The Mercedes G-Class, the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Land Rover Defender are legendary vehicles on and next to the leaked route. However, these classic 4x4s have long been desired as a residual maiden case, also available with electrical drives.
It is hardly likely to drive an ordinary Mercedes G-Class through the luxury district of Beverly Hills, Dubai or Grünwald. Even the more down -to -earth Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Rover Defender no longer turns the heads. Hardcore off-road enthusiasts often complain that the current versions of these increasingly expensive off-road legends have lost a large part of their rough charm. Functions such as digital displays, luxury trim or driver aid systems do not fit well with vehicles, the roots of which go back over forty years. More and more specialist companies have recognized this trend and have now convert 4 × 4 classics into highly exclusive off-roaders, keeping historical attraction while they satisfy themselves for the growing demand for personalization.
Restomods of the Mercedes G-Class have become particularly popular. As soon as these rustic machine and Wolf GD GD 250/290 and G 230-in have now made their way to the USA, these rustic machines are available, especially for little money, especially the two-door models of the Swiss army. Here, companies such as Expedition Motor Company transform them into the off-roaders from lifestyle lifestyle entertainment with original engine specifications, Corvette V8-Strom or even optional automatic transmission (12,500 USD) for the boulevards of Miami, London or Munich. Despite over 1,500 hours full of restoration work, these G-cars of the army keep their rustic charm and throw the residents into an analog 4 × 4 era the moment the heavy door handle is pulled. Options such as retrofitted Satnav, Apple CarPlay or four heated single seats do little to change this.
The prominently exhibited off-road chassis has little in common with the army surpluses when the car leaves the work in New Jersey-even if it still carries the clattering pre-chamber diesel engine with less than 100 hp. Basic instruments, exposed levers for the automatic gear lever, a low gear and the handbrake also reinforce the residual omod aesthetics. The open-top all-wheel drive is almost 120 km/h and rarely exceeds 100 km/h when driving real. This exclusiveness has a price – rarely below 200,000 US dollars. More affordable options are offered by the Mercedes specialist Lorinser in Waiblingen, Germany, the former radio or ambulance models from Mercedes or Puch with high roofs and motorhome conversions.
A similar concept is followed by “The Landrovers”. This customer-based customer completely restores classic defender models and offers it either a powerful V8 petrol engine or an electrical drive. Those who believe that the G-Class Restomods from Expedition Motor Company are expensive can be shocked by prices at the Landrovers, with branches in Amsterdam and Los Angeles. A V8 defender begins at € 382,500, while the 600 hp-p. Panterra version adds another 100,000 euros.
Thanks to a 200 kWh battery, the electric defense lawyer can travel up to 600 km before he has to charge. The interior has premium leather on request, digital or classic analog instruments, safari equipment or electrical individual seats. At the moment, however, the combustion models remain increasingly popular, with Cummin’s diesel engines or in the “Bohemian Mama Bigfoot” edition, V8 petrol engines with 525 hp or more can be seen.
Icon Motors in Los Angeles have specialized in classic Toyota Land Cruiser models and the historic Ford Bronco since the early 2000s. However, the most popular vehicle is the ICON FJ – based on the original generation of Toyota FJ40. The founder and CEO Jonathan Ward insists that these Restomods are real off-roaders, no show pieces: “It’s not real for the show!” says the former actor who fell in love with powder -coated off -roaders years ago.
Today, the FJ models are not only available as a shortwadding FJ40S, but also as FJ43, FJ44 or FJ45 variants with open beds and canvas throughput. As far as Engines are concerned, the ICON team is dependent exclusively on General Motors’ sports car technology. A 6.2-liter V8 delivers 430 hp via a four-speed automatic with overdrive to both axes. The off-road capacity is further improved by low equipment, differential locks and generous ground clearance. Used demonstrator models start at 175,000 US dollars.
