An old Mercedes favourite returns to the UK

Mercedes has announced that its super-tough G-Class 4x4 will once more be sold in the UK from this autumn after a ten-year break.

The G-Class was first introduced in 1979, and is a favourite with military customers around the world. Over 200,000 have been sold. The G-Class was developed in conjunction with Austrian 4x4 specialist Steyr-Daimler-Puch. Steyr built its reputation on hard-core off-road vehicles such as the Pinzgauer, which is in widespread use with the British Army.

Over the years, Mercedes has given in to the temptation to tart up the G-Class both in terms of equipment and engines, a development that has taken the car away from its utilitarian roots and also made it very expensive; the top-of-the-range model will be the G 55 AMG Kompressor, which lists at an eye-watering £114,975, while a diesel, the G 350 CDI, will be available at £79,975. The entry-level model, the G 300 CDI Professional, which appears to be aimed at traditional off-road users and businesses rather than show-offs, costs a still-steep £57,975.