The Mercedes-Benz x Moncler by NIGO collaboration presents the art piece Project Mercedes-Benz G-Class Past II Future

There aren’t many cars these days that become legends. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of them; and a new iteration has just been launched

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It’s an interesting eccentricity in the world of collectors and the wealthy, that perfection is sometimes undesirable. The perfect timepiece, that tells the time more accurately than any Patek Philippe, is a cheap digital watch. The perfect car, while not yet invented, is probably electric, efficient, seats seven, is self-driving and self-cleaning; and costs a tiny fraction of the price of a limited-edition, inefficient, two-seater, impractical supercar.

‘It will plough through mudslides that would deter most normal cars’

Which takes us to the Mercedes-Benz G Class, which has achieved legendary status among a stratum of car collectors. On the one hand, the G Class (it stands for Gelandewagen, basically a car that can cross fields) is quite practical. A tall 4×4 SUV, it will plough through mudslides that would deter most normal cars.

But it’s also a development of the theme of a SUV, in the sense that a multi-complication watch is just there to show what can do, not necessarily to do it. Toy-like in appearance, with doors that “thud” shut as if you are closing the metal door of an industrial unit, it plays with themes of machismo and muscle.

‘The G-Class is a universal hero that adapts to change without losing its uniqueness’ – Bettina Felzer

Its ultimate iteration (produced by Mercedes-Benz anyway; there are plenty of companies that will tune yours up for you) is the G63 AMG, with far more power than necessary, a sound like wet stone cellar full of hungry pitbulls, and a striking, almost cartoonish, road presence.

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We visited Shanghai for the launch of this new model, a perfect backdrop of dramatic skyscrapers and go-getting attitude. A car produced by the world’s oldest car manufacturer, and beloved of its newest wealthy economies. It was also dramatically launched with a collaboration with Moncler and Japanese designer NIGO: three design icons together.

‘The G63 AMG, with far more power than necessary’

Or, as Mercedes-Benz VP for digital and communications Bettina Felzer put it to LUX:

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“Our G has evolved from a utility vehicle into a highly sought-after brand ambassador, establishing itself in various cultural fields. Beyond its outstanding technical features, the G-Class is a universal hero that adapts to change without losing its uniqueness. It stays true to its iconic core – timeless yet timely. Following the successful launch of the electric G-Class, we are bridging the timelines of the future and the past in our collaboration with Moncler and NIGO.”

Moncler will be releasing a new fashion collection, designed by Mercedes-Benz and Moncler together with NIGO

From our perspective, it’s just good to know Mercedes-Benz is still creating icons, in an era where others are falling off the radar.

mercedes-benz.com

Hive restaurant is located on the third floor of Selfridges, London

Tomorrow, Hive restaurant officially opens its doors on the third floor of Selfridges with a creative honey-based menu

For thousands of years, honey has been used as a natural sweetener and remedy to help reduce anxiety, calm insomnia, and combat fatigue. Drawing on this multitude of benefits, Khalid Samata, the founder of Selfridges’ newest concept restaurant Hive, has created an innovative menu incorporating different types of honey into an all day-dining menu which includes a cheese and honey afternoon tea and honey-based cocktails such as the Nutty Naughty Bee – a mix of gin, lemon juice, Tonka bitter and chestnut honey. The breakfast menu features decadent dishes such as fig on toast with ricotta and honey, and truffle honey omelette, whilst the lunch and dinner menus focus on fresh, lighter options.

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Hive’s range of honey includes flavours such as acacia, chestnut and buckwheat

The restaurant produces and harvests its own range of flavoured honey from a collection of rooftop hives, and the interiors of the dining room itself have been designed to create a calming, elegant atmosphere with gold detailing and a collection of colourful flower boxes which have been pollinated by the resident bees.

Hive opens on 4 December 2020 on the third floor of Selfridges, London. For more information visit: hiverestaurant.uk