Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Premium SUV
Production years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
In 2000, at the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the refreshed W463 G-Class, which came in three types of bodywork, including the three-door version.
While the star of the sales by 2000 for the W463 G-Class was the five-door version, the three-door was the one that topped in terms of off-road abilities. Thanks to its short wheelbase and the better power-to-weight ratio, it was chosen by many. Mercedes-Benz also knew that its customers didn't complain about the SUV's appearance or off-road performance. On the other hand, there were many requests to improve the road behavior, the transmission, and the interior. As a result, the German car manufacturer worked mostly in these areas. At the same time, it couldn't leave the exterior untouched, so it tweaked it a bit here and there, mostly to make it appear fresh. Furthermore, it improved the safety systems and added several features that were unavailable before this 2001 model-year version.
From its front side, the three-door version had the same rugged look as its five-door sibling. It featured a new, three-slat plastic grille that supported the automaker's center-mounted badge. On the sides, in individual casings, the automaker placed the round headlights. Even though it had enough room to install the turn signals and parking lights, it preferred to leave those in the same spot as before, on top of the front fenders. These were already a known trademark of the vehicle. The new plastic (ABS) bumper could be optioned with rectangular fog lamps.
From its profile, the short-wheelbase version of the G-Class was available as a three-door station wagon or as a two-door convertible. Starting with this version, the G-Class got body-colored flared wheel arches and door mirror caps. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz installed turn signals on the door mirror's caps, enhancing the vehicle's safety. Depending on the grade and options, the car could be optioned with side steps that ease ingress and egress. At the back, the side-hinged rear door allowed access to the tiny trunk and mostly served as a support for the full-size spare wheel.
Mercedes-Benz redesigned the car's interior. It created a new dashboard, which featured an instrument cluster that resembled the one installed in the C-Class (the W203). It had a large, center-mounted speedometer flanked by the tachometer on the left and the fuel level gauge on the right. Surprisingly, the coolant temperature wasn't shown on the main dials, so the driver had to find the reading on the car's onboard computer on a small screen fitted inside the speedometer's dial. To do that, it had to use the buttons on the steering wheel, which looked like it was carried over from an E-Class (the W210). On the center stack, the automaker placed the new COMAND infotainment unit, which included navigation and was available with phone connectivity. Customers could get the car with wood trims on the dash, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. Those seated in the back, on the other hand, didn't have enough legroom.
Under the hood, the automaker installed a range of Euro 3-compliant gasoline or turbodiesel engines. All were paired with a newly developed five-speed automatic transmission, also known as the 5G-Tronic. The high and low-range transfer boxes sent power in all corners via three manual-locking differentials. Mercedes-Benz tried to improve road handling by re-tuning suspension and dampers, although the vehicle's base was still the same sturdy, off-road-oriented, ladder-frame chassis.
ENGINE SPECS - 320 V6 5AT AWD (215 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3199 cm3 |
Power: | 158 KW @ 5500 RPM 215 HP @ 5500 RPM 212 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 221 lb-ft @ 2800-4800 RPM 300 Nm @ 2800-4800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 109 mph (175 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 265/70 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.5 in (4229 mm) |
Width: | 69.3 in (1760 mm) |
Height: | 76 in (1930 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.1/58.1 in (1,476/1,476 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.5 in (216 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4971 lbs (2255 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6283 lbs (2850 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 11.9 mpg US (19.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 18.5 mpg US (12.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 15.2 mpg US (15.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 368 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 500 V8 5AT AWD (296 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 4966 cm3 |
Power: | 218 KW @ 5500 RPM 296 HP @ 5500 RPM 292 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 336 lb-ft @ 2800-4000 RPM 456 Nm @ 2800-4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 265/60 R18 H |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.5 in (4229 mm) |
Width: | 69.3 in (1760 mm) |
Height: | 76 in (1930 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.1/58.1 in (1,476/1,476 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.5 in (216 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 5269 lbs (2390 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6283 lbs (2850 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 10.6 mpg US (22.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 17 mpg US (13.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 14.1 mpg US (16.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 400 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 270 CDI 5AT AWD (156 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L5 |
Displacement: | 2685 cm3 |
Power: | 115 KW @ 3800 RPM 156 HP @ 3800 RPM 154 BHP @ 3800 RPM |
Torque: | 295 lb-ft @ 1800-2600 RPM 400 Nm @ 1800-2600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Common Rail |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 97 mph (156 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 265/70 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.5 in (4229 mm) |
Width: | 69.3 in (1760 mm) |
Height: | 76 in (1930 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.1/58.1 in (1,476/1,476 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.5 in (216 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 5015 lbs (2275 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6283 lbs (2850 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 17.2 mpg US (13.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 23.8 mpg US (9.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 20.8 mpg US (11.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 289 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 320 CDI V6 7AT AWD (226 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2987 cm3 |
Power: | 165 KW @ 3800 RPM 224 HP @ 3800 RPM 221 BHP @ 3800 RPM |
Torque: | 398 lb-ft @ 1600-2400 RPM 540 Nm @ 1600-2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Common Rail |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 7-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 265/70 R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 166.5 in (4229 mm) |
Width: | 69.3 in (1760 mm) |
Height: | 76 in (1930 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.1/58.1 in (1,476/1,476 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.5 in (216 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 5015 lbs (2275 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6283 lbs (2850 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 400 CDI V8 5AT AWD (250 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 3996 cm3 |
Power: | 184 KW @ 4400 RPM 250 HP @ 4400 RPM 247 BHP @ 4400 RPM |
Torque: | 413 lb-ft @ 1700-2600 RPM 560 Nm @ 1700-2600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Common Rail |
Fuel: | Diesel |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 113 mph (182 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 265/60 R18 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 166.5 in (4229 mm) |
Width: | 69.3 in (1760 mm) |
Height: | 76 in (1930 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 58.1/58.1 in (1,476/1,476 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.5 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.5 in (216 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 8.8 cuFT (249 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 5489 lbs (2490 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6283 lbs (2850 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 14.6 mpg US (16.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 21.4 mpg US (11 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 18.4 mpg US (12.8 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 340 g/km |