Mercedes-Benz has revealed the Project Gelandewagen, a race-inspired concept based on the iconic G-Class SUV.
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The conceptual design project, led by Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener and Virgil Abloh, Chief Creative Director and Founder of Off-White and Men’s Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton, is apparently aimed at disrupting future perceptions of luxury.
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Both designers being owners of the G-Class, considered how to give Mercedes-Benz designs a fresh perspective, while moving the concept of luxury away from a polished and flawless aesthetic to something raw and natural.
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In keeping with this idea, the exterior is kept as clean as possible and keeps handcrafted imperfections as they are. The paintwork was partially sanded by hand to add to the raw appearance.
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To justify its race-inspired design, the indicators, outside mirrors and the bumper bar have all been removed and the body of the car is widened and lowered, lending it a sportier stance.
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Reduction is the name of the game inside too, with the interiors stripped back, and the safety frame acting as a central motif.
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The dashboard is removed and replaced with a clean, reduced version with analogue speedometer and fuel gauges, reminiscent of a classic car.
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However the steering wheel and seats are inspired by those seen in proper racing cars.
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Safety features and key racing elements are highlighted in either baby blue or bright red tones. These strong accent colours have also been chosen to create a contrast against the bare interior.
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“My ultimate goal in this project with Mercedes-Benz is inspiring young artists, engineers, designers to question the status quo, in addition to experimenting with my own design abilities,” says Virgil Abloh. “For me it’s all about providing opportunities for those coming after me and giving this next generation a foundation for success, both here with Mercedes-Benz and through my own Virgil Abloh "Post-Modern" Scholarship Fund.“
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“With Project Geländewagen we create a unique artwork that showcases future interpretations of luxury and the desire for beauty and the extraordinary. The result is something between reality and future”, says Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer. “The collaboration with Virgil has seen two distinct design philosophies unite, for a one-of-a-kind re-imagination of the G that continues to celebrate the extraordinary at its core.”
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