The Geländewagen, better known as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is getting an electric makeover – and EVs might never be the same.
After much anticipation, the Mercedes-Benz has introduced the G 580, an all-electric version of its iconic G-Class SUV, which has been a staple in the luxury vehicle market for more than 45 years. The G 580 stands out from the brand’s typical naming convention for electric vehicles, marking a significant shift as Mercedes embraces electric mobility while retaining the classic G-Class identity.
Chief Technical Officer Markus Schäfer emphasized the G 580’s unique position in the lineup, stating, “There is only one G, and now, there’s a G with an internal-combustion engine, and there’s an electric G. Same car. More-or-less same platform. Small modifications.” Those small modifications include a solid black grille, a subtly raised hood, and aerodynamic tweaks such as an air-curtain at the rear wheel arch and a spoiler lip on the roof. Instead of a rear-mounted spare tire, a color-keyed box houses the charger cables. Despite these changes, the electric G maintains the rugged aesthetic of its gasoline counterpart but with modifications aimed at improving aerodynamics — despite its boxy shape.
Internally, the electric G mirrors recent upgrades given to the combustion engine models. “We’ve upgraded the electronics in the car, the telematics, and brought in new driver assistance in the car,” Schäfer said. These enhancements include advanced display screens, wireless cell phone chargers, and heated-and-cooled cupholders. The electric model also boasts a unique G-ROAR sound profile, enhancing the driving experience with a synthesized auditory effect.
The G 580 transitions some classic G-Class features to fit its electric nature. The three traditional differential lock buttons now control features that enhance off-road capability, such as the ability to crab walk or maintain a steady crawl over rough terrain. Each wheel is powered by its motor, allowing for sophisticated power distribution that mimics the effect of locking differentials without the mechanical component.
Performance-wise, the G 580 boasts 579 horsepower and 859 foot-pounds of torque, enabling it to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in under five seconds. Mercedes estimates the G 580’s range to exceed 230 miles per charge, a figure that positions it for weekend trips but may fall short of competing with the longest-range electric vehicles on the market. The G 580 is positioned as a luxury electric SUV that combines environmental consideration with the performance and style expected from the G-Class.
“The G-Wagen has cult status, it’s just unique,” Ola Källenius, the company’s CEO said in 2022. “The G will always remain a G. It’s not on a platform. It’s its own vehicle. Full stop. And it will remain its own vehicle.”
The Mercedes G-Wagen goes electric
The electric SUV is in line with the German car giant’s plan of going all-electric by 2030. “We really want to go for it, and be dominantly, if not all electric, by the end of the decade,” Källenius told Reuters. Developed in the early 1970s as a military vehicle, the gas-powered G-Wagen averages only about 14 miles per gallon and is one of the most polluting vehicles on the road today.
Those eager to get their hands on an electric Geländewagen can expect an MSRP of around $150,000. But technically, the Mercedes EQG won’t be the first electric G-Class to hit city streets. In 2017, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger showed off his customized electric G-Wagen, on an episode of CNBC’s “Jay Leno’s Garage.” The SUV was modified for a whopping $1 million by Kreisel Electric, an Austrian car customizing company. “I want to prove to the world that it is not the car that is [pollutive].” Schwarzenegger said at the time, “it is the technology under the hood that is the polluter.”
Changing the EV landscape
In terms of the global shift to electrification, the new, electric G-Class is expected to be a game changer. “I think what we’re now seeing on this journey to complete zero emission, and we’re saying let’s go there as quickly as we can—even though it is a 10+-year journey—if we look at how that is developing now, right now as we sit here in 2022, we are now beyond the early adopter phase and we are starting the mass adoption phase,” Källenius explained.
Here are just a few ways the electric Geländewagen is taking the lead.
Better batteries
The electric SUV will have an option that features next-generation battery technology produced using 100 percent renewable energy, according to Mercedes-Benz. The company partnered with California-based startup Sila, an engineered materials company, to use silicon anode chemistry batteries that will increase energy efficiency by about 20 to 40 percent.
“We’re looking at some exciting technologies there with silicone anodes,” Ola Källenius, the company’s CEO said. “We will have one high energy-density battery cell that we’re working on for this vehicle. And the powertrain itself will be, from a performance point of view, phenomenal.”
And battery recycling, too
Mercedes-Benz isn’t just working to make the batteries more sustainable themselves. It also has a battery recycling plant in the works. The car maker is currently building a facility in Germany, which will use some of the “best recycling technology” to salvage precious metals. “We could get north of 90 percent recycling quota out of those once we get them out of service,” Källenius explained.
Better performance on and off the road
Källenius was able to test drive the electric SUV on the company’s off-road facility near Graz, Austria, which features a “pretty comprehensive terrain.” “We walked out of the car and were like, from now on going off-road is electric,” he said.
“It is mind-blowing. I know I’m raising expectations here…but it was so competent, so easy to drive it,” he continued. “It will have phenomenal performance on and off the road coupled with the most energy-dense battery that we can find in a vehicle that is slightly aerodynamically challenged.”
Eco-certified canteens
The G-Wagen is part of Mercedes-Benz’s ongoing sustainability commitments. The automaker recently announced its Mercedes-Benz Gastronomy GmbH is now emphasizing its commitment to health, climate responsibility, and animal welfare across seven operations in Germany. A purely plant-based menu is available daily in canteens, supplemented by a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan options in its more than 20 canteens and 45 shops, including catering services.
The company has been awarded a certification of all its canteens under the Bio-Außer-Haus-Verpflegungs-Verordnung (AHVV), effective April 2024 for its eco-friendly practices. This certification is part of its ongoing effort to increase the use of certified organic ingredients, sourced locally and from organic farms wherever possible. Mercedes has also introduced a health score system to evaluate the nutritional value of each meal, guiding customers toward the most balanced choices.
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