While German-based and Mercedes-focused aftermarket company Lumma might not be a household name among casual auto enthusiasts (compared to, say, Brabus or Mansory), they’ve occupied a specific niche in the market for decades now that’s of a decidedly different nature than their competition. While providing parts and custom touches for the “Big Three” German automakers, they also offer the same for Jaguar, Land Rover, and Porsche, too. But today, just like most days, we’re going to be talking about what they can do to a G Wagon.
Here’s the breakdown; generally, with a very exclusive tuner such as Brabus or (especially) Mansory, you can expect to have every detail of an order bespoke to your liking. You’re looking at extensive custom upholstery and leather work, completely overhauled engines, and significant chassis modifications. This is all well and dandy, but generally tacks on several hundred thousand dollars over the base price of the donor vehicle. Or, perhaps you enjoy the styling from the factory, and don’t want a drastic change – just some relatively subtle enhancements. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a solution in between bone-stock, and having your entire car rebuilt? Well, this is where Lumma comes in, and their spin on the iconic Mercedes G Wagon should fit the bill perfectly.
In their own words, Lumma offers a vast array of parts and customization solutions for the G Class without “changing the basic form or limiting its suitability for everyday use.” What this translates to is a generally more street-focused G Wagon that still retains more than enough capability for a cruise down the beach or a quick jaunt down a forest road for a night of camping. While Lumma offers owners the flexibility of ordering their upgrades a-la-carte, they also provide a full-vehicle renovation, too. One such SUV is the Lumma CLR G770 R – try saying that three times fast.
The CLR G770 R
First things first – all of the talk above about practicality and some degree of moderation with the Lumma cars is not at all meant to undersell this vehicle. From an aesthetic and fit-and-finish point of view, it sits head and shoulders above anything coming out of the production Mercedes factory. There are generally three big things you’ll notice when walking around a CLR G770 R, and a bunch of littler things. The huge hood scoop with shark nose intakes is impossible to miss, and adds almost a muscle-car look to this German SUV. The large diffuser hanging down beneath the grille compliments the performance-inspired look, and is mirrored by a large Lumma diffuser on the rear of the car. Also notable are the custom Lumma wheels, which are usually finished in black with an aggressive redline trim; this colorway is carried up through the rub panels, the grille shell, and even into the interior. The spare tire cover is retained, unlike on some other G Class customizations, but the factory item is replaced by a custom Lumma piece, with their classy cursive logo.
The G770 R wears performance street tires that are offered in sizes up to 24 inches, so it’s worth considering how much off-road driving you’ll be doing and taking that into consideration when selecting wheels. 23” and 24” tires are getting might thin for all but the most recently-graded of dirt roads. That said, this choice in tires is consistent with the design intent and intended use-cases of the G770 R. Proprietary wheel spacers also increase the width of the stance, and help fill out the enlarged fender flares to add to the illusion of an aggressive stance.
On the inside, these Lumma G Wagons receive custom, branded floor and trunk mats, and a custom pedal set. Other than this, you can order a wide array of additional customizations from Lumma Parts Direct. The G770 R kits are available for the G 63, 350, 400, and 500 and start at just a hair over $21,000, which is quite the value for such an exclusive and uncommon vehicle.
The Value Proposition
While the CLR G770 R looks fantastic, perhaps it’s still not enough for you. Or, perhaps you might want to piece together your own package of enhancement to suit your exact preferences. In fact, they were selling parts for the G Wagon before the G770 even hit the market. Nearly every external trim piece is available in a beautiful carbon fiber finish – headlight surrounds, mirrors, door handles, C pillar trim, wheel wells – you name it.
Lumma also makes all manner of custom wheels, LED lighting solutions, and bespoke interior parts. Want a spoiler for your G Wagon? No problem, either. There’s far too much to cover in the scope of the article, but know that Lumma can provide you with a custom parts package to truly personalize your ride the exact way that you want.
The Value Proposition
Given the extreme rarity in the United States of anything Lumma and the tremendous value proposition offered by the CLR G770 R package, it’s safe to say Lumma doesn’t get the credit they deserve on this side of the pond. One thing’s for sure; any vehicle sporting the flowing Lumma logo on the hood and on the trunk will surely grab the attention of any serious German enthusiast at the next Cars & Coffee.
