The iconic G-Class is celebrating its 35th anniversary via a world record and an introduction of a special edition model. The global adventure taken by Gunther Holtorf and his wife Christine set out in their Mercedes-Benz 300 GD started with the aim to visit as many of the countries around the world as possible. When they embarked on the journey, their G-Class was just ten years old. Today, the vehicle is 26 and just under 900,000 kilometres, and more importantly – has visited 215 countries later.
To celebrate this record, the marathon vehicle will take pride of place in the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, where it will be shown to visitors. In addition, ‘Otto’ the adventurous G-Class will also be made immortal in the Guinness World Records. Even more: since the finish of this unique journey around the world will coincide with the 35th anniversary of the G-Class, Mercedes will also mark the occasion with the launch of the special edition models G 350 BlueTEC Edition 35 and G 500 Edition 35.
The exclusive G-Class Edition 35 special model features the same body lines as its first ancestor. In fact, the body has been unchanged for 35 years and this exclusive Edition 35 clearly demonstrates this. It will be available for the G 350 BlueTEC and G 500 models and come to celebrate the anniversary.
The vehicle will be running on 18-inch 5-spoke light-alloy wheels in bright black, while the front and rear bumper, wheel arch linings, exterior mirrors and the roof sparkle come in obsidian black metallic. They contrast to the designo mystic white bright or palladium silver metallic paint finishes. There is also an option of an obsidian black metallic paint finish for the body.
As a standard Mercedes has introduced here the Sports package, which features AMG wheel-arch flaring and on the G 500 with sports exhaust system. There is also a Chrome package with chrome highlights in the radiator grille, chrome surround on the seat adjustment switch panel and loudspeakers or the door sill panel in the luggage compartment with “Mercedes-Benz” lettering.
Inside, the Edition 35 models features two high-grade leather upholstery and appointments options. They are available in two-tone designo porcelain/black or single-tone designo black. In both cases red contrasting topstitching further emphasizes the sporty character of the car. Also featured here is the Exclusive package with leather-covered dashboard, AMG performance steering wheel and designo trim in black piano lacquer as well as the roof liner in stylish designo black DINAMICA microfibre.
300 GD world-record tour at a glance:
| Duration | 26 years |
| Total kilometres | 897,000, equivalent to about 22 times around the Earth or Earth – Moon and back plus another two times round the Earth |
| Of which kilometres off-road | 250,000 |
| Countries visited | 215 |
| Borders crossed | 410 (outside Europe) |
| Ocean container shipments | 41 |
| Deep-sea ferry passages | 113 |
| Highest point | Base Camp Mount Everest 5200 metres above mean sea level |
| Lowest points | Dead Sea/Death Valley, both around150 metres below sea level |
| Coldest place on the tour | Near Irkutsk, Siberia, -27 degrees Celsius |
| Hottest place on the tour | Australian outback near Alice Springs,+50 degrees Celsius |
| Other statistical data | Total time spent driving equivalent to 3.5 years |
| Stops at border posts around half a year |
Technical data Mercedes-Benz 300 GD:
| Design/body | Ladder-type frame with bolted-on body, Long Station Wagon |
| Engine | 5-cylinder in-line diesel engine |
| Mixture formation | Indirect diesel pre-chamber injection, Bosch piston injection pump |
| Displacement cc | 3005 |
| Output, kW/hp | 65/88 at 4000 rpm |
| Torque, Nm | 170 at 2400 rpm |
| Transmission/drive | 4-speed manual transmission, engageable all-wheel drive, low range, engageable differential locks front/rear |
| Length/width/height mm | 4395/1700/1950 |
| Wheelbase mm | 2850 |
| Kerb weight/payload kg | 2105/695 |
| Expedition weight ‘Otto’ kg | 3300 |
| Top speed km/h | 130 |
