope.

Quality Enhancement:

After successfully testing the drivability of the G-wagon, engineers shift their focus towards the enhancement of comfortability and handling on the road.

That time car intellectuals thought it can not be done because G-Wagon built on a ‘body on frame’ chassis to make it more durable than comfortable. To increase comfort engineers fine tune the suspensions.

Final Launch:

Steyr Daimler Puch build an entirely new production facility in Graz to assemble G-Wagon by hand. The production began in 1979 in Graz.

Unfortunately, it was too late for Sah of Iran, he never received the order he gave to Mercedes. Because that same year revolutionaries took over Iran and Sah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi left the country.

Models of G-Wagon:

W4 – 60:

1^st G-Wagon was sold as W4-60 in September,1979. It has 3 variants,

- - 2 Door convertible
  - 2 Door Wagon
  - 4 Door Wagon

It quickly got noticed as the most rugged SUV in the market.

It had 3 locking differential and heavy-duty axels in front and rear. The Argentinian army was the 1^st military to have G-wagon in their fleet. The Pope, John Paul II who was visiting 1^st time in Germany was the celebrity who 1^stflexed in a specially made G-Wagon.

Mercedese done 1^st major refinement in G-Wagon in 1981, with certain features like AC, Automatic transmission.

W4 – 61:

In 1991, W4-60 was replaced by W4-61. W4-61 was mainly for military & government use. But the rich peoples had other plans, from this time rich people of USA started flexing with a G-Wagon. Finally on 2021 the production of W4-61 came to an end.

W4 – 63:

The W4-63 was nothing but a luxury variant of W4-61. This SUV was so luxury that in 1994 Mercedese officially named it the G-Class. In 2018, Mercedese introduced G63 AMG in Geneva International Motor Show. The production of W4-63 came to an end in the year 2024.

W4 – 64:

On 1^st October 2021, Mercedese announced that the updated W4 – 61 will be called W4 – 64. It had a 2.9L, 6 cylinder in-line diesel engine with 9 – speed gearbox. The front section changed with more muscular bumper, large cooling grill & new head lamps.

W4 – 65:

The new generation of G-Class introduced on 26^th March 2024 with 3 types of engine 3L petrol, 2.9L inline 6 diesel & 4L V8 petrol. In the new W4 – 65 petrol & diesel engines are fitted with 48-volt hybrid system.

G-Class Electric (EQG):

The On 24^th April 2024 the electric version of G580 with electric technology was introduced. 9^th January Mercedese launched the electric G-Wagon.

Conclusion

G – Wagon crossed a long way in these decades, from its army roots to current status symbol. What began as a solution of strategic military needs ended up as a cultural icon.

Now, if you read till here then you should have a question about the title. Why the title is, “The Russian Mafia Car”?

Well, this wasn’t any title to attract readers. This title was given based upon some historical context.

After the fall of Soviet Union in early 1990s a wealthy business class group emerged in Russia. The rumours were most of the wealthy peoples were tied up with organised crimes. These people wanted to flex their power and wealth one of the many ways to do it was to have an expensive car.

At that time G-Wagon was not readily available in Russia. It means limited import and ultra expensive.
G – Wagon’s military heritage and bold design projects dominance and power.

In – fact the term ‘Russian Mafia Car’ 1^st used in Eastern Europe and then spread internationally. A big credit also goes to West’s hip-hop industry. But it doesn’t mean that every G – Wagon owner is a criminal specially in current time.

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