New electric Mercedes G-Wagon revealed: teaching an old dog new tricks
April 24, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
This is the long-awaited all-electric Mercedes G-Class, and it combines old-school styling with new-school tech.
- New Mercedes G-Class EV revealed
- The first ever all-electric G-Class
- Similar styling to the standard car
- 580hp and 1,164Nm of torque
- Up to 296 miles of range
- New off-roading tech including tank turn
- Starts from £122,700 in Germany
The new Mercedes G-Class EV is finally here, and it’s the perfect car for those who want to be environmentally conscious without shouting about it.
That’s because this looks like any other gas-guzzling G-Wagon, but it’s powered by four electric motors, and it’s packed with plenty of revolutionary off-roading technology.
New electric G-Class EV design
Let’s face it, most people buy a Mercedes G-Class for the way it looks. That boxy shape hasn’t changed drastically since it was a military vehicle in the 1970s, and there are only a few subtle hints that this is the all-electric version.
Starting up front the smoothed-off grille is the only real giveaway. The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice the slightly taller bonnet line over the petrol-engined model, but beyond that it looks just as rugged as any other G.
It’s a similar story down the side, where you’ll have to look hard to spot the silver EQ badges on the front wings. The electric G-Class does also get some unique alloy wheels which are optimised for better aerodynamics, starting at 18-inches and rising to 20-inches on AMGLine models.
You may be wondering what use the square spare wheel is on the back of the car, well this isn’t actually a wheel at all. It’s the optional “design box” which can be used for storing things like your charging cables or snow chains. If this doesn’t float your boat, you can opt to just have a rear-mounted spare wheel like you get on the normal G-Class.
New Mercedes G-Class EV motors and performance
Powering the new Mercedes G-Class EV are four electric motors, something we’ve only seen on hypercars like the Rimac Nevera until now.
Combined, these put out almost 580hp and a colossal 1,164Nm of torque. That’s almost exactly the same power as the new AMG G63, however it’s over 300Nm more torque.
In terms of performance, this electric SUV will do 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds. That’s slightly slower than the G63, mostly thanks to the fact that this EV weighs a whopping 3,085kg.
New Mercedes G-Class EV batteries and range
The main reason for this hefty weight figure is the massive 116kWh battery pack. It’s integrated into the ladder frame chassis for added rigidity and to lower the centre of gravity, and it’s encased in a 4mm thick steel casing to protect it from harm when you’re thrashing the car off road.
The upside of having such a large battery on board is that you get decent range. The G-Class EV will do up to 296 miles on a charge. Yes, a BMW iX M60 will do 346 miles, but the G-Class has all the aerodynamic qualities of a house brick so you can forgive this.
To try and overcome the blunt shape, Mercedes has made some tweaks to channel air over the car more smoothly. The wheels are specifically designed with aerodynamics in mind, and there are some air curtains in the rear wheel arches to further help with this.
New Mercedes G-Class EV off-road tech
Before the Mercedes G-Class became a status symbol for the rich and famous, it was best-known for being an extremely capable off-roader. This all-electric version has been fine-tuned on the rough stuff to make sure it keeps this reputation intact.
The big news here is the G-Turn function, something which is unique to the electric car. Let’s say you’ve driven up a track but you come across an obstacle you just can’t get past. Instead of precariously reversing all the way back the way you came, the G-Class EV can turn on the spot like a tank.
Because it has a motor powering each wheel, it can actually turn the wheels on each side in opposite directions to turn within its own axis. This can only be performed off-road on loose surfaces, however it could prove useful to get out of a bind. What’s more likely though is influencers in Los Angeles will use it in dusty car parks to get likes on Tik Tok.
The lack of an engine up front means you can wade through deeper water than you can in the petrol-powered car. The EV has a maximum fording depth of 850mm, 150mm more than its petrol-driving counterpart.
The four motors are actually connected to the wheels using dual-joint shafts, which basically allows the wheels to move up and down more freely, and each motor has its own gearbox to help split the torque between each corner and keep you moving when things get tricky.
Protecting the underside of the car from any pointy boulders is a 26mm-thick panel running along the whole car. It’s made of a compound material which includes carbon to save a bit of weight and prevent corrosion, although it still adds 57.6kg to the overall mass.
New Mercedes G-Class EV price and specs
The Mercedes G-Class EV is available to order now in Germany, and the books will open in the UK soon. It starts from 142,621 euros on its home soil, which is around £122,700. UK prices are yet to be finalised though.
From launch you’ll also be able to get a limited First Edition version, starting from 192,524 euros (£165,600) in Germany. This car comes with the AMG Line and Night Packages as standard, meaning you have 20-inch alloy wheels as opposed to the standard 18s, side running boards and a handful of sporty interior trim pieces.
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