Mercedes G580 electrifies an off-road icon
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is Germany’s reply to Jeep, Hummer, and Land Rover. Combining conventional Mercedes luxurious with severe off-road functionality, the G-Class, or Geländewagen, because it’s formally recognized, is correct at residence on the path or the valet stand. And now it’s going electrical.
Mercedes has been teasing an electrical G-Class since 2021, and now it’s lastly arrived within the type of the G580 with EQ Technology. Expected to go on sale in the united statesas a 2025 mannequin alongside refreshed gasoline G-Class variants, it makes use of electrical powertrain tech to replace a basic design and improve off-road functionality.
Unlike Mercedes’ EQ line of EVs, the G580 sticks with the styling of its gasoline counterparts. The solely identifiable variations are a raised hood, flared wheel arches that incorporate air curtains, and a cost port. That’s as a result of the G580 makes use of a modified model of the ladder body from different G-Class fashions that’s been modified to deal with a battery pack and electrical motors.
A quad-motor powertrain generates 579 horsepower and 859 pound-feet of torque, which can get the electrical G-Class from zero to 60 mph in a Mercedes-estimated 4.6 seconds. Top velocity is electronically restricted to 112 mph.
Because it has an electrical motor for every wheel, this G-Class doesn’t want the mechanical locking entrance, heart, and rear differentials that assist give gasoline G-Classes most traction on slippery surfaces. Instead, the electrical G-Class simulates locked differentials by mechanically metering the quantity of torque for every wheel. Each motor additionally has its personal transmission with a low-range discount gear, offering the identical impact because the switch instances present in internal-combustion off-roaders.
Despite having a 116-kilowatt-hour battery pack slung underneath its ground (and guarded by its personal light-weight mixed-material skid plate), the electrical G-Class has a claimed 9.8 inches of floor clearance. Mercedes additionally claims it will probably ford as much as 33.5 inches of water — greater than the gasoline G-Class fashions. Other necessary off-road numbers embrace a 32.0-degree strategy angle, 30.7-degree departure angle, and 20.3-degree breakover angle.
The quad-motor powertrain additionally allows some trick options. G-Turn lets the G-Class flip in place like a tank (albeit just for two rotations at a time), G-Steering applies torque to particular person wheels to assist the G-Class flip extra tightly off-road, and the clever crawl perform maintains a preset velocity over free surfaces. An electrical powertrain can’t match the sound of an internal-combustion engine, although, so Mercedes gave the G580 a man-made soundtrack dubbed G-Roar.
Mercedes isn’t discussing vary, however 200-kilowatt DC quick charging permits for a ten% to 80% cost in a claimed 32 minutes. An 11-kWAC onboard charger able to totally recharging the pack in 13.5 hours is included as effectively, together with the identical variable regenerative braking system beforehand seen in different Mercedes EVs and plug-in hybrids. This lets the motive force choose the quantity of regeneration by way of steering wheel paddles.
Inside, the G580 provides the identical luxurious lodging as different G-Class fashions, so you’ll be able to take pleasure in Nappa leather-based upholstery whilst you certain by way of the muck. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system carries over from different Mercedes fashions and options wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen. A 360-degree digital camera system additionally allows a “transparent hood” perform, displaying what’s immediately underneath the entrance of the automobile so drivers can correctly asses the terrain.
The G580 with EQ Technology launches within the U.S. in Edition One kind, with particular paint choices and exterior and inside trim particulars. Mercedes isn’t discussing pricing, however the G-Class has by no means been low-cost. Then once more, neither are the rival GMC Hummer EV SUV and Rivian R1S. Electric Jeep and Land Rover fashions ought to be a part of this rising area of interest quickly as effectively, accelerating the electrification of off-roading.
