Not many people know this, but Mercedes-Benz has been offering a stripped out version of the G-Class for a little over three years now, but those who only found out about it are a bit late, as the German car manufacturer is apparently discontinuing the model.
You can either call it a more civilian-friendly version of the military G-Class W461 or a barebone and more off-road-ready version of the “regular” G-Class W463.
Officially called the Mercedes-Benz G 300 CDI Professional, the model was introduced in late 2010 after the W461 had been first discontinued from civilian use back in 1990. In other words, it had a twenty year sabbatical, during which it was exclusively offered for the military.
Sporting a rugged version of the three-liter OM642 diesel engine, a snorkel, upgraded suspension and tires and the same three lockable differentials that made the G-Wagen famous, the G 300 CDI Professional is apparently being discontinued because its engine is behind the Euro VI emission regulations and would be too expensive to upgrade.
Especially since the current best sold G-Class model is the G 63 AMG, which both costs and sells about four times as much as the G 300 CDI Professional.
Story via Car and Driver
Officially called the Mercedes-Benz G 300 CDI Professional, the model was introduced in late 2010 after the W461 had been first discontinued from civilian use back in 1990. In other words, it had a twenty year sabbatical, during which it was exclusively offered for the military.
Sporting a rugged version of the three-liter OM642 diesel engine, a snorkel, upgraded suspension and tires and the same three lockable differentials that made the G-Wagen famous, the G 300 CDI Professional is apparently being discontinued because its engine is behind the Euro VI emission regulations and would be too expensive to upgrade.
Especially since the current best sold G-Class model is the G 63 AMG, which both costs and sells about four times as much as the G 300 CDI Professional.
Story via Car and Driver