A viral image of a facelifted Mercedes-Benz G-Class sent shockwaves through the automotive world last week—only for fans to find out it was nothing more than an April Fools’ prank. Still, the controversy it stirred was very real.
The render, created by digital car artist Kelsonik (real name Nikita Chuicko), exploded across social media platforms. Known for his hyper-realistic depictions of unreleased vehicles, often based on spy shots and CGI magic, Kelsonik’s latest creation was so convincing that many mistook it for an official preview of the next-gen G-Class.
Swapping Circles for Stars? Fans Say, “Hard Pass”
What really set off longtime G-Wagen loyalists was the headlight design. Gone were the iconic round lamps synonymous with the G-Class. In their place? Sharp, triangular LED lights shaped like the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star are on both the front and rear. Mercedes has been experimenting with this look in newer models like the E-Class and CLA, but the switch felt like a betrayal for the rugged, military-born G-Class.
Even the taillights got the star treatment, further fueling the backlash. Online comments poured in: “Even toys don’t look like that,” “If this is real, Mercedes is finished,” and “No reason to buy a G-Wagen anymore.” The message was loud and clear—messing with the G-Class’s time-tested design is no joke to its die-hard fans.
To add to the confusion, the timing didn’t help. Mercedes just released the current G-Class (W465) in 2024, including a new electric variant, the G 580 EQ. A major facelift would’ve been highly unusual just one year later, making the prank all the more believable.
More Than Just a Joke: A Wake-Up Call for Mercedes-Benz Design?
This incident was just an April Fool’s Day incident, but it clearly shows how much consumers’ dissatisfaction with Mercedes-Benz’s design has accumulated. In recent years, Mercedes-Benz has emphasized its brand identity by obsessively inserting three-pointed stars into various parts of its vehicles. As a result, it has been criticized for its uniformity rather than originality in design.
The G-Class is the most iconic and historic model in the Mercedes lineup. It has been consistently loved for its traditional boxy silhouette, circular lamps, and straight-line-centered design. However, the fact that the impression of the G-Class can change significantly with just one change in lamps, as in this rendering, is not something that the brand can take lightly.
Some analysts suggest that so many people believed the fake render because of Mercedes’ recent unpredictability in design decisions. With brand loyalty showing signs of strain, this might be a wake-up call for the automaker to rethink how far it’s willing to push the envelope—especially with an icon like the G-Class.
Because if the day ever comes when the G-Wagen does get triangular star-shaped lights, the internet might not forgive it so easily.
