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During its last generation, the Mercedes G-Class gained a more hardcore 4x4 Squared variant. There's good news for off-road enthusiasts because spy shots sent to us last month confirmed the Mercedes G-Class 4x4 Squared is making a comeback. Now, our spies have caught Mercedes testing the new 4X4 Squared at the Nurburgring, which isn't the off-roader's natural habitat. Finished in white, the prototype is barely camouflaged. Mercedes has attempted to disguise the sides, but you can't hide those massive wheel arches that indicate this isn't a standard G-Class.

Integrated side steps also provide easier access to the cabin, while portal axles increase the off-roader's already-impressive ground clearance.

Elsewhere, the new 4x4 Squared sports beefier brakes with drilled brake discs. When we last spied the new G-Class 4x4 Squared on the Austrian Alps, the roof rack was missing but has now been added to the new prototype. There's also a section in front of the roof rack covered up in camouflage that is likely disguising some LED light bars.

The black prototype featured the same camouflaged section without the roof rack fitted, so the LED light bars appear to be optional even if you don't opt for a roof rack. At the back, there's a rear mounted spare wheel and a ladder to access the roof rack.

Powering this beast will be a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. In the previous 4x4 Squared, this unit produced 416 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, but we're hoping AMG will launch a more powerful variant. Judging from the grille, this appears to be a Mercedes-Benz-badged model (as opposed to AMG). Since the prototype is barely camouflaged, an official debut can't be too far away so we could see the new 4x4 Squared break cover by the end of the year. Expect it to command a premium price over the regular G-Class G500, which starts at $130,900.