Mercedes envisions G Wagon for 2025

The Gelandewagen (G Wagon) is not exactly a very popular sales model for the star in a circle badged German brand, but thanks to its cult status of sorts, it is one of the few models in the automotive industry that has stood the test of time.

According to a new design study for a Los Angeles Design Challenge 2012 from Mercedes-Benz, the G Wagon will continue and evolve till 2025.

By 2025 (6 years after the events of the hit sci-fi film Blade Runner) law enforcement will face a larger car population and a society where outdoor activities will play a larger role on the leisure time of people.

To counter this, future police vehicles must be able to arrvie at their destination not only quickly but also in an environmentally friendly vehicle which utilises alternative energy sources. Enhanced green car characteristics and off-road capabilities will be among the fundamental virtues of a police car in 2025 in Mercedes world at least.

Introducing the Ener-G-Force, which Mercedes-Benz claims meets all requirements of a future law enforcement vehicle. The minimal glass surfaces, cocoons the law enforcement officers from danger with emergency lights integrated onto the roof. The face exudes dominance with gigantic wheels that demands the right of way perhaps even on road pavements and off-road.

Gorden Wagener, Director of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars explains more, "The Ener-G-Force is the vision of an off-roader that, while reflecting tomorrow's adventures, also invokes the genes of the Mercedes-Benz off-road icon, the G model. Modern and cool, it could also be a clue about a new beginning for the off-road design idiom of Mercedes-Benz."

The civilian version of the Ener-G-Force is no doubt derived from its law enforcement counterpart and carries similar design characteristics to the G Wagon with an expressive radiator grille that incorporates the G-shaped LED headlamps. The front indicators and position lights are mounted on top of the wings - a trademark for the G Wagon. The large 20-inch wheels provides a powerful tall stance.

The Ener-G-Force has learnt some new tricks too. It stores recycled water in tanks on the roof which is then transferred to the 'hydro-tech converter'. After some high tech wizardry, natural and renewable resources are converted into hydrogen for operating the fuel cells. The storage units for the generated electricity are housed in the side skirts.

A roof mounted topography scanner scans the surroundings and adjusts the ride settings including the suspension for maximum traction. The side skirts house either the energy storage units or hot-swappable battery packs. The Ener-G-Force emits water and has an operating range of about 800km.