Over its 40-year run, the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen evolved from a rugged, military-grade, four-wheel-drive vehicle to a tony high-performance beast. Reportedly developed in response to a request by the Shah of Iran for use in his armed forces, the “G-Wagen” was later reworked for civilian configuration. With the introduction of the code 463 series in 1989, the off-roader received its most comprehensive refresh, which catered directly to the burgeoning luxury SUV market.

Initially, Mercedes-Benz kept the boxy off-roader from the U.S. market but allowed an independent importer in New Mexico to market the vehicle until 2002. At that time, Mercedes-Benz took over distribution and it was officially integrated into the lineup as the G-Class. Receiving various updates in the intervening years and beyond, the G-Wagen would grow evermore luxurious and powerful, gaining exclusive AMG variants and evolving into a status symbol for the rich and famous, replete with turbocharged V-8 and V-12 power.

The example offered here, a 2015 G 63 AMG, features a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine capable of producing a truly impressive 563 horsepower. The exterior of the vehicle is finished in Jet Black with red AMG brake calipers over a black interior fitted with Designo perforated leather seats and a Harmon Kardon audio system. At the time of cataloging, the odometer registered 75,088 miles.

Easily one of the most significant Mercedes-Benz models of all time, the G-Wagen endures as a status symbol. With AMG power under the hood, this example will surely appeal to anyone who enjoys bank-vault build quality and a boosted V-8.