Arcade Sojourn reimagines Mercedes GE 230

If a new G-Class is a bit much in every sense, how about a fresh take on the original?

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, 30 July 2024 / Loading comments

Should have seen this coming, really. The demand for traditional off-roaders with one or two nods to modernity shows no signs of letting up, with new-old Land Cruisers and Defenders seemingly here every week. It was only a matter of time before the G-Class received the same sort of attention. This surely can’t be the first G-Wagen rework - but the Arcade Cars Sojourn does look like being one of the more interesting.

Arcade is a British-based company, though the Sojourn project also draws upon relationships and expertise in Austria and Stuttgart. It will convert four-cylinder GE 230s from old Swiss Army stock to Sojourn spec, in the process creating a ‘completely resorted, updated, bespoke luxury 4x4’, albeit one that still looks like a classic G. Easy to imagine a few people wanting those.

Personalisation is the name of the restomod game; to that end, Arcade will offer accessories, paint, equipment and trim ‘as individual and charismatic as its owner wishes’. Arcade’s signature colours are Pacific Blue, Matte Black, Dark Olive and White Desert Tan, though really anything is possible. The interior can be six- or eight-person spec, with smartphone mirroring or discreetly integrated Bluetooth, with even a choice of steering wheels once the leather and dash has been settled on. The former army vehicles are subjected to hundreds of hours rebuilding before any paint, of course, addressing any dents, rust, or imperfections.

These aren’t intended to be display pieces, though. Arcade’s vision is that Sojourns should be used as Gs once would have been (the clue’s in the name and all that) rather than for cruising city streets. So each will be equipped with ‘an array of accessories that significantly extend its operating capabilities’, including LED lights (and even spotlights if required), additional grilles, off-road wheels and tyres and so on. Presumably the suspension and differentials have been redone also.

Under the bonnet, Arcade will rebuild the 2.3-litre four-cylinder either to standard spec - 128hp and 140lb ft - or to a 2.8-litre version with 151hp and 175lb ft. Technical Advisor Alexander D Fritz says the regular outputs are “ample” for on- and off-road driving, and this probably still doesn’t weigh much, but those spending hundreds of thousands on a G are surely going to be tempted by more. Or they could have an electric Sojourn, which has been designed in conjunction with Everrati and will be fully launched soon. The buyer’s wish is Arcade’s command - they’ll probably squeeze a V8 in if you ask nicely/pay handsomely enough.

Arcade reckons the Sojourn ‘bridges the gap between tradition and innovation, delivering a driving experience that is timeless and effortlessly contemporary’. It’ll be shown to the world at the Pebble Beach Concours, part of Monterey Car Week, next month. As good a place as any, surely, for showing off a lovingly restored Mercedes G-Class. Prices are from $130,000, or just over £100k (a new G450d is £136,690), though it’s easy to imagine that price climbing for those that want the bigger engine or particularly lavish leather or all the off-road kit. And they’ll likely think it worth every cent, even if that’s just for making G63s look very OTT indeed.