Mercedes-Benz has announced a new, all-electric G-Class that’s designed to retain the vehicle’s character and capability while still offering zero-emission transport. Combining clever all-terrain technology with electric power and a massive battery, the vehicle is described by its manufacturer as “uncompromising.”
Modern details
Part of the brief for the new G-Class was to retain the classic shape while giving the car a modern look, so the angular silhouette has remained. However, Mercedes-Benz has fitted an optional black-panel radiator grille and a slightly raised bonnet, as well as a “design box” at the rear.
Mercedes has also tried to give the vehicle an aerodynamic boost with some fresh cladding on the A-pillar and a redesigned rear spoiler. There are so-called “air curtains” down the flanks, too, formed using generators embedded in the rear wheel arches bumper, designed to reduce drag from that boxy body.
High-tech kit
Inside, the new G-Class gets Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system and ambient lighting as standard, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel. But keyless entry, temperature-controlled cupholders and a Burmester sound system are all available as an option.
There’s off-road technology, too, with a ‘transparent bonnet’ system that provides a view of the front wheels on the MBUX screen, as well as some forward view that wouldn’t necessarily be visible from the driving seat. The system is designed primarily for seeing where the wheels are pointing and the sort of terrain they’re traversing, as well as allowing forward visibility when cresting hills.
Off-road prowess
Key to the new model, which wears the G 580 badge, is the new electric all-wheel-drive powertrain, which uses four electric motors to give the vehicle a total output of 587hp. Each motor is individually controlled, and there’s a selectable low-range off-road gear reduction, which is designed to provide more grunt on rough surfaces. There’s even a three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function that works like a kind of off-road cruise control.
As a result of that, and thanks in part to the ladder chassis and independent suspension, the car remains stable on sideways slopes of up to 35 degrees, while there’s a maximum fording depth of 850mm. And as a party piece, the individual motors allow the car to perform its G-Turn, which sees it spin almost in its own length on loose or slippery surfaces.
Big battery
For many customers, however, the on-road performance will be more interesting than the off-road capability, and there the G-Class’ aerodynamic properties take their toll. Although Mercedes has hidden a huge 116kWh battery in the framework of the ladder chassis, the car will cover up to 473km on the official efficiency test.
That gives the car an official energy consumption figure of 27.7-30.3kWh every 100km, which compares somewhat unfavourably with other Mercedes SUVs. By way of a comparison, the EQS 580 SUV uses 21.1-21.2kWh of battery capacity every 100km, despite having almost as much power as the G-Class.
Legendary performance
“Throughout its more-than-45-year history, the G-Class has always used the most modern drive technology available,” said Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer at Mercedes-Benz. “So, it's entirely fitting that the innovative drive concept with four individually controlled electric motors once again raises the legendary performance of our off-road icon to a new level. It even retains that familiar angular silhouette and is true to the character of our beloved ‘Geländewagen’.”
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t announced prices for the Irish market just yet, but the company is expected to reveal more before the car is launched properly in the coming months.