The '500' in 500 GE V8 was meant to be the production run — but Mercedes only had enough leftover V8s on hand to actually finish 446 of them.
Median 127 hp across 52 similar cars
Lead trim: 500 GE V8 (M117 5.0 V8)
Mercedes-Benz G-ClassW463-500GE-V8 · 1993–1994
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FactThe '500' in 500 GE V8 was meant to be the production run — but Mercedes only had enough leftover V8s on hand to actually finish 446 of them.
Mercedes-Benz premiered a special edition of the G-Class with its first-ever V8 engine at the 1993 Geneva International Motor Show, the 500 GE V8, available as a 5-door long-wheelbase station wagon and, the text says, for one year, 1993, only (the engine table gives 1993–1994). The completed body and chassis were shipped from Graz, Austria, to the AMG engineering centre in Affalterbach, where the chassis was modified to accept the M117 V8 and beefed up for the extra weight and performance. The V8 developed 177 kW (241 PS; 237 hp), with the text giving 375 N·m (277 lb·ft) and the table 365 N·m (269 lb·ft), and 0 to 100 km/h in 11.4 seconds at a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). A special paint, Amethyst Blue Metallic, is exclusive to it and extended to the grille, bumpers, mirror housings and fender flares; the interior is black leather with medium grey contrast, including the steering wheel, with walnut veneer on the centre console, handbrake lever, transmission selector levers and door cards, and it came with air conditioning, an automatic gearbox, cruise control, a sliding sunroof, heated seats, power central locking and electric window winders. It cost DM 178,250 ($107,381 at 1993 exchange rates) against DM 88,500 for the 1993 300 GE, the top regular G-Class. Production was initially to be limited to 500 units, signifying the "500" in the name; 446 were built and sold, because Mercedes-Benz had a remaining batch of 446 M117 V8 engines when M119 production started for the W140 S-Class, and the wider M119 could not fit the G-Class engine compartment. A Puch 500 GE V8 was offered too, with only three units produced. The V8 option returned in 1998 with the G 500. Torque is left blank because the page gives two figures for it.
Collectors Spotted in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Lineage
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Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 GE V8 (M117 5.0 V8) | 1993–1994 | 5.0 L V8 | 237 hp | 277 lb-ft | — | 4WD | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
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Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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