Maison Mistral Narrow Design

Mercedes-AMG G63

Mercedes-Benz G350

The finished product is a testament to the artist’s insatiable desire for research.

Tracing the history of the G-Class and studying the specifications of each era, the result was a complete car by Maison Mistral Narrow Design (MMND). The blacked-out steel grille and the narrow, tapered shape from the pentagonal headlight shrouds create a somewhat endearing face reminiscent of the W460 (W461). However, the base is the W463. Creating this design required major improvements to everything from the headlights to the fenders and front and rear bumpers, but the result is that “while the exterior is that of a W460 from about 40 years ago, the internal mechanisms are modern.”

No matter how old-fashioned the appearance may be, MMND’s stance is to constantly continue research and development of the mechanisms contained within. These two cars exhibited at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon were a clear indication of their tireless research spirit. The white car is the G350 BlueTEC Edition Zebra, and the desert sand car is the AMG G63 Exclusive Edition.

When MMND was first established, it was difficult to recreate the W460-era look using genuine Mercedes parts for AMG models and the final W463 models, the G350d and G550, due to factors such as the radiator shape and overfenders. MMND therefore produced original brackets for turn signals, door mirror brackets, and door mirror brackets with electrically adjustable angles, as well as original reproductions of the pentagonal headlight shrouds and front grille. This is called Version 2.

Then there’s the AMG G63. This is the AMG G63 Exclusive Edition, which is equipped with a 5.5-liter V8 engine that produces 571 PS and 760 Nm of torque. Naturally, the engine is huge and generates a lot of heat, so compared to non-AMG models, the cooling components are installed in a more thorough manner. If the car had a traditional look, there would be nowhere for that heat to go.

Amazing as if it had been restomodded

To address this, MMND carried out extensive relocation of cooling components. The oil cooler located in the middle of the bumper was moved under the underguard, and the sub-radiators attached to the left and right sides of the bumper were moved, one in front of the transmission and the other next to the rear differential. By combining these work with parts from Version 2, the car was given a completely different look, as you can see here: a W460. It is said that the skills of Japanese racing engineers were put to good use in these efforts. In that sense, it is fair to say that it is racing car technology that has made this adorable face possible.

There are other ingenious ideas as well. The AMG G63 has fatter tire widths, with over 20 inches being the default. The larger diameter is also to avoid the AMG calipers. So MMND has developed a new wheel, the BLS18 (9.0J x 18 inches), in addition to the original BLS16 (7.0J x 16 inches) that was developed when the company was first established. Still, to maintain a classic atmosphere, the wheels have been kept at 18 inches, and the way they cleverly avoid the AMG calipers shows off their sense and technology. To meet load-bearing capacity and obtain the strength to fully handle the power output of the AMG G63, the wheels are produced using the most advanced forging methods.

Now that we know about these innovations, let’s take a look at the two cars again. Compared to the original W460, there are subtle differences in the tire size and fender dimensions. This is by no means a negative thing, and it gives the impression of a beautifully restomod version of something from that time. However, in reality, it is not a restomod, but a return-to-the-roots model using a later model G-Class. The mechanisms, safety equipment, and interior customization are all modern. In other words, you can enjoy a classic atmosphere without having to make any sacrifices, and this is the pinnacle of learning from the past to create something new.

REPORT/Daichi NAKAMIGAWA

PHOTO/Keigo YAMAMOTO

MAGAZINE/ GENROQ April 2025 issue

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Maison Mistral Narrow Design

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https://maison.mistral-co.jp

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