2000 Mercedes-Benz G-Class W463 SWB 270 CDI 5AT AWD (156 HP)

Vehicle Overview

In 2000, at the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the refreshed W463 G-Class, which came in three types of bodywork, including the three-door version.

While the star of the sales by 2000 for the W463 G-Class was the five-door version, the three-door was the one that topped in terms of off-road abilities. Thanks to its short wheelbase and the better power-to-weight ratio, it was chosen by many. Mercedes-Benz also knew that its customers didn’t complain about the SUV’s appearance or off-road performance. On the other hand, there were many requests to improve the road behavior, the transmission, and the interior. As a result, the German car manufacturer worked mostly in these areas. At the same time, it couldn’t leave the exterior untouched, so it tweaked it a bit here and there, mostly to make it appear fresh. Furthermore, it improved the safety systems and added several features that were unavailable before this 2001 model-year version.

From its front side, the three-door version had the same rugged look as its five-door sibling. It featured a new, three-slat plastic grille that supported the automaker’s center-mounted badge. On the sides, in individual casings, the automaker placed the round headlights. Even though it had enough room to install the turn signals and parking lights, it preferred to leave those in the same spot as before, on top of the front fenders. These were already a known trademark of the vehicle. The new plastic (ABS) bumper could be optioned with rectangular fog lamps.

From its profile, the short-wheelbase version of the G-Class was available as a three-door station wagon or as a two-door convertible. Starting with this version, the G-Class got body-colored flared wheel arches and door mirror caps. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz installed turn signals on the door mirror’s caps, enhancing the vehicle’s safety. Depending on the grade and options, the car could be optioned with side steps that ease ingress and egress. At the back, the side-hinged rear door allowed access to the tiny trunk and mostly served as a support for the full-size spare wheel.

Mercedes-Benz redesigned the car’s interior. It created a new dashboard, which featured an instrument cluster that resembled the one installed in the C-Class (the W203). It had a large, center-mounted speedometer flanked by the tachometer on the left and the fuel level gauge on the right. Surprisingly, the coolant temperature wasn’t shown on the main dials, so the driver had to find the reading on the car’s onboard computer on a small screen fitted inside the speedometer’s dial. To do that, it had to use the buttons on the steering wheel, which looked like it was carried over from an E-Class (the W210). On the center stack, the automaker placed the new COMAND infotainment unit, which included navigation and was available with phone connectivity. Customers could get the car with wood trims on the dash, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. Those seated in the back, on the other hand, didn’t have enough legroom.

Under the hood, the automaker installed a range of Euro 3-compliant gasoline or turbodiesel engines. All were paired with a newly developed five-speed automatic transmission, also known as the 5G-Tronic. The high and low-range transfer boxes sent power in all corners via three manual-locking differentials. Mercedes-Benz tried to improve road handling by re-tuning suspension and dampers, although the vehicle’s base was still the same sturdy, off-road-oriented, ladder-frame chassis.