What vehicle has been around for more than 40 years, yet is still considered to be the pinnacle of elegance and refinement?

Paradoxically, it can also traverse further off the beaten track than most vehicles, and is regarded as one of the toughest and most durable off-roaders ever made.

We could only be talking about the G-Class: a vehicle designed in the 1970s primarily for military use. The strikingly utilitarian appearance that has barely changed since its launch is just part of what has made the G-Class – especially its most exclusive model, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 – an emblem of iconic luxury.

"The G-Class is the measure of all SUVs. We have given due deference to the character of this icon, and yet exercised puristic reduction to create the transition to modern luxury," says Gorden Wagener, chief design officer for Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

Born in the 1970s

How many vehicles launched in the 1970s are still on sale today? You could probably count them on one hand. Development work on a no-nonsense, go-anywhere off-roader started in the early 1970s, and finally in 1979 – the same year that Sony released the Walkman, Margaret Thatcher was elected UK Prime Minister, and the Skylab Space Station crashed back to earth – the G-Class was publicly launched. There was little fanfare, and certainly no hint of the exalted status it would one day command.

Its initial design was all about maximising utility and space. The solid, protruding door handles were set with a durable button built to survive heavy knocks; large square side windows and an upright glasshouse delivered excellent all-round visibility; and the tall seating position owed much to the exceptional underbody clearance.

Large wheel arches helped accommodate long-travel suspension for superior articulation in rough terrain, and short overhangs at the front and rear delivered helpful ramp-over angles for steep inclines. Inside, a utilitarian interior included a big grab-handle for the passenger to brace themselves as the G-Class hopped rocks and skipped through ruts.

An enduring icon

Despite seeming to flaunt its contempt for the mores of fashion, style and popularity, over the years the venerable G-Class somehow became all of these things – fashionable, stylish and popular.

In fact, the G-Class – or G-Wagen, as it’s known in Germany and around Europe – achieved early fame when it was chosen as the ‘Popemobile’ for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Germany in 1980. The eye-catching side profile, which stood out amid a sea of traffic, helped grow its standing – as did its unimpeachable reputation for terrain-hopping toughness.

But perhaps the key development that propelled the G-Class to the exalted social status it enjoys today was when Mercedes-Benz turned over its workhorse four-wheel-drive to AMG for a performance boost and luxury makeover.

The finishing flourish? Add AMG

Although AMG had dabbled in producing G-Class versions throughout the 1990s, it was only after the high-performance workshop had been officially absorbed into Mercedes-Benz that the watershed 2002 Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG model emerged.

Eye-catching chrome-plated twin exhaust pipes assertively thrust themselves from beneath either side of the body, while wider tyres, distinctive five-spoke wheels, splashes of chrome trim-work and overt AMG lettering served to emphasise the most appealing aspects of the G-Class design. This was matched by the performance punch of a 260kW 5.5-litre V8.

The rugged hero, which was the antithesis of the low-slung sports cars that car enthusiasts were so often drawn to, had unparalleled presence on the trendy streets of London’s Knightsbridge or New York’s Fifth Avenue.

In the two decades since, a succession of updates has seen an array of luxurious touches added. The latest model, the AMG G 63, sports everything from nappa leather seats with opulent diamond quilting, to a multi-function sports-style steering wheel, multi-zone climate control and high-end audio and multimedia systems.

"The [latest] G-Class is setting the bar higher still in all relevant areas – in terms of performance both on and off the road as well as with regard to comfort and telematics. Our 'longest-serving' model series is therefore ideally equipped to continue its success story,” says Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

Fundamentally the same

Crucially, the fundamentals of the G-Class haven’t changed. There’s still that iconic large grab handle, those chunky door handles, and the three differential lock switches commanding pole position in the centre of the dash. The off-road information centre with analogue dials for body angle, wheel angle and inclination might have been replaced in high-end models by digitally rendered dials on high-res screens – but don’t mistake this for any watering-down of the G-Class’ legendary toughness or off-road ability.

Even today, the G-Class maintains a fascinating duality, with numerous special-purpose versions in operation with police, fire service and rescue services due to their incredible off-road ability and hard-wearing, hose-out interior.

At the other end of the scale, the AMG G 63 remains as desired as ever. The king of the urban jungle sports a snarling twin-turbo V8 producing 430kW and 850Nm, and rides on distinctive 21-inch rims shod in low-profile tyres.

Today’s AMG G 63 is invariably the model that springs to mind whenever the G-Class is mentioned; a vehicle that, over the past 40 years, has come to embody the very concept of iconic luxury.

The next evolution of the G-Class journey will continue in 2024 with the introduction of the all-electric version. Stepping into the world of electric mobility, the G-Class will surely continue to be one of the world’s most impressive vehicles for many years to come.

Discover the sheer power of the Mercedes-AMG G 63.