The Combat G-Wagon Mercedes Won’t Sell Us

The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon started life as a military vehicle, but over the decades it evolved into a luxury SUV better known for valet parking than combat. At EnforceTac in Germany I finally got to see the newest military evolution of the platform in person: the W464 Caracal. Built by Rheinmetall using the latest G-Class chassis, the Caracal is designed specifically for airborne and special operations forces. It fits inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, can run on low-quality diesel or even kerosene, and can mount everything from machine guns to modular weapon systems. I spoke with Dennis from Rheinmetall, a former German paratrooper who operated the original “Wolf” G-Wagon in service, and he gave us a full walkaround of the vehicle. The result is probably the most extreme G-Wagon ever built, and unfortunately it’s one Mercedes will never sell to civilians.