Mercedes G 580: The fully electric G-Class

It was only a matter of time that the complete electrification of vehicles would not stop at real off-roaders. Mercedes has been announcing this for the G-Class for several years and also presented its own concept car at the IAA 2021. Around three years later, the time has come and Mercedes is unveiling the production version. The first thing that is striking is the naming, because while all other fully electric offshoots from the Stuttgart company had the EQ abbreviation in the model name, this does not apply to the 4.62 meter long G-Class. Instead of “EQG”, the off-roader is called “G 580 with EQ technology”.

Charging cable instead of spare wheel

A simple “EQG plan chain” would probably have been easier for many people as an identifying feature and for classification in the model portfolio. Nevertheless, with a trained eye you can visually tell the E version apart from the regular combustion engine relatively easily, for example by the new grill light component on the front. Optionally, this is designed as a black panel, is largely closed and surrounded by an LED light strip. The standard Matrix LED multibeam lights are also housed in a black housing. Furthermore, the raised bonnet and the more flared fenders, which also have so-called “air curtains” to improve aerodynamics, are noticeable. The A-pillar and the roof edges were also revised and made more streamlined. At the rear, the (optional) box instead of the spare wheel is particularly noticeable. The charging cable and other tools that you might not want lying around in the trunk can be stored here. The storage space behind the back seat also offers a lot of space: 555 to a maximum of 1,990 liters go into the electric G-Class.

The rest of the interior should already be familiar to G-Class fans. The rectangular display landscape consists of two 12.3-inch screens with the latest MBUX software; two additional screens are available as options for passengers in the rear. An augmented reality function is also available for the driver. Additional cameras around the vehicle also make off-roading easier and also enable a view “through” the G-Class to the front bumper. There are also buttons for quick access to certain vehicle functions that are important for off-road driving. These include, among other things, the artificial horizon, the compass, the altitude, the steering angle of the front wheels, the torque as well as tire pressure and temperature.

Mercedes watches tank maneuvers

Anyone who thinks that you have to accept a loss in off-road capability in an electric Mercedes is wrong. Here the fully electric G-Class is in no way inferior to the combustion engine model – on the contrary. The Mercedes is still based on a classic ladder frame construction with independent suspension at the front and a rigid axle at the rear. The wading depth was increased by 15 to 85 centimeters compared to the combustion engine version. The four permanent magnet synchronous motors are located on the individual wheels and can also be controlled individually in order to, among other things, distribute the torque in the best possible way. With this technology, the off-roader can be turned 360 degrees on the spot like a tank (G-Turn), as each wheel can turn in a different direction at the same time. Each electric unit also has its own two-speed gearbox for switchable off-road reduction. From a standing start, the G 580 EQ sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds with its system output of 587 hp and a total of 1,164 Nm. The top speed is electronically limited to 180 km/h. There is an artificially generated V8 engine noise for the right sound experience.

The basis of the drive is the 116 kWh battery, which consists of a total of 12 modules and is designed for a range of up to 473 kilometers. Charging is carried out with a maximum of 200 kW direct current or 11 kW alternating current. According to Mercedes, the quick charger can be used to recharge from 10 to 80 percent in 32 minutes.

The E version has its price

We still have to wait for information about the exact market launch. The Mercedes G 580 with EQ technology can already be configured online. Then you can also see the proud price of the electric off-roader: 142,621.50 euros. For the special model “Edition One” you have to put another 50,000 euros on the table.