March 6: It's about time

Holy conundrum, Batman, how in the world do we redesign a box and make it look the same?

This must have been the dilemma facing those overworked designers at Mercedes Benz, when Dieter Zetsche left a post-it note on their desks, saying after nearly forty years it's time to redesign the classic, dare I say, iconic G Class. Change it completely and make it look exactly the same. Whoa Nelly, now that is a tall order. But hand it to those hard working Swabians, they were able to turn this.......

2010 G Class

......into this.........

2018 G Class

......and still have time for a bratwurst lunch down by the river. I guess the threat of being fired and having to work at BMW lights a fire in any person. Check out that slogan, Stronger than Time. Which means exactly what?

Way back forty years ago, the G Class was started as the Gelandewagen, a rough and tough Land Rover competitor made initially for the German military.

But as always, as things moved along, things changed. It was also offered in a civilian version, then another couple of doors were added. Then as the suv kool-aid was drunk by the Americans, the demand for anything remotely resembling a tough 4x4 was fawned over by those "too wealthy to care" folks. Add some nice rims, an interior to die for and a way too powerful motor (available 621 HP V12). And, of course, a price in nose bleed territory for most of us (starting at $160k Cdn). Voila', the suv of your dreams.

Non military interior

And the suv lusted after by those fashionistas who have more money than good taste.......

Oh, the shame for such a noble beast. How do you think a G Class would prefer to spend its time? Protecting its countrymen...........

.....or doing the town?

Either way this money maker for Mercedes has been overhauled from stem to stern, in other words completely. Kept the name, changed everything else. Made to look exactly the same. Clever. Sadly I won't be around for its next major redo in 2058, but if Mercedes thinks the way they did this time, then we've already seen it.

What icon is next due for a redesign? I know for a fact it's this Land Rover Defender.......

Any suggestions?

Until next time......