The Mercedes-Benz G-Class — the rugged off-road powerhouse that launched in 1979 and has since grow to be a brutalist standing image — has gone electrical. That is, in some ways, Mercedes’ most prestigious automobile, a mannequin extra prized for its presence and exclusivity than its energy and functionality. Going electrical, then, is greater than an historic second for the long-lasting Gelandewagen; it’s the greatest check but for the corporate’s lately scaled again electrification plans.
Mercedes’ strategy to electrifying the distinguished SUV suggests the German automaker understands the stakes. The primary electrical model of the G-Class not solely meets however beats its internally combusted counterparts by way of energy and off-road functionality. What’s stunning is the identify.
Meet the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Expertise. That’s proper, not the EQG, breaking the sample set out by all-electric predecessors just like the EQS, EQE and EQB. Beginning with the G-Class, all new battery electrical Mercedes fashions will match into the corporate’s conventional alphabetic taxonomy.
That’s a major change from a branding standpoint, nevertheless it is smart once you take a look at the factor. The electrical G shares a considerable quantity with its internally combusted predecessors. If Mercedes wished to interrupt that development and combine the EVs into the standard mannequin nomenclature, that is the place.
Nuts and bolts
Picture Credit: Mercedes
Like the opposite Gs, the G 580 continues to be constructed on a standard ladder body, a typical structure in vans and purpose-built off-roaders. Likewise, it nonetheless makes use of a strong axle out again, once more most popular by critical denizens of the paths. The electrical G does make a concession to modernity with an impartial entrance suspension setup, however that’s additionally similar to the opposite present G-Class flavors.
Maybe extra importantly, it seems nearly indistinguishable from the upcoming 2025 refresh of the G-Class. Mercedes made a number of refined tweaks to the styling, most notable being a black grille plus some distinctive, EQ-exclusive lighting. There are different modifications similar to barely rounded corners and the wish to let this SUV’s abrupt form reduce via the wind extra cleanly, however they’re near-impossible to identify.
Take one look, although, and it’s straightforward to see that aerodynamics is just not the precedence right here. Off-road efficiency is, and Mercedes has gone all-out, making a bespoke drivetrain for the G-Class.
A wager on off roading
Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Expertise in desert sand non-metallic paint. Picture credit: Mercedes
That is the place issues get radically totally different from the assorted gasoline-powered G-Class fashions.
Just like the higher-spec fashions of Rivian’s R1T and R1S, the G-Class is pushed by 4 electrical motors — one for every wheel — mounted inboard on the SUV’s chassis. Every of those motors even has its personal two-speed transmission, a selectable discount gearset that enables the EQ taste of the G-Class to have a low-range mode, giving it further torque and management in low-grip situations.
A four-motor setup provides exact management over particular person wheel velocity, enabling higher grip administration than a standard locking differential setup might handle. It creates the chance for some enjoyable methods, too.
The hallmark is what Mercedes calls the G-Flip. Faucet a number of buttons on the middle console, maintain both the left or proper paddle on the steering wheel, after which step on the accelerator, and the G-Class spins about on its axis.
It’ll do as much as two full rotations like this, simply sufficient for a little bit of showboating, however Mercedes says it’s really for making a fast exit from unexpectedly terminated trails, one thing once more seen earlier from Rivian.
One other, extra sensible function is named G-Cornering, the place the G-Class can cut back the velocity of the within rear wheels when turning. This may assist the G-Class navigate tight, twisty trails way more effectively than a typical off-roader with locking differentials.
Crucially, neither of those options is obtainable on the G-Class fashions with inside combustion engines. If you would like them, you’ll should go electrical; and the additional capabilities don’t finish there.
The EQ G-Class can wade via water 33.5 inches deep, about six full inches deeper than the opposite Gs. It additionally provides an additional 0.3 inches of floor clearance and a further diploma of strategy angle.
A sizzling EV in a tepid-demand world
Picture Credit: Mercedes
In the event you’re nervous about ruggedness, Mercedes-Benz says you shouldn’t be. The G 580 with EQ Expertise has steel and carbon fiber safety across the 116-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It’s additionally totally remoted from water, grime and no matter different muck you run it via. It’s not, nevertheless, made utilizing the silicon-anode know-how from Mercedes’ partnership with Sila. These are attributable to arrive in a “range-extended” model of the electrical G throughout the subsequent few years, in keeping with a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson.
It could show to be a fascinating possibility. Regardless of providing 16 kWh higher capability than a Mannequin X, for instance, the electrical G received’t go practically as far on a cost because the Tesla. Mercedes says it’ll do 473 kilometers on the European WLTP cycle, which ought to equate to roughly 250 miles on the American EPA check, far wanting the Mannequin X’s 335-mile EPA score.
Regardless of the vary, the electrical G-Class feels like a powerful package deal, sufficient to woo any true fan of efficiency away from the fashions with inside combustion. Tragically, it launches at a time of cooling curiosity for EVs on the whole.
Mercedes-Benz lately walked again its 2030 objective of being an EV-only producer, blaming tough market circumstances.
Forward of the G 580’s unveiling, Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Administration of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, stated that curiosity in EVs is closely variable primarily based on area In Europe. Adoption has lately taken an enormous hit due to the sudden removing of EV-related incentives, she added.
This has precipitated “a little bit little bit of uncertainty” among the many model’s prospects. “And clearly, when you flip off incentives, it has a direct impression,” Seeger continued.
In Europe, Mercedes has coated this by making use of its personal incentives, with “promising” outcomes, in keeping with Seeger. Within the U.S. the “lease loophole” means lots of the model’s EVs nonetheless obtain the $7,500 federal incentive as long as they’re leased, whereas sellers right here are sometimes piling on steep reductions of their very own.
“For the U.S., we do see people who find themselves very a lot , however I might say the bulk are extra hesitant.”
She says the corporate is sticking to its electrification plans however declined to set any particular gross sales targets for the G 580 with EQ Expertise versus the opposite G-Class trims with inside combustion. “We’re ready for every thing… We’ve got full flexibility in responding to buyer wants,” she stated.
In different phrases, we’ll have to attend and see how a lot of an element the G 580 with EQ Expertise is within the total unfold of G-Class gross sales. Until it’s a complete flop, although, it’s cheap to count on extra.
Mercedes has up to now made higher-horsepower, higher-price AMG-branded variations of its electrical EQE and EQS fashions. Within the U.S., the AMG model of the standard G-Class outsells its lower-cost variations, regardless of carrying a virtually $200,000 beginning value — plus no matter exorbitant adjustment your native seller needs to use.
That’s the reason Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius calls the G-Class “the Birkin bag of our product portfolio.” Will the brand new EQ taste keep its cachet? It actually seems able to drive circles round its predecessors off-road, however whether or not that’s sufficient to woo the fickle G crowd stays to be seen.
