The 'G' stands for 'SUVs' and features an already in 1973 decided joint project of Daimler-Benz and Puch. Daimler-Benz contributes the drivetrain, including the engines and the interior, Puch provides for the rest of the construction including SUV equipment. Been tested during the development at Mercedes, finally manufactured in the Puch plant in Graz-Thondorf (A).
In contrast to modern SUVs the G-model is still a true SUV with strongly against each other able to fold rigid axles, and 100 percent differential locks. There is no freewheel, all parts of the front-wheel always turn with. This allows a synchronous device in the transfer gear box, so that one must not stop to activate the wheel.
While most others are rather street cars with good off road characteristics, with this vehicle it is contrary. Despite two rigid axles and high center of gravity, one has given to it all in order to survive well on the curvy country road. The spring/damping and the axle location still leave a lot of margin for improvement.
To this then belongs also a torsion-free frame with attachment points, which in the commercial vehicle tests borrowed be analyzed and redesigned. All functions, of course, must be ensured in both hot and cold regions of our planet. The G-model is built for extremely high stress and will have the second longest model runtime in the entire Daimler Group.
In the Alpine countries and in Eastern Europe, he comes to the world as Puch, otherwise it is called Mercedes G for 'SUV'. The Shah of Persia has initiated the project, but he still wants to order incredible 20,000 pieces despite the simple equipment not just cheap car. His love for expensive toys dominate the view for the opportunities in his country despite oil wealth. He will be swept away by the end of 1978 revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
What to do now? The production plans are well advanced. The German armed forces is in the meantime contractually bound at the VW Iltis. It was only much later, that the G-model comes as a 'wolf' in their hands. It is from this period, as part of the plans have been shattered, to create a Europe-wide military lightweight version, an incipient cooperation with Peugeot, which will also conjure up later this logo on the front of the G-model.
As a result, we will see how two unequal partners grow together. For Puch has built with the reconstructed Fiat 500 and the Haflinger rather smaller vehicles. Mercedes manages over time even confirmed designers of honest and uncompromising off-road vehicle to move to ever more concessions with the tailwind of sales success to privateers.
It starts with a still manageable number of body and engine variants. Short and long with a clear different wheelbase (2400/2850 mm), two-and four-doors, open back/closed with and without windows, one-/two-piece rear door. As engines there are each two petrol and diesel engines. The catalytic converter is not here yet, but a lower compressed version for poorer fuel quality.
These are the veteran engines from Mercedes, the small petrol engine still equipped with a carburetor. The larger is the six-cylinder in-line engine, the forerunner of today's V-engines. But already the constructed with Cosworth DOHC cylinder head. Yet cozy, the diesel engines are, still miles away from direct injection. Also, a charge one looks in vain.
You can imagine that this body compared with the relatively streamlined sedans will not move with approximately equivalent top speeds. After all, does one manage, the consumption to keep somewhat within limits, partially with longer gear ratio. At that time transmission means at the G-model still manual gearshift, automatic as an option for larger engines.
Even non-enthusiasts of the G-model can not deny its excellent road characteristics. The car is just a very comprehensive package with a lot of practical utility in the terrain and reasonably realizable driving performance feasible performance on the street. Yet in the interior nothing remembers of a Mercedes car. Even the seats are borrowed of the transporter program. 10/11
Mercedes G-Modell