At The City of Genius show in Shanghai, Mercedes-Benz and Moncler took a bold leap forward in their collaboration alongside the launch of the brand campaign Past Forward. Where the Future is Driven by the Past, the partners unveiled a one-off art piece, Project G-Class Past II Future, inspired by NIGO. It’s based on a G-Class from the 90s that was completely restored. NIGO reworked numerous design elements inside and out to revive the design and bring it into the cultural landscape of the present.
The G-Class Past II Future is not just an art installation—it’s a new limited-edition G-Class model inspired by the art piece, with only 20 cars available. At the show, the audience also got a sneak peek at Moncler’s new collection of urban, gender-neutral fashion co-designed by Mercedes-Benz, Moncler, and NIGO. Both the limited-edition G-Class and the capsule collection are set to launch in April 2025.
The Shanghai event also featured collaborations from several other artists with Moncler: A$AP Rocky and Willow Smith, Edward Enninful (OBE), FRGMT by Hiroshi Fujiwara, Gilga Farm by Donald Glover, LuLu Li and Palm Angels. In addition to the Moncler Genius 2024 lineup, special showcases were presented by Rick Owens and Jil Sander.
“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 very special new ‘twist’ on our icon. This limited edition 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.”
– Bettina Fetzer, Vice President of Communications & Marketing Mercedes-Benz AG
Art Piece Project: G-Class Past II Future inspired by NIGO
NIGO’s creation is the second art piece to emerge from the collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Moncler. Like the PROJECT MONDO G, launched at Moncler’s The Art of Genius show in London in February 2023, this art piece merges the distinctively quilted aesthetic of the Moncler puffer jacket with the unmistakable edginess of the G-Class.
Measuring 14.76 feet in length, 6.23 feet in width, and 6.56 feet in height, the art piece features a minimalistic, matte two-tone contemporary color palette in olive green and grey, which is offset by striking exterior accents in black and gold. The sleek lines of the classic G-Class cabriolet give it a contemporary attitude, while the hallmark G-Class functionality and design elements are preserved and reimagined for today. These include the iconic spare wheel mounted on the rear tailgate, black steel wheels in 90s design, a foldable windscreen, and a gold-colored fuel can.
The interior has also been transformed. Among other elements, G-Class enthusiast Devon Turnbull – known for his immersive audio installations – has designed a sound system that seamlessly integrates with the vehicle’s concept, technically and visually. Music “boom boxes” are mounted on the convertible top linkage and – like the entire roof and the speakers – can be removed. Checkered seat upholstery pays homage to design elements from earlier G-Class models. Accents in orange and gold create a visual connection to the collaborative fashion collection by Mercedes-Benz, Moncler, and NIGO.
“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.”
– Fashion designer, music producer and creative director, NIGO
Limited Edition Mercedes-Benz G-Class Past II Future
Both the limited-edition G-Class and the capsule collection represent the first products available for purchase from this exciting collaboration. Celebrating the 45th anniversary of the G-Class, this new edition underscores the timeless nature of this iconic vehicle and its ability to adapt to contemporary lifestyles.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class Past II Future references NIGO’s one-off art piece based on the new G 450 d and the new G 550. With its two-tone exterior paintwork in green and grey, the model features classic checkered upholstery and a rear-mounted spare wheel with the collaboration logo on its cover.
Black exterior accents include the window frames, light metal alloy wheels, and the signature bumper guard that spans the full length of the vehicle, showcasing the “Past II Future” lettering. In the interior, this branding can be found on the grab handle, while the center console displays the vehicle’s “1 of 20” limited series number. The 20 cars will be delivered to customers globally in April 2025.
