Behold, it is the brand new electrical G. After teasing us with ideas since 2021, Mercedes-Benz is lastly spilling all the main points on the upcoming, battery-powered Geländewagen.
And no, it isn’t known as the EQG.
Meet the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Know-how. Sure, it is fairly a mouthful and a break from the nomenclature that Mercedes has outlined for its earlier EVs. Nonetheless, the electrical G-Wagen is a considerably completely different proposition from the corporate’s present electrified efforts, and so a bit of branding shake-up is smart.
The place machines just like the EQE and EQS slot moderately properly into the identical segments occupied by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class whereas being basically completely different from their same-lettered predecessors, the G 580 with EQ Know-how may be very a lot a G-Class. Solely, you recognize, battery-powered.
It begins with a ladder body setup like that on the revised G-Class that Mercedes-Benz unveiled simply final month. It additionally makes use of an analogous suspension structure, an impartial entrance setup paired with a stable dwell axle on the rear — a redeveloped de Dion configuration, particularly. They even look the identical, with the EQ taste of the G-Class differentiating itself with solely a subtly completely different grille and some different tweaks.
The main points, nevertheless, are radically completely different. Whereas the opposite, internally combusted G-Class fashions make do with a paltry single supply of energy, the G 580 with EQ Know-how has 4. The mixture produces a mighty 879 horsepower, as you could have guessed from the identify. Torque clocks in at an much more vital 859 pound-feet of torque.
That is 302 extra horsepower and 232 extra pound-feet than the brand new AMG G 63!
The 4 motors are built-in into the G’s ladder body, inside shared housings on the entrance and rear axles every having a pair of motors and their gearboxes. Brief half-shafts then join every motor to its personal wheel. Mercedes says that is “the primary mass-produced automobile from the Mercedes-Benz Group with individual-wheel drive,” however these of you with an affinity for searing yellow paint will certainly bear in mind 2009’s SLS AMG Electrical Drive. A grand complete of 9 constructed does not qualify as mass-produced, however it actually confirmed some the potential for letting every wheel present its personal twist.
The off-road software right here, although, requires some slightly completely different capabilities and a few fascinating tips, together with the G-Flip characteristic that’s more and more de rigueur on electrical off-roaders. On free surfaces, drivers can allow this mode and maintain both the left or proper paddle to spin the automobile on its axis – solely twice, although, earlier than the mode disables itself.
A much less showy however doubtless extra sensible software is named G-Steering, which drags the within rear wheel to assist the electrical G-Class activate a tighter axis. Mercedes has additionally added a bespoke Crawl perform to the electrical G, very like Ford’s Path Management, which permits the automobile to keep up regular speeds of as much as 5 mph over tough terrain.
EVs usually make nice off-road performers due to their excessive torque and clean energy supply, however Mercedes raised the bar on the brand new G-Class by placing two separate gear ratios at every nook. The motive force can allow a Low Vary discount gear ratio (2:1) for off-road conditions at speeds as much as 53 mph, giving the G 580 much more twist down low.
One main change, nevertheless, is that this G-Wagen doesn’t have the everyday entrance, middle and rear differentials which have turn into an iconic characteristic. The buttons that management them are nonetheless prominently mounted in the midst of the G-Class sprint. Not with EQ Know-how. There’s actually no want for such differentials when every wheel has its personal motor. As an alternative, the flexibility to individually and exactly meter torque to every wheel based mostly on myriad elements creates what Mercedes calls “digital differential locks.” It really works mechanically.
We cannot know the way properly all that comes collectively on the grime till we get a go behind the wheel, however on paper the G 580 appears to be like prefer it’ll be a formidable performer. An method angle of 32 levels and departure of 30.7 levels compares to 31 and 30 within the common G.
Moreover, the G 580 can wade deeper than the opposite G flavors, as much as 33.5 inches vs. 27.6, and it has an additional 0.3 inches of floor clearance, too.
It will be no slouch with regards to on-road efficiency, with a 0-62-mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.7 seconds, however vary won’t be its forte. The G 580’s 116-kilowatt-hour battery pack delivers about 294 miles on the European WLTP check cycle. We’ll need to see the place it shakes out on the extra demanding EPA check, however anticipate someplace round 250 miles. Max charging pace is 200 kW. Additionally, in case you’re questioning, that enormous battery is protected by an aerodynamically designed skid plate made from “an clever materials combine that features carbon.” It’s an inch thick, weighs 127 kilos and is hooked up to the ladder body with 50 metal screws. Mercedes says a traditional metal plate of the identical measurement could be thrice heavier. They didn’t point out what number of screws it will have.
Vary is helped ever so barely by aerodynamic enhancements that embrace air curtains within the rear wheel-arch flares, particular A pillar cladding and a rear lip spoiler. The coefficient of drag falls to 0.44, 0.04 higher than the gas-powered model and 0.07 higher than the outgoing G-Class. No person stated this was a slippery automobile, however these are honest numbers for an SUV with all of the aerodynamic finesse of a 7,716-pound cinder block.
Mercedes has additionally layered on all types of enjoyable tech options, like an non-obligatory gentle band built-in into the grille that may run animations or act as further operating lights. A brand new “design field” (for extra storage) pictured on the blue G comes normal, however you may specify the traditional spare wheel and tire on the rear door must you desire the utility a spare offers. The in any other case silent G additionally has a collection of sounds so as to add a few of the character that absolutely bought misplaced after they amputated the facet pipes. However, blissfully, they’re going to disable themselves by default when off-roading.
The one query is how a lot all it will price. Mercedes-Benz has but to supply U.S. pricing for any of the 2025 G-Class vary, however you may be certain we’ll convey you phrase after they do.
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