The German automaker Mercedes has chosen to “fossilize” a 1979 280 GE by suspending it nose down in a 44.4 ton block of amber-colored synthetic resin. The striking display will adorn the entrance of Cobo Hall, greeting all visitors to this year’s show.
source: daimler /image: Mercedes-Benz USA
The amber cube puts the uniqueness of the G-Class in a nutshell”, says Dr Gunnar Güthenke, Head of the Off-Road Vehicle product unit at Mercedes-Benz. Our cult off-road vehicle has been continuously evolving for nearly 40 years – without losing its character or its core values.
source: daimler /image: Mercedes-Benz USA
Its DNA is stronger than time and than any fashion trend. The cube expresses this to stunning effect and thus embodies the objective for advancing the G‑Class.
Advertisement
The 280 GE from 1979 is enclosed in the square block in a dynamic position. It gives the impression that it has been engulfed by synthetic resin mid-stream when driving off-road, in its natural habitat, and captured – as insects were by amber millions of years ago.
The square block is 5.50 metres long, 2.55 metres wide and 3.10 metres high. It took 90 days to make from 44.4 tonnes of synthetic resin. Every day the block grew by around three centimetres in height. Following the car show in Detroit the cuboid will also be on display in other markets with the new G‑Class market launch.
