Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Premium SUV
Production years: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
There are not as many iconic cars as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a vehicle that redefined the off-road vehicle industry in the late ‘70s when the German automaker launched it on the market.
Usually, iconic vehicles have a unique history behind them, and so does the G-Class from Mercedes-Benz. The story says that the car was ordered by the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who needed a go-anywhere vehicle for the army. Since he was also a major stakeholder in Mercedes-Benz, he convinced the carmaker’s board to create one. The study started in 1972, and the German car manufacturer partnered with the Austrian company Steyr to produce it. Seven years later, the SUV was ready, and the automaker produced it with either a short or a long wheelbase. The short one was available in a three-door configuration, as a convertible, or as a panel van. Furthermore, the automaker could supply the W460 as a chassis cab. But the one element that made it so unforgettable was the vehicle’s squared shape. It was a true form-follow-function vehicle that lasted.
At the front, the automaker’s design team considered that an off-road vehicle needed to have short overhangs. That led to a flat front fascia, where the black grille was flanked by upper-mounted round headlights. Above them, the automaker installed the turn signals and parking lights on top of the fenders, flanking the V-shaped hood.
From its profile, the flat panels of the vehicle sported a longitudinal trim, which was interrupted only by the grab-type door handles. To create an even sturdier look, the automaker left the doors’ hinges exposed. Nevertheless, this solution was also cheaper to manufacture, and the vehicle was already very expensive then. Behind the door, the automaker installed wide windows or a retractable canvas roof for the civilian version. The utilitarian version was fitted with metallic panels. Finally, at the back, the G-Class short featured a side-hinged door where the car manufacturer placed the spare wheel.
Inside, the utilitarian look of the vehicle was unmistakable. The fabric upholstery and the scarce design left no doubt that it was a car designed to do a job, not to transport its occupants comfortably. But still, Mercedes-Benz tried to provide its customers with some comfort amenities. As a result, the driver fronted a small instrument cluster that was filled by three dials. The one on the left was for the speedometer, the one in the middle for the rev counter, and the one on the right housed the coolant temperature and the fuel level gauges. On the center stack, the automaker placed a stereo, an ashtray, and the controls for the heating system. While the front occupants sat in comfort, those in the back had limited legroom.
But the real marvel was under the car’s skin. Mercedes-Benz installed a choice of four engines that were already in production for other models. There were two gasoline and two turbo diesel versions. All were paired with a four or a five-speed manual or with an automatic gearbox. Both axles were fitted with locking differentials, which the driver could control from inside the vehicle via two levers that could lock them.
ENGINE SPECS - 200 GE (G-Kat) 4MT AWD (118 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 87 KW @ 5200 RPM 118 HP @ 5200 RPM 117 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 131 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 178 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Mechanical Fuel Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4144 lbs (1880 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 200 GE 4MT AWD (122 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 90 KW @ 5100 RPM 122 HP @ 5100 RPM 121 BHP @ 5100 RPM |
Torque: | 131 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 178 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Mechanical Fuel Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4144 lbs (1880 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 230 G 4MT AWD (109 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2299 cm3 |
Power: | 80 KW @ 5300 RPM 109 HP @ 5300 RPM 107 BHP @ 5300 RPM |
Torque: | 128 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 174 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 85 mph (137 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4122 lbs (1870 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 230 GE (G-Kat) 4MT AWD (122 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2299 cm3 |
Power: | 90 KW @ 5100 RPM 122 HP @ 5100 RPM 121 BHP @ 5100 RPM |
Torque: | 139 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 188 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Mechanical Fuel Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 94 mph (151 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4144 lbs (1880 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 230 GE 4MT AWD (125 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2299 cm3 |
Power: | 92 KW @ 5000 RPM 125 HP @ 5000 RPM 123 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
Torque: | 142 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 192 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Mechanical Fuel Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 94 mph (151 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4144 lbs (1880 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 280 GE 4MT AWD (156 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2746 cm3 |
Power: | 115 KW @ 5250 RPM 156 HP @ 5250 RPM 154 BHP @ 5250 RPM |
Torque: | 167 lb-ft @ 4250 RPM 226 Nm @ 4250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Mechanical Fuel Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 98 mph (158 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4288 lbs (1945 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 240 GD 4MT AWD (72 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2399 cm3 |
Power: | 53 KW @ 4400 RPM 72 HP @ 4400 RPM 71 BHP @ 4400 RPM |
Torque: | 101 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 137 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 71 mph (114 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4188 lbs (1900 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 250 GD 4MT AWD (84 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2497 cm3 |
Power: | 62 KW @ 4600 RPM 84 HP @ 4600 RPM 83 BHP @ 4600 RPM |
Torque: | 114 lb-ft @ 2200-2800 RPM 154 Nm @ 2200-2800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 78 mph (126 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4255 lbs (1930 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 290 GD 5MT AWD (95 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2874 cm3 |
Power: | 70 KW @ 4000 RPM 95 HP @ 4000 RPM 94 BHP @ 4000 RPM |
Torque: | 142 lb-ft @ 2300 RPM 192 Nm @ 2300 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 82 mph (132 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 158.1 in (4016 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 76.4 in (1941 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4365 lbs (1980 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 290 GD Turbodiesel 4AT AWD (120 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2874 cm3 |
Power: | 88 KW @ 3800 RPM 120 HP @ 3800 RPM 118 BHP @ 3800 RPM |
Torque: | 207 lb-ft @ 1900-2300 RPM 280 Nm @ 1900-2300 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 85 mph (137 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 17 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/80 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 158.1 in (4016 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 76.4 in (1941 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4365 lbs (1980 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.6 mpg US (12 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 23.5 mpg US (10 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 283 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 300 GD 4MT AWD (88 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2998 cm3 |
Power: | 65 KW @ 4400 RPM 88 HP @ 4400 RPM 87 BHP @ 4400 RPM |
Torque: | 127 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 172 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Indirect Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 81 mph (130 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205 R16 M+S |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 155.7 in (3955 mm) |
Width: | 66.9 in (1699 mm) |
Height: | 75.8 in (1925 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/56.1 in (1,425/1,425 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4266 lbs (1935 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5732 lbs (2600 kg) |