Mercedes G-Wagen spy shots

Why on earth would Mercedes want to camo-wrap a G-Wagen? [updated photos]

Given it's been on sale since the 70s you wonder what on earth Mercedes is up to requiring an anti-spy snapper camo livery for its venerable G-Class. Or G-Wagen as we still prefer to call it. Mainly because it sounds cooler.

Could this be a G-Wagen style body on modern underpinnings, cashing in on the classic looks but running somewhat less antiquated running gear? Erm, nope. You can still see the live axles. So it would appear to be business as usual under there.

What of the body? What could be radical enough there to require a full camo wrap? Seemingly not a lot. The proportions are as boxy as ever, the windscreen is still board flat, the bonnet line and wing-mounted sidelights/indicators are as they've always been and it all looks as anti-fashion cool as ever. The clues come in the accompanying text from the spy photo agency, pointing to what looks like increased width in the body. Handily their man with the camera has managed to get a pic of the mule with a regular G in the background and it would appear to back up the claim of as much as 10cm additional width. Note also the more modern door cards in the shot with them open; heaven knows Mercedes has been doing its best with the G's 70s architecture but, while we rather like the retro feel, those spending six figure sums probably want something a little more up to date.

Given the G-Wagen is still body-on-frame this would appear to be a relatively simple way of increasing the interior space and accommodating the kind of safety and gizmo count all modern Mercs are expected to carry. Without stopping it looking like an old one.