Though no longer homologated and available in the UK, the Lada Niva – now simply called the VAZ Lada 4x4 – was originally launched in 1977, and survives in production today in original form, as well as more recent long-wheelbase 5-door, pick-up and box van models.
Today’s Mitsubishi Shogun – marketed as Pajero elsewhere, except in Spanish-speaking countries, where it is badged as the Montero, as Pajero means something rather distasteful in Spanish! – was first seen in 1999, with a mild facelift appearing in 2006. An all-new replacement model is believed to be due for release in the near-future. The much-missed Land Rover Defender is briefly back too, just re-introduced for 150 lucky buyers as a JLR SVR-built V8 special.
So, what of the out-going Mercedes and Suzuki? Tackling the German (but Austrian-built) G-Class first, this model was originally launched as a functional off-roader with a posh badge in 1979, with the G-Wagen (short for Gelandewagen) first being revealed to the German military forces as long ago as 1972, in the precise, unaltered form of the 1979 production version!
During its long near-40-year production run, the G-Wagen (now G-Class) was built in many stocky forms, from SWB 2-door wagons and pick-ups, through to more opulent and rapid long-wheelbase models, as favoured in more recent times by rap artists, drug barons and questionable political leaders. Over its 40-year reign, the Mercedes has moved from being a basic, functional 4x4 for military and agricultural use, to become a pimped-up glitzy SUV for wealthy extroverts. Sadly, the new replacement 2019 model looks set to appeal more to this latter audience.