Re: <WOB> SUV Sightings

[andrew.j.thomas@xxxxxx]

Robert (rduckwor@domain.elided) asks:

> The other day, I came upon a vehicle that looked very much like a newer
> Land Rover Defender yet had an MB Tri-Star on the radiator grill and the
> designator "280 CE" on the flanks.  MB symbols on the rear as well.
> Blatant badge-engineering or does MB make such a true off road vehicle?

If you'd read the badge as 280 GE, you'd be right - a Merc off-roader.
Mercedes used to make a 'car' - you couldn't really call it an SUV - called
the G-wagen. G stood for the German "Gelande" or similar, can't recall
exactly what it means ('off-road', presumably). Very Defender-like, as in
bluff-fronted and somewhat square.

They petered out of production a couple of years ago I think. Didn't sell
well because of the huge size, huge thirst, huge running costs, huge
insurance, huge depreciation...

Regards

Andrew T
'95 318is.

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