Common sense dictates that you don’t mess with a good thing, at least not on the surface, anyway. Mercedes’ new 2019 G-Class builds on the success of its predecessor while forging a path to the future.

At first glance, the new G-Wagen might not seem all that different than the old one. It retains its recognizable box-it-came-in shape, a smart move by Mercedes since the truck is immediately recognizable as a status symbol in the hills of Hollywood. According to Mercedes, the enhanced design of their new G-Class remains true to the character of the original while following the philosophy of ‘Sensual Purity’ which just sounds like a posthumous Michael Jackson album.

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Still, you’d better believe that the cognoscenti from Beverly Hills to London to Moscow will recognize the new G’s subtle exterior differences immediately. In the status game, every little change gets noticed. Benz has done a good job of updating the G but keeping it instantly recognizable.

While the exterior maintains its classic appearance, the interior of the G-Class has undergone a fundamental modern redesign aping that of Mercedes’ swankiest S-Class sedans. It is said to reinterpret the genes of the classic G to reflect the exterior. Without naming specifics, the new G-Class also has larger dimensions, benefitting the driver and all passengers. The old G was notably narrow, so the new one should no longer feel like a driving a $222,000 straitjacket.

The expansive dashboard features twin screens spanning over half of the vehicle. Directly ahead of the driver is a reconfigurable screen with gauges n the visage of its S-Class brother, while an equally large infotainment screen is placed dead-center between the driver and passenger.

South of that screen are controls and HVAC vents which would look at home in any of Mercedes’ swank sedans, save for the trio of diff-lock switches. A grab handle remains ahead of the passenger in case the G’s pilot decides to test out the truck’s ability to handle a 35-degree pitch.

Under the hood, the G 550 will feature high-performance 4.0-liter V8 gasoline engine. The biturbo mill produces 416 horsepower and a maximum torque of 450 lb-ft, available from 2,000 to 4,750 rpm. This is carried over from the previous model. Down the road, expect to see a couple of high-po AMG versions, hopefully including one stuffed full of that new V12 the company is developing. The V8 will be hooked to the company’s 9G-TRONIC automatic.

More than a status symbol, the new G builds on its legendary off-road capability, even if most of its owners will only subject it to that terrible patch of gravel at the mall. Ground clearance between the axles has been increased to 9.5 inches, while maximum fording depth has jumped to a remarkable 2.3 feet. Angles of approach, breakover, and departure are 31 degrees, 26 degrees, and 30 degrees respectively.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class will be celebrating its world premiere at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and will go on sale in the U.S. by late 2018.