HOTBOX 3 - Lifted G class custom pickup

HOTBOX 3 by Yelkencidesign brings the luxury of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class into the world of American lifted custom pickups. Rooted in off-road character, it is designed around commanding street presence and the experiences that unfold beyond the drive. A Mercedes pickup equally at home with a tailored suit or a day at the beach.

The vision was to preserve the unmistakable identity of the G-Class while giving the transformation the cohesion of a factory design and the individuality of a bespoke coachbuild. This approach is most clearly expressed in profile: an upright cabin, an extended cargo bed and an elevated stance, set on Forgiato Gambe 1 wheels with substantial off-road tires. Bespoke body panels and integrated wide fenders combine planar surfaces, precisely defined angles and tight edge radii. Continuous body lines bring clarity and consistency to the silhouette, while curated single-tone and two-tone exterior combinations offer distinct expressions of personal style.

A custom grille, bespoke headlights and recessed taillights establish a distinctive visual signature. Sculpted ventilation openings define the hood, with a transparent section revealing the carbon-fiber engine cover of the retained AMG twin-turbo V12. Custom metal front and rear bumpers, wide side steps and exposed suspension and drivetrain components reinforce the vehicle’s mechanical presence.

The stainless-steel exhaust system terminates in vertically stacked twin side outlets ahead of the rear wheels. Brushed stainless-steel tips and surrounding metal heat shields integrate the exhaust into the bodywork, giving a functional element a deliberate visual role.

Rear-hinged rear doors open onto a cabin reinterpreted with a newer-generation Mercedes dashboard and center console. Recaro Podium seats in both rows and a roll cage introduce a performance-focused character, balanced by a starlight headliner and soft, premium textile upholstery. The exterior’s architectural strength finds its counterpart in a tactile, inviting interior.

The same upholstery extends into the cargo bed, carrying comfort beyond the cabin. The idea was simple: a couple stretched out beneath the stars, watching a film on a laptop, perhaps with their dog beside them. At the beach or on a grassy hilltop, the vehicle becomes a personal space to spend time together. The bed retains its load-carrying function, while a full-closing upper cover keeps belongings out of sight. A side-hinged tailgate provides access, with a rear-view camera positioned beneath it to assist maneuvering. HOTBOX 3 is as much about enjoying the journey as finding a reason to stay when you arrive.

HOTBOX is a Yelkencidesign series dedicated to custom pickups, off-road vehicles and lifted builds. Beginning with the Land Rover Defender 110 and continuing with the Dodge Fargo, the family shares a design language defined by luxury, ruggedness, planar surfaces and mechanical precision. For its third chapter, I wanted to reinterpret a Mercedes while preserving the distinctive, box-like geometry that connects the series. The G-Class was the natural choice.