The Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen was first introduced in Europe on February 5, 1979. Its distinctive design, largely unchanged in thirty years, and its outstanding engineering have long since elevated the cross-country vehicle to cult status and made it one of the most coveted vehicles in the luxury offroader segment.

Development of the cross-country vehicle commenced in 1972 with a joint venture agreement between Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch, based in the Austrian city of Graz. In 1975 the decision was taken to launch the series and build a new plant for it in Graz, where the G is still mostly made by hand even today.

At the 1979 market launch, the vehicle came with four engine variants, with outputs ranging from 72 hp to 150 hp. A station wagon and a panel van, each in short and long wheelbase versions, were the four original body variants available. These were complemented by an open cross-country vehicle with short wheelbase as a fifth body variant.

The current 463 series comprises three body variants: a two-door cabriolet, a three-door station wagon and a five-door station wagon. There are also special versions for commercial customers and the military.