Behold, it’s the new electric G. After teasing us with ideas as of 2021, Mercedes-Benz finally reveals all the details about the upcoming battery-powered Geländewagen.
And no, it’s not called EQG.
Meet the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology. Yes, it’s quite nice and different from the nomenclature Mercedes has identified for its previous electric vehicles. However, the electric G-Wagen is a significantly different proposition from the company’s current electrification efforts, and so a slight change in branding makes sense.
Where the machines like it EQE And EQS streamlined into similar segments occupied by Mercedes-Benz E-Class And S-Class Although fundamentally different from its predecessors with the same lettering, the G 580 with EQ Technology is very similar G class. Just, you know, battery powered.
It starts with the same ladder frame setup as on the revised G-Class that Mercedes-Benz unveiled just last month. It also uses the same suspension layout, an independent front setup combined with a solid live axle at the rear – specifically a redeveloped de Dion configuration. They even look similar, with the G-Class’s EQ flavor setting itself apart with just a slightly different grille and a few other tweaks.
However, the details are completely different. While other internal combustion G-Class models use just one compact power source, the G 580 with EQ Technology has four power sources. This combination produces a powerful 879 horsepower, as you might have guessed from the name. The torque meter clocks in at an even more substantial 859 pound-feet of torque.
Output is 302 horsepower and 232 pound-feet more than the new version AMG G 63!
Four engines are integrated into the G’s ladder frame, in common housings on the front and rear axles, each housing a pair of engines and their transmissions. The short half shaft then connects each motor to its own wheel. Mercedes says this is “the first series-produced vehicle from the Mercedes-Benz Group with single-wheel drive”, but those who love the scorched yellow paint will surely remember SLS AMG 2009 electric powertrain. The total of nine built did not qualify for series production, but it certainly showed some potential in allowing each wheel to generate its own torque.
However, the off-road application here entails some rather different capabilities and some interesting tricks, including the increasingly popular G-Turn feature. rigidity on an electric off-road vehicle. On rough surfaces, the driver can enable the mode and hold down the left or right lever to spin the car on its axis – however, only twice before the mode turns itself off.
A less showy but seemingly more practical application is called G-Steering, which pulls the inside rear wheel to help the electric G-Class spin tighter around its axle. Mercedes has also added a dedicated Crawl function to the electric G, like Ford Trail Controlallows the vehicle to maintain a steady speed of up to 5 mph over rough terrain.
Electric vehicles often make great off-roaders thanks to their high torque and smooth power delivery, but Mercedes has raised the bar on the new G-Class by placing two separate gear ratios in each corner. Drivers can activate a Low Range reduction gear ratio (2:1) for off-road situations at speeds up to 53 mph, giving the G 580 even more ability to twist low.
One big change, however, is that this G-Wagen lacks the typical front, center and rear differentials that have become an iconic feature. The buttons that control them are still prominently mounted in the center of the G-Class’s dashboard. Not with EQ Technology. There’s really no need for such differentials when each wheel has its own motor. Instead, the ability to individually and precisely measure torque to each wheel based on a multitude of factors creates what Mercedes calls a “virtual differential lock.” It works automatically.
We won’t know how well it all comes together on dirt until we get behind the wheel, but on paper, the G 580 looks like it’ll be a performer. impression. Approach angle is 32 degrees and departure angle is 30.7 degrees compared to 31 and 30 in the regular G.
Additionally, the G 580 can wade deeper than other G versions, up to 33.5 inches compared to 27.6, and it also has an additional 0.3 inch of ground clearance.
It’ll be no slouch when it comes to on-road performance, with a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.7 seconds, but range won’t be its forte. . 116 kilowatt hours of G 580 battery The package returned about 294 miles on the WLTP European test cycle. We’ll have to see how much of an impact it will have on more stringent requirements EPA check, but expect somewhere around 250 miles. Maximum charging speed is 200 kW. Plus, in case you were wondering, that giant battery is protected by an aerodynamically designed skid plate made from a “smart material mix that includes carbon.” It is 1 inch thick, weighs 127 pounds and is attached to the ladder frame with 50 steel screws. Mercedes says a conventional steel plate of the same size would weigh three times as much. They don’t mention how many screws it will have.
Range is minimally helped by aerodynamic enhancements including rear wheel arch air curtains, special A-pillar cladding and a rear spoiler. The drag coefficient is reduced to 0.44, 0.04 better than the gasoline version and 0.07 better than the old G-Class. No one’s saying this is a slippery car, but those are reasonable numbers for an SUV with all the aerodynamic refinement of a 7,716-pound cinder block.
Mercedes has also thrown in all sorts of cool tech features, such as an optional light strip integrated into the grille that can run animations or act as additional running lights. A new “engine box” (for more storage) pictured on the blue G is standard, but you can specify the classic spare wheel and spare tire in the rear door if you prefer those convenience that the spare wheel brings. On the other hand, the Silent G also has a sounder to add some character that was definitely lost when they cut out the side pipes. Luckily, though, they turn off by default when going off-road.
The only question is how much all this will cost. Mercedes-Benz has not yet provided U.S. pricing for any of the 2025 G-Class, but you can be sure we’ll let you know when they do.
Related videos:
