Long the preferred choice of Russian gangsters, hip-hop moguls and off-roading one-percenters, the Mercedes G-Class SUV has been an icon since it launched in the 1970s. Despite its undeniably cool looks, it still largely drove like a 1970s car thanks to modest upgrades over the decades. No more. The G-Class is basically all-new for 2019, and now we have official pics ahead of the Detroit Auto Show.

Early shots are coming to us from European website and other sources. The good news: it’s still a G-Class. Mercedes didn’t mess with the looks or turn into a soft-roader fit only for mall parking lots. It’s still unapologetically boxy. They didn’t ruin the icon.

The other good news: while the looks stay intact, from what we understand everything else on the G-Class has been made better and more modern. It uses some structural elements from its predecessor but enough changes have been made that it’s being considered an all-new vehicle.

Mercedes says the new SUV boasts improvements like a new independent suspension with double-wishbone front axle, a new nine-speed automatic gearbox, a new transfer case and a bunch of other tweaks to make it a more effective off-road vehicle. The car is also wider than before and with a 34 percent stiffer frame.

Then, of course, there’s the fact that it looks far nicer on the inside now, and more in-line with the rest of the modern Benz lineup while keeping some off-roading character.

I feel like between this, the new Jeep Wrangler and the new Land Rover Defender said to be on the way this year, those of us who enjoy old-school wheeling have some things to look forward to.

We’ll see more of the new G-Wagen at the Detroit Auto Show in two weeks.