LOOK: 500,000th Mercedes-Benz G-Class rolls off the factory

It might not seem like it, but it's been 44 years since the very first Mercedes-Benz G-Class rolled off the production line. Despite being over 4 decades old, the boxy SUV has gone from a utilitarian workhorse into one of the brand's most luxurious and opulent vehicles to date. Not only that, but the G-Class has built a reputation for going off-road and has cemented itself as one of the go-to vehicles when you need to go off the beaten path.

To celebrate the G-Class (or G-Wagen's) longevity, Mercedes-Benz recently revealed a special edition version that commemorates the nameplate's 500,000^th production anniversary. Painted in a unique hue called Agave Green, the 500,000^th G-Wagen produced actually borrows styling elements from a 1986 280 GE and also comes with retro-inspired elements.

Starting with the Agave Green finish, Mercedes-Benz claims that this particular paint is one of the first colors that were available for the G-Class. Next, are the turn signals which are finished in a shade of orange no longer used today and harks back to the typical look used by automobiles from the 1970s. Other elements that serve as a throwback include the large Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star on the rear wheel cover and the five-spoke sterling silver wheels.

More retro-inspired design features can be seen on the inside. The middle section of the seats is upholstered in a checkered fabric that was typical at the time. Meanwhile, the grab handle on the passenger side features the lettering “No. 500,000” and is finished in Agave Green to remind everyone this is no ordinary G-Class. Last but not least is the “Schöckl” door sill trim which serves as an integral part of the G-Class's vast customization options.

“On the occasion of the 500,000th anniversary, we would like to thank both our loyal customers and long-time fans as well as our employees and our production partner Magna Steyr in Graz. We are proud of this figure, which also underscores the exclusivity of the G-Class. After all, four whole decades have led to this significant anniversary. This makes the G-Class anything but a mass product,” said Dr. Emmerich Schiller, Chairman & CEO of Mercedes-Benz and Head of the Off-Road Vehicle Product Division at Mercedes-Benz AG.

With an all-electric G-Class set to be revealed in the not-so-distant future, the boxy SUV is set to enter its electrification era. While purists may be up in arms over a fully-electric version of the G-Class, enthusiasts will appreciate the fact that the G-Wagen will continue to be produced at Magna Steyr's Graz factory in Austria for years to come.