Schöckl is a mountain in the Austrian state of Styria, and, as the crow flies, it is about 14km north of the city centre and the capital of Styria, Graz. Steeped in rich automotive history, Graz remains the sole city that builds Mercedes-Benz’s iconic Gelandewagen—colloquially known as the G Wagon. After 45 years of building the well-sought-after luxury SUV, Merc this year commemorates this milestone with the introduction of the Schockl Design 45 Edition, available in 400d guise.
This mountain is also the proving ground for each G-Class that is produced at the Graz plant; as such, it comes as no surprise that the model strewn on these pages celebrates this very epic mountain. But it also marks the end of the line for the current G-Class, with the new one standing in the wings, cited for April 2025 introduction here in Mzansi. It will also be the first time that the G is offered with an electric variant, dubbed EQG (officially G580), and that should bring with it an all-new platform for the model.
But let’s place the spotlight back on the model on test here, the Schockl Design 45 Edition. Plastered with several model-specific decals on the door and flank beading, rounded off by the tyre cover on the boot door with a topographical map and respective coordinates.
These spill fluidly into the cabin with the door kick plates and the front passenger grab handle with the “Manufaktur” word emblazoned. The rest of the cabin architecture is G-Class fare, meaning high-quality materials festoon all touchpoints, making it a very appealing sanctuary to while away your time. Head and legroom remain one of the model’s fortes, and you can easily seat three adults abreast in the rear quarters, save for a very heavy boot door that might prove arduous for some to operate. The cavernous space is more than enough for a few travel suitcases and a few days of sustenance items.
Getting in and out of the cabin does require some gymnastic contortions to do it gracefully, but the effort is worthwhile once aboard as the view from the pound seat is something to relish, even for my kids, who enjoyed the view from the wide, expansive windows.
Thumping under that clamshell bonnet is the brand’s silky smooth 2.9-litre inline-six turbodiesel engine that continues to champion the relevance of these torquey yet efficient powerplants. Up to this point, I have only been exposed to the AMG V8 variants of the G-Class, and, while their rumbling nature is what many owners enjoy, the G400d is the better all-around package. It offers better off-road prowess due to the lack of exhausts sprouting just below the front doors as per the AMG variant, which means better ground clearance off the beaten track; then there’s also the efficiency aspect.
Sure, one might argue that G owners are perhaps not perturbed by fuel efficiency, but the G400d lends you longer travels between fuel fill-ups, and, for the more adventurous owners, that ticks the boxes for an overlanding escapade. As such, we decided to nose the G400d to an off-road excursion, leaving the confines of the urban sprawl where the majority of G-Classes spend most of their lives. With three locking differentials and a range transfer case, the G400d simply walked through all the obstacles we threw at it as though it were lounging and begging us to make its day by doling out more challenging exercises.
Suffice it to say, the G took everything in its stride and proved why it remains one of the most capable SUVs to date. While not at the centre of the model’s character, that diesel engine's inconspicuous yet devastatingly effective disposition is perhaps what makes it even more impressive. It allows the driver to appreciate other aspects of the vehicle more than they would in the AMG V8 models, where the engine constantly plays the leading character in that movie production.
On the road, the G400d rides exceptionally well, thanks to the slightly higher profile tyres and plusher spring rate and damping. That engine has mounds of torque—700Nm—and uses it to incredible effect. It revs cleanly with a silky smooth character that fits the premium disposition of the G-Class. I sincerely hope that Merc retains this gem of a motor in the next-generation model. Consistently returning fuel consumption figures between mid-9 to 10 litres per 100km, the G400d is the guilt-free, logical choice if you want a G-Class mainly for its capabilities and looks more than how it sounds
I sincerely hope that Merc retains this gem of a motor in the next-generation model. Consistently returning fuel consumption figures between mid-9 to 10 litres per 100km, the G400d is the guilt-free, logical choice if you want a G-Class mainly for its capabilities and looks more than how it sounds. At a price of R3 706 051, the G400d remains an option for well-heeled and discerning buyers who want nothing but a G parked in their garage, and that's not a bad thing.
Of course, the G remains flawed. The panel gaps between the doors mean wind noise intrusion, particularly at highway speeds, which is quite prominent. Those said doors also require a hard thud or pull of the door handle to close properly, which is a bit tricky, particularly for small children. That said, the charming character of the Galendewagen remains something to behold, and the fact that the 45-year-old shape still commands such a cult following speaks volumes about its timeless and classic design. And that tagline “STRONGER THAN TIME” couldn’t be more apt a phrase!
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