For those who prefer to grind gravel and bind rocks while surrounded by luxurious napa leather – and who can’t imagine emitting even a single molecule of carbon dioxide while doing so – the fully electric Mercedes G-Wagen is made for you.
The very expensive and boxy status symbol is now even more of a status symbol thanks to a 116 kWh battery and an all-electric drivetrain, complemented by four individually controlled motors with a maximum total output of 432 kW – the equivalent of ‘around 580 horsepower – and a maximum torque of 1,164 Newton meters.
“I recently joked that it was like Mercedes’ Birkin bag.” Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said at the Decoder podcast back in 2022. “Everyone wants one and the wait time is really long. It might even be the most desirable car in our portfolio. »
But with great power comes great expense. The Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ technology (an unsightly name for an exotic electric vehicle, but I’ll allow it) to start at €142,621.50 ($152,184.27), while the first edition version costs €192,524.15 ($205,432.89). This is a premium compared to gas models, which typically starts at around $143,000. At launch, the Edition One version will be exclusive to the US market and will arrive in dealerships in the second half of 2024.
The G 580, or EQG if you prefer, will be built on a ladder frame concept, which the automaker says is fundamental to its off-roader. Like its gasoline equivalents, the ladder chassis features independent double-wishbone front suspension, as well as a newly developed live rear axle for a lower center of gravity. The battery will propel the EQG to an estimated range of 473 km (293 miles) under the WLTP standard, which will likely be lowered further based on the less optimistic rating from the EPA.
The electric G-Wagen will come with a whole caravan of nifty circus tricks, including a tank turn (which Mercedes has dubbed its G-Turn) for sharper on-axis rotations. G-Turn will operate on loose, unpaved roads and trails and only at low speeds. And a three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function will keep the electric SUV at the optimal speed when traveling on uneven surfaces. And Mercedes boasts that the EQG will remain stable on slopes up to 35 degrees and will have a maximum wading depth of 850 millimeters (33 inches).
Of course, all these off-road activities require additional protection for the battery, which is stored in the vehicle’s floor for its low center of gravity. Every grain of gravel is a potential hazard when you’re driving with a two-stage lithium-ion battery with 216 cells installed in 12 cell modules between three levels of cooling beneath your feet.
The underbody skid plate, unique to the electric G-Class, is made from a “smart material blend” that includes carbon, which “increases rigidity compared to steel or aluminum alternatives,” it says. the society. It also provides long-lasting protection against corrosion and saves weight. The plate is 26 millimeters thick, weighs 57.6 kilograms and is attached to the ladder frame with more than 50 steel screws.
And in what becomes a increasingly normal thing to do with the new electric vehicles, Mercedes has decided to give its electric G-Wagen a false engine sound, here called G-Roar. Inspired by the “emotional V8 sounds” of the gasoline range, the G-Roar will use external speakers to emit sound that simulates the “deep bass and sonorous tones” of its fuel-sipping sibling. The sounds can change when switching between driving modes: Comfort produces a more discreet fake engine noise, while Sport will hit you straight in the feelings (Mercedes also describes it as “emotional”).
Even with the emphasis on off-roading rather than performance, the EQ-equipped G 580 (no, still unsightly, going back to EQG) is no slouch on pavement. The electric SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and will be electronically limited to a maximum speed of 180 km/h (or 112 mph).
The exterior is nearly identical to the current model year gas-powered G-Wagens. You get bright accents on the grille, which can also be replaced with an optional blacked-out front panel. The hood is slightly raised and the rear wheel arches include air curtains for better aerodynamic performance. There is also a new A-pillar cladding and a spoiler lip on the roof. But otherwise, it would be difficult to distinguish the electric vehicle in an entirely G-Class lineup.
A rear-mounted designer box seems ideal for a spare wheel, but open it and — surprise! – these are charging cables and other optional accessories, such as snow chains. Of course, if you want to be a traditionalist, you can definitely store your spare tire there. No judgment.
Inside, the electric G-Wagen sticks to what works, retaining the passenger grab bar and surrounding everything in carbon fiber. There are plenty of physical buttons and the air vents are delightfully tactile and circular. The pedals are covered in raised rivets because, you know, off-road. And the 12.3-inch digital screen runs Mercedes’ well-received MBUX infotainment system, but also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Rear passengers can enjoy a variety of media on their personal 11.6-inch touchscreens mounted on the back of the front seats. Content can be moved from the rear screen to the front screen, but watching videos and browsing the Internet is reserved for parked mode only.
The electric G-Wagen first appeared in concept form in 2021 then again in 2022, despite the company’s lack of clarity on production plans. (To compensate, Mercedes released a ridiculously complex promotional video set in a 1970s space opera complete with aliens.)
But since then, many electric off-roaders have emerged, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevy Silverado EV, Hummer EV, and Rivian R1T and R1S. Whether any of these vehicles actually spend a single second doing real off-road work – as opposed to picking up lawn fertilizer at Home Depot – is entirely up for debate. The electric G-Wagen likely won’t be any different, as the boxy SUV has always been seen more frequently in the driveways of the wealthy than on the trails of Moab.
However, the EQG is the sign that even if it has withdrew some of his early predictions When it comes to electrification, Mercedes still understands that even its super-luxury status symbols will have to go electric.
