The New Mercedes 1980s Edition G-Wagen Embraces Retro Charm

      Mercedes-Benz

      Sign up for The Drive Daily

      Not everything from the ’80s was characterized by neon colors or synthwave-cyberpunk aesthetics. During that time, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, commonly referred to as the G-Wagen, was gaining traction as a legendary off-roader. Long before it became the go-to vehicle for Californian celebrities and their admirers, the G was primarily designed for purposes like safaris and military operations. This new limited “Stronger Than The 1980s Edition” revisits that original theme.

      A few years back, Mercedes began using the amusingly bold tagline “Stronger Than Time” to showcase the G's timeless design. Fair enough—among all the iconic cars that have been produced, few have maintained such a consistent appearance as the G-Class. Neither the Porsche 911 nor the Ford Mustang, nor even the Jeep Wrangler, have resisted change as firmly as the G. So, if you're curious about the seemingly absurd name “Stronger Than The 1980s,” there’s the explanation.

      Regarding the specifics of this model, it closely resembles the retro-inspired “500,000th” G-Class that Mercedes unveiled in 2023. The Stronger Than The 1980s Edition is primarily one of three special color variations, offering plaid upholstery, decorative lettering on the dashboard, a set of vintage-style wheels, and black exterior trim to evoke the unpainted plastics of the past. Plus, it features a stylish roof rack.

      Mercedes-Benz

      While there's not much to it, the design looks fantastic. I wish more car manufacturers would recognize that simplistic designs and subtle yet warm colors will always remain fashionable.

      Mercedes plans to produce only 460 units of this ’80s edition for global distribution, with some arriving at “select U.S. dealerships” later this year. I reached out to Mercedes' representatives for details on availability and pricing, and I will update this post if they provide any additional interesting information. The starting price for the 2025 Mercedes G550 is around $150,000, while the Mercedes-AMG G63 is approximately $190,000—I suspect this edition will fall somewhere between those price points.

      On the left, you can see the 500,000th G-Wagen showcased two years ago. Clearly, the folks at MB still believe it looks good—and they’re right! The car on the far right is a genuine classic, but I wouldn’t fault a casual observer for not distinguishing it from today’s G.

      Mercedes-Benz

      It's astonishing to me that the production numbers will be so limited, but I suppose recreating it wouldn't be too difficult since it is primarily a color combination. The choice of 460 units specifically references the “W460,” which was the chassis code for the original G-Wagen that debuted in 1979 and was produced throughout much of the 1980s.

      Seeing a Mercedes G in the U.S. during the ’80s or even the ’90s would have been exceedingly rare. A few made their way into the country, but only through small importers. They were not widely available at Mercedes dealerships until the early 2000s. In fact, the 18-inch five-spoke wheels Mercedes is installing on this Stronger Than The 1980s Edition remind me more of what the G500 featured during the Y2K era. I think Mercedes might be taking some creative liberties with its nostalgia here—a true ’80s G would have been equipped with steel wheels that resemble large dog bowls.

      Mercedes-Benz

      If I were on the shortlist to purchase one of these, I would struggle to choose a color—the green, off-white, and light tan are all such classic safari-style options. Ultimately, I think I would lean towards tan, or “Colorado Beige” as Mercedes calls it. The company provided a brief description of each color, which I’ll share since someone clearly put effort into creating them.

      MANUFAKTUR Agave Green: This earthy green exudes strength and a connection to nature, highlighting the G-Class's exceptional off-road capabilities.

      MANUFAKTUR Cream: This classic and timeless shade conveys elegance and sophistication, often chosen by customers who primarily utilized the G-Class for urban driving.

      MANUFAKTUR Colorado Beige: The warm, sandy tone evokes a sense of adventure and freedom, underscoring the G-Class's versatile nature.

      Mercedes-Benz

      Have a tip? Send us a note at [email protected].