Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the covers off the production-spec all-electric G-Wagon ahead of its official debut at the 2024 Beijing Motor Show. Officially christened as G 580 with EQ Technology, a pre-production concept of the same— called EQG— was showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo in New Delhi, earlier in February this year.
The lengthy moniker also indicates a shift in the naming strategy for the German marque. The all-electric G-Wagon retains most of the visual elements from its pre-production concept barring a few changes. It looks almost identical to its combustion engine sibling— the recently facelifted G 450d.
Mercedes Benz G-Wagon electric: Exterior
As mentioned earlier, the all-electric G-Wagon gets the same design as its ICE sibling but gets subtle variations such as discrete EQ badges and a reworked sealed-off illuminated front grille with a gloss black panel. It also gets a new A-pillar, a new lip spoiler on the roof, and a more slippery bonnet which results in a drag coefficient of 0.44 compared to the 0.48 offered in the G-Class.
Another significant visual highlight is the optional tailgate-mounted spare wheel which can be replaced with a charging cable holder. It gets new front and rear bumpers housing air dams with cubicle mesh inserts. Overall, the G 580 carries forward the signature G-Wagon boxy silhouette and inherent ruggedness.
Mercedes Benz G-Wagon electric: Powertrain specs
This is the first time Mercedes has officially revealed the powertrain specs on the G-Wagon. It gets a massive 116 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery integrated into the ladder frame, thus ensuring a low centre of gravity and claiming a WLTP range of 473 km on a single charge. The battery is housed in a torsion-resistant casing to protect it from water and dirt intrusion.
The battery sends energy to four individually controlled motors located near the wheels which develop a combined peak output of 432 kW (or 580 bhp) and 1164 Nm of torque, therefore, getting a permanent all-wheel drive system. The battery can be charged at speeds of up to 200kW DC fast charging.
The motors have been developed specially for the G 580, and each is driven by a separate 2-speed gearbox. As for performance, the all-electric G-Wagon can clock a top speed of 180 kmph and can do a 0-100 kmph sprint in less than 5 seconds.
Mercedes Benz G-Wagon electric: Off-road specs
The all-electric G-Wagon packs the same independent front suspension, with a new rigid axle at the rear containing the integrated electric drive unit. However, it gets new virtual differential locks courtesy of torque vectoring. The other impressive attribute of the G 580 is a water wading capacity of 850mm which is said to be 100 mm more than its fossil fueled sibling.
The battery-powered G-Wagon has a gradeability of up to 100% on suitable surfaces. And can remain stable on inclines of up to 35 degrees. Like the traditional G-Wagon, the G 580 also gets a low-range transfer case with an off-road crawler function that can run as low as 2 kmph.
