Even before AMG was officially incorporated into the Mercedes-Benz group as a sports division, the two companies had already collaborated on the development of particularly exclusive and high-performance models. These cars include the Mercedes 500 GE V8, a special version that was launched in 1993 and produced in a small series of just 446 units.
Up until then, the 300 GE with its 170 PS M 103 six-cylinder engine had represented the pinnacle of the Mercedes G-series performance spectrum, which had gained an excellent reputation as a reliable companion in difficult terrain over its 14 years of production. The initiative for the new top model came from the Mercedes off-road department, and the first prototypes were then built directly at AMG in Affalterbach. The 500 GE made its official debut in March 1993 at the Geneva Motor Show.
A very special example of this already rare series was recently sold at auction at RM Sotheby's for around 126.000 euros. The vehicle has a remarkable history, as it was ordered as a new car by Saudi Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and was adapted directly at the factory to his specific wishes. The auctioned model bears chassis number 1669, was built on July 28, 1993 and first registered in Saudi Arabia in February 1994.
Under the hood of the 500 GE V8 was the tried-and-tested eight-cylinder engine from the brand's passenger car range. The M 117 with two-valve technology developed 241 PS and 375 Nm of torque from a displacement of just under five liters. This allowed the off-road vehicle, which was only available as a long-wheelbase station wagon, to accelerate from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour in 10,5 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 kilometers per hour.
One of the reasons for the strict limit to 446 vehicles was, ironically, the availability of this engine, as the M 117 had already been replaced in other series by the newer four-valve M 119 engine. This newer engine, however, was too large for the G-Class engine compartment due to its dimensions.
The changes to the special model were by no means limited to the engine. To ensure adequate driving performance, the developers equipped the vehicle with internally ventilated disc brakes on the front axle, an anti-lock braking system and special Bridgestone tires on alloy wheels, which were the only off-road tires at the time approved for speeds of up to 210 kilometers per hour. The chassis was set up to provide exceptional comfort. While the permanent all-wheel drive remained unchanged, the front differential lock was abandoned on the V8 model and a slightly lower wading depth was accepted, which in practice did not significantly limit the off-road capabilities.
The interior of the special series was completely redesigned and extremely luxurious. In addition to black leather upholstery with contrasting elements in medium gray, noble walnut veneers were used on the center console, gear lever, doors and parts of the handbrake lever. The extensive standard equipment included an automatic transmission, air conditioning, cruise control, an electric sliding/tilting roof and seat heating right from the factory.
While the production model was delivered in a special Amethyst Blue Metallic paint finish, which also featured body-colored bumpers and fender flares, the Saudi prince's vehicle stood out even more. He ordered an exclusive configuration in the special "Avantgarde Green" paint finish.
In addition, his car left the factory with a wider track and flared fenders to make room for larger AMG alloy wheels. In 2025, the prince's car underwent a thorough mechanical overhaul at a specialist workshop in Jeddah, including replacing the brake fluid, axle seals, fuel pump and differential. At the time of the auction, the odometer read just 24.254 kilometres.
This exclusivity came at a price in 1993, with the 500 GE V8 costing an outrageous 178.250 German marks. By comparison, the six-cylinder G 320 was available for 88.500 German marks at the time, and even the luxury S-Class model, the 500 SE, cost just 129.030 German marks. From today's perspective, the 500 GE V8 marked the beginning of the G-Class's radical transformation into a prestigious lifestyle symbol.
That same year, AMG introduced the AMG 500 GE 6.0, whose enlarged V8 engine developed 300 hp. In 1998, the eight-cylinder engine finally entered the regular sales range as the G 500, now also with a short wheelbase and in a convertible version. The 20th anniversary of the series in 1999 was followed by the G 55 AMG with 354 hp, before the power spiral reached a temporary peak in 2012 with the twelve-cylinder G 65 AMG with 630 hp.
