2018 Mercedes-Benz G300 CDi Professional

Australian armed forces have about 2,000 of them in service that replaced their aging fleet of Land Rovers and they’re backed by arguably the ultimate endorsement for ruggedness - the numerous defence contracts earned around the world.

Relatively unchanged since 1975, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-300 Professional is a stripped out civilian version of the G-Wagens supplied to the ADF, a back-to-basics vehicle in the best possible way and a last hurrah before its replacement arrived.

Settle back and take your time - the G300 Professional rewards with an upright driving position that’s comfortable over long distances and a great vista courtesy of the low waistline and expansive glasshouse. Touring is all about seeing things, and you see more out of the G-Wagen than modern 4x4s.

As standard, the G Professional includes a bull bar, snorkel, fog lights and black-painted 16-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres. And, befitting its workhorse job description, the vehicles comes a water drain plug in the floor (there are rubber mats in lieu of carpeting) so you can hose out the cabin after a cross-Simpson dash.

The interior is barebones too, unlike the mainstream versions of the G, the Professional wagon has a four-seat layout with walk-through access to the luggage compartment.

Also, in keeping with the Professional’s intended purpose is a 96-litre fuel tank, two 12-volt batteries, tyre-pressure warning system, dirty air-filter warning, brake pad wear indicator for the front axle brake, headlight and indicator stone guards, and radiator and oil sump shields.

The car offered is a simply stunning 2018 G300 CDi Professional travelled just 56,000 kilometres and ordered in stealthy Obsidian Black Metallic over Black leather trim.

Optioned with the Edition PUR package, which consists of a walk-on bonnet, electric door mirrors, roof rack, heat-insulated and tinted glass behind the B-pillar, side running boards, towbar, a headlight cleaning system, heated leather seats and a radio/CD player for $9,900 (MRLP) this incredibly well-maintained car is the best available.

Featuring a complete Mercedes-Benz factory service history, the last service in March of this year this car is also accompanied by its original keys, service receipts and all original manuals inc the service booklet kept within the leather wallet.

A Moroting.com.au review in 2017 said “The G Professional is a capable workhorse that would – in all likelihood – not miss a beat over years of hard use in harsh environs. But more than that, it’s a slice of history, and you’d have a bona-fide collector’s item on your hands as a significantly overhauled G-Wagen (rumoured to gain independent front suspension) is due to debut next year.” A 4x4 that harks back to the ‘good old days’ when Land Rovers and 40 Series Land Cruisers didn’t need a track, just a compass bearing- this last of, best of and mint condition G300 Professional is a very savvy choice.