The Evolution of the EMC 250GD G-Wagon: From V1 to V6

Enjoy a photo gallery comparison of each generation at the end of this article.

Since 2017, Expedition Motor Company has focused exclusively on one platform: the Mercedes-Benz 250GD cabrio G-Wagon. That singular focus has allowed us to treat each build as a reference point for the next. Our guiding philosophy has remained consistent from the beginning: restore the 250GD to collector-grade standards while refining it for modern-day use, without compromising its analog charm or purpose-built nature. Over time, the execution of that philosophy has changed significantly. What began as our early V1 builds has steadily developed into the current V6 generation, with each step adding more engineering and more attention to the details that shape the driving experience.

One Model, Many Generations

We do not view the EMC G-Wagon as a fixed product but as a long-term program. Each generation, V1 through V6, represents a stage in that program rather than a simple model-year change. Early trucks established the baseline of a frame-off restoration and saw the vehicle's returned to their authentic original condition with tailored changes such as exterior color and interior color. As time went on, we began to refine the platform in structured ways. Ride, braking, NVH, and interior usability were examined as systems rather than isolated components. Today, a V6 build represents tens of thousands of hours of accumulated learning applied to a single model. The man-hours per build have grown accordingly; each of our current V6 Wolfs require over 2,500 hours of in-house work from start to finish.

Engine Development and Drivetrain Options

Powertrain choices have been one of the most visible areas of evolution. The original 250GD Wolf was powered by the naturally aspirated OM602 diesel, an engine known for its reliability and longevity. Over time, we introduced additional engine options to expand what the platform could achieve while remaining true to its character. The OM605a and OM606a turbodiesels provide increased power and refinement, giving the Wolf the ability to cruise comfortably at highway speeds while retaining a period-correct Mercedes-Benz diesel. For those who prefer gasoline, we developed a program around the LS3 V8, our most powerful engine, chosen for its reliability, pedigree, and excellent parts availability.

Integrating these engines into the 250GD chassis required extensive research and development. Mounting, driveline geometry, cooling demands, and control systems all needed to be engineered so that the finished vehicle felt cohesive, not like an "engine swap." The objective was to make each option feel as if it could have been a factory configuration. That work has been refined over multiple generations and is a core part of what defines the V6 program.

Suspension, Ride, and Chassis Calibration

Chassis development has followed a similar path. The original Wolf suspension was designed for military and emergency use, with priorities that do not align with modern expectations for comfort and control. Over the years, we have gone through hundreds of suspension combinations, testing different springs, dampers, and bushing configurations to find packages that significantly improve road manners. Today’s V6 builds offer two proprietary suspension options: a standard setup and a reservoir system, both built around components from Bilstein, Eibach, Fox, and our own in-house hardware.

The result is a 250GD that has vintage character but with better control, compliance, comfort, and performance.

Sound, Cooling, and Cabin Refinement

The 250GD Wolf (2-door G-Wagon) was originally designed as a tool for armed forces and emergency services. As our program has evolved, we devoted more attention to the acoustic side of the experience. V6 builds receive enhanced sound proofing throughout the cabin, including strategic treatment of the floor, firewall, doors, and engine bay. The goal is not to isolate the driver completely, the Wolf should still feel mechanical, but to remove harshness and fatigue over time.

Cooling has been another area of focused development, especially for the upgraded engines. For our turbodiesel and LS3 builds, we designed proprietary cooling systems tailored to the 250GD chassis. Radiator sizing, airflow management, shrouding, and auxiliary cooling components are all specified to handle increased power and the demands of mixed driving in varied climates. Heat and air management inside the cabin are also addressed; modern HVAC units are integrated carefully so that defrost, heating, and air conditioning work reliably without intrusive packaging.

Interior and Aesthetic Development

Interior design has changed steadily across the generations while keeping the core aesthetic anchored in the 1990s G-Wagon. Early builds proved that simple, weatherproof materials worked well for an open-top Wolf. With each generation, we refined items such as seat configuration, seat material, gauge clusters, accent trim, and overall ergonomics to improve comfort and durability without losing the vintage charm. In the current V6 trucks, wireless Apple CarPlay is integrated into a redesigned central dash structure; internal dash components are re-engineered and 3D printed to house both the touchscreen and a Vintage Air Gen V HVAC unit in a way that feels intentional rather than add-on. Heated seats, a Harman premium sound system, and USB/USB-C charging ports front and rear are standard features, but they are placed discreetly so the cabin still reads as a functional space rather than a luxury retrofit.

Aesthetics outside and in have evolved as well. We have developed a wider range of wheel and tire packages, from vintage-style aluminum wheels to combinations optimized for mixed-use driving. Accessories such as Warn winches, in-house bullbars, running-board side steps, and enhanced bucket seats have been introduced and refined, always with the aim of complementing the underlying vehicle rather than obscuring it. Color palettes, soft-top fabrics, and interior tones have also expanded.

V6: The Current State of the EMC Wolf

The V6 generation represents the current state of our work on the Mercedes-Benz 250GD, a synthesis of everything learned since 2017 applied to a single truck. The structure is still that of a 250GD, and the philosophy is unchanged: restore to a very high standard, refine for modern use, and preserve the analog, purpose-built nature. What has changed is the depth of the engineering and the amount of time invested. Over 2,500 man-hours per build now go into disassembly, metalwork, mechanicals, electrical systems, interior development, calibration, and testing.

We do not present V6 as a final version; it is simply the latest chapter in an ongoing program focused on one model of vintage Mercedes G-Wagon. Each completed build informs the next.