Mercedes’ LA Show Ener-G-Force Would Make One Cool Looking G-Class

This year’s LA Auto Show Design Challenge theme was about the ultimate highway patrol vehicle of 2025. Mercedes-Benz was one of the carmakers that picked up the gauntlet and its Advanced Design Center California came up with the Ener-G-Force patrol concept.

Their work was deemed good enough to turn the “pure science fiction” Highway Patrol Vehicle into a full-size concept car. Instead of a law enforcement vehicle, though, it became a study of how the G-Wagen, a hardcore off-roader that has been with us since 1979 might evolve in the future.

Read more »

Read More

Mercedes' LA Show SUV Concept Comes to Life; Says it Previews the Future for the G-Class

For this year's LA Auto Show Design Challenge, the organizers of the event asked automakers to dream up a patrol vehicle for the year 2025. Mercedes-Benz's North American arm and its Advanced Design Center California worked their magic and came up with the Ener-G-Force concept for an off-road patrol car.

Not content with the design drawings, Mercedes-Benz brought the Ener-G-Force study to life with a 1:1-scale model, albeit in civilian attire, with plans to present it to the public at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show from the end of the month.

The German carmaker makes no effort to hide the fact that the concept could preview a future design direction for its classic G-Class that has been in production since 1979, having been refined over the years.

"The Ener-G-Force is the vision of an off-roader that, while reflecting tomorrow’s adventures, also invokes the genes of the Mercedes-Benz off-road icon, the G model," explained Gorden Wagener, Director of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars. "Modern and cool, it could also be a clue about a new beginning for the off-road design idiom of Mercedes-Benz."

Read more »

Read More

That's One Way to Destroy to a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen…

Besides being amongst the most recognizable and oldest cars in production, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagen is also a tremendously capable off-road vehicle and one of the very few models in its class to use three fully locking differentials.

Nevertheless, you can understand that there are limits to what it can achieve. For example, attempting to conquer an extremely steep hillside cresting close to a 90-degree angle at full speed is practically begging for trouble.

Read more »

Read More

Toyo Tires Lays Out its SEMA Show Project Car and Star Plans

The countdown for the grand opening of the 2012 edition of the annual automotive aftermarket extravaganza known as the SEMA Show has begun. In less than a week's time, the Las Vegas Convention Center will open its doors to thousands of tuned and custom concept and production cars.

Besides its own products, Toyo Tires plans to host four specially customized cars at its booth, including two proposals from Japan's Wald International that are making their debut on U.S. soil.

Read more »

Read More