Do you remember that scene in Jurassic Park when John Hammond shows off the mosquito encased in amber? Well, Mercedes has done the same for this year’s North American International Auto Show except instead of a mosquito, they’ve encases an entire 1979 G-Class SUV. Okay, then.

Using the tagline “Stronger than Time,” Mercedes will debut their new G-Class alongside what they bill as the world’s biggest installation of synthetic resin in the world, weighing in at 44.4 tons. Yes, tons. We hope the maintenance crew at Cobo Hall put some reinforcement in the building’s floor.

“The amber cube puts the uniqueness of the G-Class in a nutshell,” says Dr Gunnar Güthenke, Head of the Off-Road Vehicle product unit at Mercedes-Benz. “Our cult off-road vehicle has been continuously evolving for nearly 40 years – without losing its character or its core values. Its DNA is stronger than time and then any fashion trend. The cube expresses this to stunning effect and thus embodies the objective for advancing the G-Class.”

We have to hand it to ya, Mercedes – you sure know how to introduce a vehicle. By the way, 44.4 tons of amber takes 90 days to cast. Be sure to toss out that stat to impress your friends the next time you’re at the pub.

A huge cube is actually very appropriate, as it mirrors the overall shape of the G-Class since its introduction in 1979. Merc didn’t mess with the G-Wagen’s styling, as it’s square-jawed physique has made it an instantly recognizable status symbol in Hollywood. However, it also needs to retain its level of off-road prowess if it wishes to retain its image as much more than a mall-buster, so the company has made sure it’s cred is G worthy.

Ground clearance between the axles has been increased to 9.5 inches. Feel free to take on water crossings up to a depth of 2.3 feet. Angles of approach, breakover, and departure are 31 degrees, 26 degrees, and 30 degrees respectively, and the G promises driving stability at angles up to a remarkable 35 degrees. Engines remain a mystery for now but the luxury brand has confirmed the new G will be equipped with the 9G-TRONIC automatic.

The giant amber cube (those were words I did not think I would be typing today) does make a point: like a long-lost relative with whom you share some DNA, the new G-Class retains some of the genetic material from the original G. It is, after all, the longest-lived model series in the Mercedes lineup.

Just be sure to watch out for a T-Rex if you visit the Mercedes display next week in Detroit.