Electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class to be revealed on 24 April

Open gallery 'EQG' could spearhead a new line of ultra-luxury Mercedes SUVs An AMG edition is expected to arrive, matching the capabilities of the V8 G63 It will be uniquely available with Trail, Rock and Sand modes Due this year, it will feature four electric motors that simulate locking differentials Overall weight has not yet been finalised, but it will be less than 3500kg Close News by Greg Kable 10 mins read 8 April 2024 Follow @@autocar Mercedes will reveal the long-awaited electric G-Class at the Beijing motor show later this month.  Previously known as the EQG, the electric 4x4 will be sold as the G580 with EQ Technology later this year, following its reveal on 24 April at Auto China. The G580 will headline a flurry of Mercedes reveals and debuts at the China show, with the new plug-in hybrid version of the AMG GT coupé and heavily updated EQS saloon also due to make their public debuts. Related articles Mercedes will show the radical Concept CLA Class in China for the first time at the show too, ahead of the production version's global debut later this year.  The G580 was revealed in concept form at the Munich motor show in 2021, with a radical quad-motor powertrain that allows for unstoppable go-anywhere abilities – in keeping with the reputation of the G-Class – and means the EV can turn on the spot like BYD's similarly conceived Yangwang U8 4x4. Preliminary technical specifications were revealed at a prototype launch in 2022 (see below), but the firm has yet to confirm its new EV's headline performance specifications.  It has revealed that the new electric G-Class will consume between 27.7-30.3kWh of energy per 62 miles travelled, reflecting an official efficiency figure of 2-2.2kWh. Based on a previously disclosed battery capacity of roughly 100kWh, that means the electric G-Class will have a range of around 200-220 miles.  It will be Mercedes-Benz’s ninth dedicated electric model, kicking off a whole new chapter of electrification for the traditional hardcore off-roader, a mainstay of the German car maker’s line-up since 1979. The electric G-Glass is also earmarked to act as a technological spearhead for Mercedes-Benz’s newly created G (for Geländewagen) sub-brand, promising what G brand boss Emmerich Schiller describes as an “unparalleled combination of luxury and off-road ability for electric vehicles”. He said: “From the start, it was decided the electric G-Class should be at least as good as the internal-combustion-engine model both on road and off road. We didn’t want to compromise on capabilities.” Latest Reviews Fiat 600e Porsche Taycan Jeep Renegade View all car reviews Back to top Based on the latest iteration of the G-Class – codenamed and known within Mercedes-Benz engineering circles as W463 – it builds off a modified version of the steel ladder-frame chassis used by internal-combustion-engine (ICE) models, alongside which it will be produced at long-time partner Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. Early road-going prototypes confirm it will retain the same characteristic square-rigged exterior styling as other existing G-Class models. Although disguised, they feature standard body panels together with a number of small but unique details, as hinted at on the earlier concept, including a new-look front bumper and a blanked-off grille. “We have two skateboards with the same hat on top,” said Schiller, in reference to the ladder-frame chassis and familiar G-Class styling. “As with the internal-combustion-engine models, the body is connected to the ladder frame at eight points.” Like Mercedes-Benz’s other EQ models, there is no front luggage compartment or 'frunk'. The charging cable will be able to be stowed in a lockable box similar to that previewed by the concept, mounted in the place traditionally taken by the spare tyre on the sideways-opening tailgate. At the centre of the EQG’s technical development is a new electric drivetrain consisting of four electric motors – one powering each individual wheel. Unique among Mercedes-Benz’s current line-up of EQ models, it mirrors that of the SLS E-Cell produced by Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance car division in limited volumes in 2013. The four-motor layout, also used by US electric vehicle start-up Rivian for its R1 SUV and pick-up, is aimed at providing the EQG with what Schiller describes as an unrivalled combination of off-road performance and refined on-road qualities. Back to top — Greg Kable (@GregKable) November 21, 2022 “There were intensive discussions surrounding the four-motor layout. It is incredibly complex. It is also very expensive. But with two electric motors you have differential locks, which means a combination of electronic and mechanical systems. With three motors – one u