Mercedes updates the G-Class for 30th birthday

Adding value to a successful design that's been essentially unchanged for 30 years might seem like an unecessary fix, but Mercedes has seen fit to add a few interior updates to its G-Class for its 30th year on the road.

The updates include a new set of 'ergonomically optimized' front seats which ostensibly improve comfort while adding better lateral bolstering for off-road support. Also on the list is a new rear bench seat with more modern appointments, including styling intended to echo that of the front bucket seats.

The new interior is available in either black or gray cloth and black, gray or chestnut leather. High-spec designo leather in black or classic red is also available for order, as is piano lacquer black wood trim. Early in 2010, a Labrador blue designo stone trim will also be available.

A few tech updates made the grade as well, including a now-standard auxiliary jack for music input, and ambient lighting is now available for the interior as well. A media interface for iPod or other USB devices can also be purchased.

Finally, the outside gets a choice of 'palladium silver metallic' or 'designo platinum magno' finishes in addition to the standard colors previously on offer.

The remainder of the range, from trim to powertrain, remains the same as the previous versions, including the G350 CDI, G500 and the 507hp (378kW) G55 AMG. For more on the G-Class and its 30th Anniversary celebrations, check out our story on the Mercedes G-Class EDITION30 models.