The Mercedes-Benz G500 was a V8-powered variant of the W463 G-Class that was introduced for the 1999 model year. Originally, the G 500 was offered on both the short and long wheelbase, as well as in convertible or wagon body styles, but Mercedes phased out the short wheelbase and convertible body style in 2013. These luxury SUVs were initially fitted with Mercedes' M113 E50 engine, which was a 292hp 5.0L V8. This engine was replaced for the 2009 model year by Mercedes' M273 KE55 powerplant, which was a 5.5L V8 that generated 382hp. The last major engine update occured for the 2016 model year, when the G500 was fitted with Mercedes' M176 DE40 AL engine, which was a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that generated 412hp. Over the course of production, both 5 and 7 speed automatic transmissions were offered. The four wheel drive G500 was renamed the G550 for the North American market for the 2009 model year. Although Mercedes didn't officially sell the G-Class in the United States until 2002, a small company called Europa imported European examples and prepared them for the US market. After almost twenty years of production the Mercedes-Benz G550 had a facelift in 2018 and it is still under production as the Mercedes-Benz G500 - W463 Post-Facelift