Mahindra Boleros & Force Gurkhas modified into Mercedes G-Wagens: 5 BEAUTIFUL examples

The Mercedes G-Class is the SUV of choice for many of the world’s rich and famous people. The SUV, which was recently launched in its new guise in India has retained the boxy looks of the original civilian Gelandewagen from the 1970s.

Unfortunately, the G-Wagen’s price matches the amount of bling usually associated with its owners, which ensures that it isn’t a common sight on Indian roads. Thankfully, this hasn’t stopped many Force Gurkha and Mahindra Bolero owners from modifying their SUVs to look like the legendary Gelandewagen. In this post, we take a look at five examples G-Wagen replicas from India.

Force Gurkha – Mercedes G-Wagen conversion 1

This Gurkha to G-Wagen transformation is the work of a Kerala-based customization house. The front end of the Gurkha sports the G-Wagen’s bumper, bonnet and headlamps. The fenders too are from the Merc SUV. The roof of the Gurkha has been flattened out and the wheel arches moulded to make them look like the ones found on the German SUV.

The rear end of the converted Gurkha sports a new bumper and LED lights. However, the side view is what gives this away as a pretend G-Wagen as the converted Force Motors SUV gets a three window design unlike the stretched two window setup on the Merc. The G-Wagen replica is powered by a 2.6-litre turbo diesel engine with 85 Bhp and 230 Nm of torque on tap.

Force Gurkha – Mercedes G-Wagen conversion 2

This is another Gurkha to G-Class transformation from Kerala. This conversion is said to have cost around Rs 6.5 lakhs. Changes include a 3-slat grille and different wheels

While the Force Gurkha is basically inspired by the G-Wagen, the only thing in common between the Merc and the Mahindra Bolero is the boxy shape of both vehicles. This has inspired quite a few Bolero owners to trick out their Mahindra SUVs into G-Class lookalikes. Here are three of them.

Mahindra Bolero – Mercedes G-Wagen conversion 1

This Bolero to G-Wagen conversion is the work of R&T Auto Catalyst from Manganam, Kerala. The Bolero’s bonnet, front grille, bumper and headlights have been replaced with units that help it look somewhat similar to the German SUV.

The sides feature sideboards similar to ones on the G-Wagen and the wheel arches have been flared out as well. The rear end features the tail lamps from the G-Class, while the wheels themselves look to be units from Merc. This converted Bolero retains the Mahindra’s engine.

Mahindra Bolero – Mercedes G-Wagen conversion 2

This Bolero to Gelandewagen conversion was done by Coimbatore’s Jeep Studio. The modified Bolero gets new projector headlamps, LED DRLs, a new front bumper and a bonnet to help it try and look like the legendary G-Wagen. The front and rear tracks have been modified to match the ones on the G-Class.

The alloy wheels on this converted G-Wagen get merc badges, while the ORVMs have been taken from the German SUV. This G-Wagen conversion retains the 63 Bhp 2.5-litre diesel engine from the Mahindra SUV. The total cost of this conversion – Rs. 7.35 lakh.

Mahindra Bolero – Mercedes G-Wagen conversion 3

The final Bolero to G-Class conversion hails from the nation’s capital – Delhi. The front end looks similar to the on the G-Class thanks to the usage of the German SUV’s grille, lights and LED DRLs. The Bolero also gets turn indicators mounted on its bonnet as well and also sports side-mounted exhausts.

The rear end though isn’t the same as the G-Class though it does sport the Gelandewagen’s tail lamps. However, the taillights have been mounted vertically instead of horizontally. This converted G-Class has also retained the Bolero’s powerplant.

Source – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5