Exploring The G-Wagon Factory: A Tour Experience

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also known as the G-Wagon, is an iconic off-roader with a reputation for luxury and durability. The G-Wagon has been hand-built in Graz, Austria, at the Magna Steyr Automobile Company since 1979. With its boxy shape and rugged features, the G-Wagon has become one of the most popular and recognisable vehicles on the road. While little has changed in its design over the years, there is now an opportunity to tour the Magna Steyr factory in Graz and witness the production of this legendary SUV.

The G-Class Experience Centre in Graz

History

The G-model's history began in the summer of 1969 when Daimler-Benz AG and Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG decided to develop and produce an extreme off-road vehicle with good handling on the road. The production facilities, with a capacity of up to 10,000 vehicles per year, were built in Graz-Thondorf, Austria.

The Experience

The G-Class Experience Centre offers an exclusive and individual experience for G-Class enthusiasts and customers. The centre spans 100,000 square metres on an old air base, providing an extensive space for various activities. The experience includes testing the G-Class fleet's capabilities at different driving stations, including the "Iron Schöckl", a ramp with a 100% incline, and the "G Rock", which explains the purpose of the grab handle.

Factory Tour

A factory tour through the Magna Steyr production halls is a highlight of the experience. Participants can gain deeper insights into the development and creation of the G-Class, witnessing the transformation of military vehicles into luxury SUVs. The tour showcases the DNA of the G-Class, including its on- and off-road capabilities, side slope management, and water crossings through its 70-centimetre fording depth.

On-Road Course

The on-road course lets drivers experience the power of the Mercedes-AMG G 63 with its 585 PS performance on asphalt. Participants can also learn slalom manoeuvres, braking techniques, and how to avoid dangerous situations.

G-Base

The G-Base offers a unique opportunity to explore the numerous individualisation options available in the new G manufaktur. Visitors can discover different combination possibilities and get inspired by the Amber Cube, a G-Class from the first production year (1979) showcased in the world's largest synthetic resin installation.

Package Details

The exclusive event package includes dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel in Graz city centre for two people. The next day, a private shuttle service takes guests to the G-Class Experience Centre for a day full of driving experiences and exploration.

The G-Class factory tour at Magna Steyr

The G-Class Experience Centre in Graz, Austria, offers an exclusive opportunity to explore the G-Class factory and get a behind-the-scenes look at the production process. This unique experience takes visitors through the journey of the iconic G-Class, from its early days as a military vehicle to its evolution into a luxury civilian SUV.

A Journey Through the Factory

During the factory tour, visitors will walk through the production halls of Magna Steyr, witnessing the intricate process of crafting each G-Class vehicle. The chassis of each G-Wagon moves through the factory on a rail system, stopping at various workstations. Visitors will be able to see first-hand the attention to detail that goes into every aspect of the vehicle, from the thick sheet steel chassis to the luxurious Nappa leather and carbon fibre interiors.

History and Evolution of the G-Class

The G-Class factory tour provides a deep dive into the history of this legendary vehicle. Visitors will learn about the collaboration between Daimler-Benz AG and Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, which led to the development and production of the G-model, combining off-road capabilities with on-road handling. The G-Class has come a long way since its early days as a military truck, and the tour showcases the evolution of its design and technology.

Test Tracks and Off-Road Challenges

Located near the city of Graz is the legendary Schöckl mountain, which serves as the ultimate test track for the G-Class. Every G-Wagon must conquer the challenging terrain of this 5.6 km route, with gradients of up to 60% and lateral inclinations of up to 40%. Visitors can witness the G-Class in action, tackling the Iron Schöckl, a ramp with a 100% incline, and navigating through water crossings, showcasing its exceptional off-road capabilities.

On-Road Performance and Handling

In addition to its off-road prowess, the G-Class is also known for its smooth on-road performance. During the factory tour, visitors will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG G 63 and experience the power of its 585 horsepower engine. They will navigate dynamic surfaces, slalom manoeuvres, and learn how to handle the vehicle in a variety of on-road scenarios.

An Unforgettable Experience

The G-Class rolls off the assembly line

Magna Steyr produces around 100 G-Class vehicles a day in two shifts, five days a week. This amounts to around 25,000 G-Class vehicles a year, including about 5,000 for the military. The G-Class was first introduced as a civilian luxury vehicle in 1979, after starting life as a military truck. It has since become one of the most popular and recognisable vehicles on the road.

In July 2017, the 300,000th G-Class rolled off the production lines at the Magna Steyr facility. By the end of that year, Mercedes-Benz had sold over 22,000 units, marking the best yearly record for the G-Class. In December 2020, the 400,000th G-Class was produced, with a red G 400 d model rolling off the production line in Graz.

The G-Class is known for its iconic design, with its boxy shape, visible door hinges, and spare wheel at the rear. It has also maintained its reputation as a capable off-roader, enduring some of the car industry's roughest tests, including the famous Schockl Mountain. The G-Class has consistently scored five-star ratings in safety tests.

The G-Class Experience Center in Graz offers customers and fans the opportunity to experience the on- and off-road capabilities of the G-Class first-hand. The center provides a factory tour through the Magna Steyr production halls, allowing visitors to gain insights into the development and creation of the G-Class.

The G-Class's transition from military to civilian use

The G-Wagen, or G-Class, is an off-road vehicle produced by Mercedes-Benz, which has been hand-built in Graz, Austria, at the Magna Steyr Automobile Company since 1979. The plant in Graz is not part of Mercedes-Benz's network of factories but is instead run by Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Canadian-based Magna International.

The G-Class was initially designed as a military vehicle, combining "extreme off-road capabilities with good handling on the road". The G-Class was first introduced as a civilian luxury vehicle in 1979, marking the beginning of its transition from military to civilian use.

The G-Class has since become a popular and recognisable vehicle on the road, known for its boxy, military-style design. In total, around 25,000 G-Class vehicles are produced annually, including about 5,000 for the military. Over 60% of the G-Wagen models are sold as high-performance AMG G63 and G65 models.

The G-Class is known for its off-road performance, with features such as high ground clearance, impressive lean angle, and gradeability. It is also equipped with engine cooling for hot countries, improved corrosion protection, and a new track width for better performance with snow chains.

The G-Class has been continuously developed for use by states and authorities, incorporating experience gained from series production for the civilian market. The G-Class is used by emergency crews for rescue and special operations and has been proven reliable in patrol and liaison duties, disaster relief operations, and peacekeeping missions worldwide.

The transition of the G-Class from military to civilian use has been a successful one, with the vehicle becoming a popular choice for those seeking a high-performance, luxury SUV.

The G-Class's testing and safety features

The G-Class is built to withstand extreme off-road conditions and perform well on the road. During development, the G-Class is tested on Graz's local mountain, the Schöckl, which has a legendary 5.6 km test track. This track includes gradients of up to 60% and lateral inclinations of up to 40%. Every G-Class model must conquer this challenging route to prove its worth.

The G-Class has a range of safety features, including a front crash bar, ten airbags, electronic stability control, and the Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call system. Active brake assist, speed limit assist, attention assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot assist, trailer-stability assist, adaptive high-beam assist, adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assist, a rearview camera, and pre-safe are also standard. The G-Class received a full five-star overall safety rating from EuroNCAP.

In terms of crash safety, the G-Class has always been a sturdy SUV in head-on and rear-end collisions. However, its high centre of gravity makes it prone to rollovers, especially at high speeds. The G-Class is equipped with electronic stability control to help mitigate this risk.

The G-Class also has impressive safety features for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. The bonnet provides marginal to adequate protection for pedestrians' heads, with areas of good and poor performance. Leg and pelvis protection for pedestrians is good or adequate. The AEB system can detect and react to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

Frequently asked questions