Mercedes-Benz G-Class Going Full 'G-Rassic Park' for Detroit

Craig Cole
by Craig Cole

The all-new 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is set to be revealed on January 14. To gear up for this unveiling, the company has encased a vintage 1979 example in a huge block of amber.

Just how big is this display, which sits in the entrance area of Cobo Center, home of the North American International Auto Show? To house an entire SUV it has to be massive, and this thing supposedly clocks in at just shy of 45 tons, making it the largest installation of its kind in the world.

This translucent brick took 90 days to make. Breaking out a tape measure, it clocks in at 18 feet (5.5 meters) long, 8 feet (2.55 meters) wide and more than 10 feet (3.1 meters) tall!

SEE ALSO: 2018 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

But why put together such a seemingly preposterous publicity stunt? Well, it represents the timeless nature of this legendary off-roader, which the company is likening to an insect preserved in amber. This could be a plot driver in the movie G-rassic Park.

For the last four decades, the G family has been synonymous with rugged capability, and that’s not expected to change at all with the updated model. Its DNA has remained stable for generations.

The new 2019 G-Class will be formally unveiled on the evening of January 14. Check AutoGuide.com regularly for up-to-the-minute news from the 2018 North American International Auto Show.

Discuss this story on our Mercedes-Benz Forum

Craig Cole
Craig Cole

Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).

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