What is the internal model code of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class used by the German military?

The story behind the answer

The internal model code of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class used by the German military was W461.

Mercedes-Benz developed the W461 as the utilitarian, military and government-oriented branch of the G-Class. It retained the basic rugged chassis concept of the earlier W460 while differing from the more comfort-focused W463, which became the principal civilian version after its introduction around 1989–1990.

The German Bundeswehr used W461 vehicles under the name “Wolf.” They served in many configurations, including utility vehicles, ambulances and protected variants. The W461’s military specification could include a 24-volt electrical system and equipment designed for demanding field conditions. More than 12,000 vehicles were delivered to the Bundeswehr in over 50 versions, according to the model’s documented history.

The nearby codes are easy to mix up. W460 identifies the original G-Class generation, while W463 denotes the better-equipped civilian-oriented line. W464 is a later military successor announced in the 2020s. Thus, for the classic German military G-Class described by this question, W461 is the canonical answer.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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