At the spectacular ‘City of Genius’ show in Shanghai on October 19, 2024, Mercedes-Benz and Moncler unveiled their latest groundbreaking collaboration: “Project G-Class Past II Future.” Inspired by renowned fashion designer NIGO, this one-off art piece merges the rugged appeal of a fully restored 1990s G-Class with contemporary streetwear aesthetics. The event also marked the launch of the campaign “Past Forward. Where the Future is Driven by the Past,” blending both brands’ heritage with future-facing innovation. Featuring star-studded contributions from fashion icons like Rick Owens and A$AP Rocky, the event attracted 8,000 attendees, with a staggering 57 million viewers globally. Rihanna’s much-shared appearance at the show further elevated its cultural impact. Against this vibrant backdrop, Mercedes and Moncler showcased their latest art piece alongside a gender-neutral, urban fashion capsule collection co-designed by NIGO, which is set to launch in April 2025. The centerpiece, the G-Class Past II Future, doesn’t merely serve as an art installation. It’s also the inspiration for a limited-edition G-Class model, with only 20 exclusive vehicles available in 2025. This move signals a further deepening of the connection between fashion and automotive design, echoing past collaborations like Virgil Abloh’s Project MAYBACH and KITH’s BMW M4 Comp. NIGO's Vision Takes the G-Class to New HeightsIn a powerful follow-up to their first collaboration, Mercedes-Benz and Moncler have once again joined hands to unveil a second art piece, crafted by the legendary streetwear designer NIGO. This creation, Project G-Class Past II Future, builds on the success of Project Mondo G, which debuted in 2023. However, this new iteration takes the collaboration even further, blending the rugged durability of the 90s G-Class with Moncler’s iconic puffer jacket aesthetic, now a signature of the brand’s outerwear. Measuring an imposing 14.76 feet long, 6.23 feet wide, and 6.56 feet tall, the Project G-Class Past II features a minimalistic olive green and grey two-tone color palette with bold black and gold accents gives it a modern, luxurious edge. But the real artistry lies in how NIGO has preserved the soul of the G-Class while transforming it into a contemporary icon. Key design elements, such as the rear-mounted spare wheel, foldable windscreen, and black steel wheels, remain intact but are reimagined with a fresh, urban twist. A gold-colored fuel can adds an unexpected touch of refinement to the overall look. This unique piece also marks the inspiration behind a limited-edition G-Class model that celebrates the 45th anniversary of the vehicle’s legacy. Based on the new G 450 d and G 550, the limited edition features the same striking two-tone exterior as NIGO’s art piece, with the addition of checkered upholstery and black accents on the window frames, alloy wheels, and the bumper guard. With “Past II Future” inscribed on the bumper, this edition reflects a seamless blend of the G-Class’s storied history with its evolving future. Known for founding A Bathing Ape (Bape) in 1993 and his current role as the creative director of Kenzo, NIGO has long been a pioneer at the intersection of style and culture. His work with Mercedes-Benz and Moncler is a natural continuation of this trend, showing what collaboration between industries can look like. Bettina Fetzer, Vice President of Communications & Marketing at Mercedes-Benz AG, summed it up: “NIGO's immense creative talent and our co-creation with Moncler are taking us into an exciting urban setting. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class Past II Future is a fresh take on 90s style and the character that’s made the G-Class a timeless favorite. Going from inspiring art to engaging products marks an important step in our creative cooperation and offers a new brand experience captured by the zeitgeist.” A Nostalgic Interior with a Modern Sound ExperienceCollaborating with G-Class enthusiast and renowned audio designer Devon Turnbull, Mercedes-Benz and Moncler have transformed the interior with a sound system that adds both functionality and flair. Turnbull, known for his immersive audio installations, has seamlessly integrated his signature “boom boxes” into the vehicle’s convertible top linkage. These detachable speakers, along with the removable roof, offer a dynamic, flexible experience, allowing users to enjoy high-quality sound in a truly open-air setting. This feature gives the vehicle a unique blend of utility and entertainment, further enhancing its urban appeal. The interior also features checkered seat upholstery, a direct homage to the early G-Class models. This nod to the past is accentuated by orange and gold accents, which not only provide vibrant contrasts but also echo the collaborative fashion collection by Mercedes-Benz, Moncler, and NIGO. NIGO’s creative direction plays a key role in shaping the interior design. He draws from the 90s, a decade he regards as culturally transformative, when electronic music and hip-hop defined a new urban character. Speaking about his design approach, NIGO explained: “For me, the 90s were among the most influential decades from a cultural and creative standpoint. Electronic music and the hip-hop scene arose as a new expression of urban character. I wanted to integrate that vibe and energy into the design of the Project G-Class Past II Future by interpreting that legacy for a new contemporary era.” Beyond the vibrant details, the interior also features exclusive branding. The Past II Future logo is prominently displayed on the grab handle, while the center console features a “1 of 20” badge. NIGO’s Capsule Collection Brings Vintage Outdoor Aesthetics NIGO, known for his eclectic and forward-thinking designs, has crafted a gender-neutral capsule collection that combines the rugged nostalgia of 90s hiking and camping wear with modern, urban influences. After its debut at the City of Genius show, the collection will be refined and made available for purchase in April 2025. Drawing inspiration from Moncler’s rich history of outdoor exploration, the collection includes key items like field jackets, parkas, windbreakers, Bermuda shorts, and checkered shirts. With materials such as raw denim and lightweight down, the pieces are both functional and fashionable. The classic color palette—dominated by blue, black, green, and white—is enhanced by bold orange accents, which tie the clothing back to the collaborative project’s overall aesthetic. A standout feature of the collection is the use of elaborate prints that incorporate archival photos from both Mercedes-Benz and Moncler, visually blending the history of the two brands. These intricate prints, found on jackets and other garments, serve as a creative nod to the collaboration’s roots, offering wearers a unique way to carry the heritage of both companies into their everyday wardrobes. NIGO’s design philosophy is centered on giving wearers the freedom to interpret each piece in their own way. “The pieces are designed to allow the wearer to interpret it in their own way, so they can project their personal style and identity. It’s about giving people the freedom to express who they are through the collection, rather than dictating a specific feeling,” NIGO explained. As someone who has worked with industry icons like Pharrell Williams and the late Virgil Abloh, NIGO views partnerships as opportunities for creative growth. Reflecting on this collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and Moncler, he said: “Collaborations are incredibly important [to my work]. They allow a chance for creative growth and exploration, which [nowadays] can be rare. This one was a chance to step outside my usual boundaries, to experiment with a different side of myself.” A Rare Edition of the G-Class Breaking from tradition, the Past II Future G-Class is offered in two powerful, yet distinctly different variants: the gas-powered G 550 and the diesel-powered G 450 d. This choice marks a deliberate departure from the more performance-focused AMG-spec G63. The G 550 features a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid engine, delivering 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the G 450 d comes equipped with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six, producing 362 horsepower and a substantial 553 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes-Benz has limited production of the Past II Future G-Class to just 20 units worldwide, making it a rare gem for collectors and enthusiasts. In addition to the G 550 and G 450 d options, collectors will also have the opportunity to choose a variant based on the G 500, providing another layer of customization for this limited run. Although the pricing for these limited editions has yet to be revealed, their rarity and the unique nature of the collaboration suggest that they will likely command a premium. Deliveries are slated to begin in April 2025, coinciding with the launch of the Past II Future capsule fashion collection. Source: Mercedes-Benz
