Fashion meets function in this boxy, baffled beast of a machine
Mercedes Benz call it an “art piece”, suggesting you’ll need a home gallery rather than a simple garage to keep this latest iteration of the company’s indestructible G-Class happy. Launched to admiring crowds at the City of Genius show in Shanghai, the Project Past II Future takes a drop top version of the original 1990s G-Class, all straight lines and uncompromising brick-like aerodynamics, as its basis and gives this go-anywhere, do-anything workhorse a fashion makeover. Does it work? Let’s meet the Mercedes-Benz x Moncler Project G-Class Past II Future and find out.
The main collaboration is with Moncler, Milan-based purveyor of high-end outdoor gear, with a heavy emphasis on upscale padded jackets designed for those essential winter weekends in St Moritz, Courchevel or Zermatt. Adding an overall design eye is Nigö, Japanese streetwear visionary and artistic director of Kenzo. Nigö has added a gender-free clothing line that’s the ideal garb for this unique vehicle - and its unconventional roof.
So, yes that’s a quilted droptop roof that you see here, very much in the Moncler tradition. As Mercedes-Benz astutely point out: "The soft lines and distinct puffer pattern create an unexpected contrast to the strong silhouette of the vehicle.” It’s basically like giving the G-Class its very own upscale ski jacket. You’ll be nice and warm then inside, where seat fabric is bold monochrome tartan, very much referencing G-Class original interiors.
As a result of all of these interventions the Mercedes-Benz x Moncler with Nigö is more than the art piece that Mercedes-Benz suggests it to be. Instead, more of a quilted restomod. Along with the retro-facing tartan, there’s forward-thinking digital functionality on a back-to-the-90s minimalist analogue dashboard. Step outside - given for a moment you can escape the detailing of the powerful reference sound system by Brooklyn-based speaker sculptor and sound guru, Devon Turnbull - to admire the unique exterior colourway.
Mercedes-Benz x Moncler by Nigö: Finishing touches
The bold paintwork choice is an unusual take on two-tone, with green utility-style colourway to the front, segueing to silver from front wheelarches rearwards. Detailing adds a touch of distinctly unG-Class sparkle with gold finish to a fitted heavy duty fuel can. If you’re going to run out of petrol, why not do it in style? Rear mounted spare wheel reminds fashion-conscious drivers of strictly utilitarian nature of the original G-Class.
An art-piece show car with puffer roof is perhaps not the most practical item. Luckily, Mercedes-Benz have thought of that and are thoughtfully producing an edition of 20 more-drivable vehicles forming - as the company puts it - "the first purchasable products” from ongoing Mercedes-Benz x Moncler collaboration. Expect touches of the show car and some bold exterior flourishes incorporating that silver and blue colourway. Oh, and and a more ordinary metal roof. Price tag? We’re a little at a loss for once. Low six figure number? Double that? Possibly. But remember this is everyday fashion transport that will almost certainly survive the upcoming apocalypse. In great style.
