Introduced in 1979 as a purpose-built off-road vehicle, this nameplate began life as a rugged, boxy utility model developed for demanding civilian, military, and governmental use. Its early reputation was built on extreme durability, a ladder-frame construction, and serious off-road capability rather than luxury. Over time, it evolved from a straightforward workhorse into one of the most recognizable premium off-road vehicles in the world, while retaining its upright silhouette and strong capability-focused identity. The model has gone through several major eras of continuous development, including early long-running series built in Graz and later generations that added significantly more comfort, technology, and performance without abandoning the original concept. Special-duty and high-performance variants helped broaden its appeal, but its core character has remained unchanged: a highly capable, distinctly styled off-roader with a strong enthusiast following and a long association with expedition use, official fleets, and luxury-car culture. Production continues today, making it one of the longest-lived nameplates in the segment.
MODEL HISTORY