The Mercedes G 580 EQ at a glance*
- First fully electric G-Class
- Max. 432 kW/588 HP and 1,164 Nm
- Four electric motors allow tanks to turn
- 116 kWh battery for 473 WLTP kilometers
- Curb weight 3,085 kg!
- Basic price (estimated) from 200,000 euros
*(Combined power consumption (WLTP): 30.3-27.7 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km; CO class: A)²
Only really with a tank turn
Electric classic: Mercedes has electrified the iconic G-Class for the first time in the 45-year model history, giving the angular dinosaur four electric motors and a maximum output of 432 kW/588 hp and 1,164 Nm of torque. The four electric motors close to the wheels and individually controllable even allow a “tank turn”, i.e. a 360 degree turn while stationary.
The first electric G-Class (suitable for everyday use) came from Kreisel and was significantly lighter
Although Daimler claims in the press release that it is the first fully electric model of its off-road icon, we of course do not want to forget the conversion of a G 350 d by the Upper Austrian e-mobility specialist Kreisel Electric from 2017. In collaboration with Arnold Schwarzenegger, an electric G-Class was created over seven years ago, the technical data of which was not that far removed from the current series product. The Kreisel-G produced 360 kW/490 hp, had an 80 kWh battery (510 kg) and could travel up to 300 kilometers when fully charged. The time from zero to 100 km/h was 5.6 seconds and the top speed was said to have been reached at 183 km/h.
The 183 km/h of the Kreisel-G seem like a small triumph over the merely 180 km/h of the current series product, which, like all G-Classes, is built by the contract manufacturer Magna in Graz, Styria. But things only get really bitter for Daimler when you look at the curb weight of the new Mercedes G 580 EQ: 3,085 kilograms! That's an impressive 445 kilograms more than the current G 63 AMG (combined fuel consumption: 14.7 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 336 g/km; CO2 class: A)², which weighs 2,640 kilograms is about as heavy as the electric Kreisel-G from 2017.
All four electric machines have their own two-speed gearbox!
Now, of course, the current G 580 EQ has a huge 116 kWh battery (net capacity). Their weight alone is likely to be over 700 kilograms. Each of the four PSM electric motors close to the wheel (each with 108 kW of power) also has its own two-speed gearbox and its own inverter. The four individual two-speed gearboxes are used to implement the switchable off-road gear reduction – additional weight that the Kreisel-G apparently did not have to deal with. The Austrians placed several electric motors with reduction gears directly on the transfer case – the main gear was removed.
Of course, at this point we don't know all the technical refinements of the Kreisel G-Class and the possible weak points of the system. Nevertheless, the high curb weight of the G 580 EQ makes you think. Chinese manufacturers in particular are currently showing that the Mercedes is not alone with this problem with models such as the BYD Yangwang, the GWM Tank or the monstrous Dongfeng M-Hero 917 (vehicles are not yet for sale, pending homologation)².
Still with a ladder frame and 200 kW charging power
Of course, Mercedes will have done a lot to ensure that an electric and overweight G 580 EQ can be driven quite well. The luxury truck continues to rely on a ladder frame construction, with revised rigid axles at the rear and a combination of independent suspension and double wishbones at the front. It's perhaps worth mentioning at this point that the electric G is said to be more capable off-road than the combustion engine variants. In addition to being able to cope with gradients of up to 100 percent, the Stromer offers a wading depth of 85 centimeters – at least 15 centimeters more than the G 63 AMG.
By the way, the manufacturer specifies the WLTP range as 434 to 473 kilometers. However, if we divide the usable battery capacity by the combined average consumption (30.3-27.7 kWh/100 km), we only get 380 kilometers in the worst case. Deducting the usual 25 percent on long distances, there may be barely 290 kilometers left before the 116 kW battery has to be charged again with a maximum of 200 kW direct current. Mercedes promises that the battery (under ideal conditions) will be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 32 minutes.
Interior, market launch and price
In the interior, the electric G-Class only differs from the combustion engine model in the presence of a few buttons for adjusting the electric all-wheel drive. The standard MBUX infotainment system also includes two 12.3-inch screens, and further developed safety and assistance systems round off the offering. At the market launch, an exclusive special model will also be available as the Mercedes G 580 EQ Edition One. The manufacturer is not yet revealing exactly when the Elektro-G will come onto the market or how much it will cost. However, it can be assumed that Mercedes will not charge less than 200,000 euros. (Text: tv | Images: Mercedes, Kreisel)