Mercedes-Benz Brings Electric Brawn to G-Class With G580

MONTPELLIER, France – When Mercedes-Benz launched the G-Class in 1979, the idea of providing it with an electric drivetrain would have been unimaginable. But 45 years later, efforts to keep the luxurious off-roader and urban status symbol competitive against new electrified all-wheel-drive rivals have now seen the notion become reality with the launch of the G580.

The first G-Class model to offer buyers the choice of pure electric power forms part of a facelifted 2025 lineup that also includes the new G550 and G63 gasoline-engine models in the U.S.

Previewed by the Vision EQG concept, the new “G-wagon” retains the traditionally tough, boxy and functional styling of other G-Class models, but gets its own unique detailing, including a black panel grille, altered front bumper, changes to the design of the A-pillars, small air ducts within the rear wheel arches and an optional charging cable box upon the tailgate at the rear.

Together, these changes significantly improve aerodynamic efficiency; Mercedes-Benz quotes a drag coefficient of 0.44 compared to the 0.48 of its facelifted gasoline-powered G-Class models.

The dimensions are unchanged, too. Length extends to 182.0 ins. (4,623 mm) and width runs to 76.0 ins. (1,930 mm). With 9.8 ins. (249 mm) of nominal ground clearance, height is 78.2 ins. (1,986 mm). The wheelbase is also the same as other G-Class models at 113.8 ins. (2,891 mm), although the tracks are unique in width at 64.5 ins. (1,638 mm) front and rear.

The plush interior of the G580 adopts the changes brought to other facelifted G-Class models, including a freestanding digital dashboard panel with individual 12.3-in. (31.2-cm) instrument and infotainment displays – the latter now featuring touch control.

The basis for the new Mercedes-Benz model, codenamed N465, is a modified version of the existing second-generation G-Class ladder-frame chassis. It has been reworked to accommodate a large 116-kWh battery with cells from CATL and a 400V electric architecture. Underbody protection is provided by a 1.0-in. (25-mm) -thick skid plate made partly of carbon fiber.

The battery can be charged at up to 11 kW on an AC system and up to 200 kW on a DC system, providing average energy consumption of between 2.1 and 2.2 mile/kWh on the WLTP test cycle for an official range of between 270 and 294 miles (435 and 473 km) in Europe.

The drivetrain of the G580 departs radically from those used in other existing electric Mercedes-Benz models. Unique in design and layout, it receives four individual electric motors – each with high- and low-range gearing.

Developed in partnership with Magna Powertrain, whose parent company Magna International assembles the electric G-Class at its factory in Austria, each of the synchronous electric motors powers an individual wheel with 145 hp and 215 lb.-ft. (292 Nm) of torque, providing it with an overall system output of up to 580 hp and 858 lb.-ft. (1,163 Nm).

This is 3 hp and 231 lb.-ft. (313 Nm) more than that of the facelifted twin-turbocharged 4.0L V-8-powered G63. But while the G63’s curb weight is 5,820 lbs. (2,640 kg), the G580 brings 6,801 lbs. (3,085 kg) to the scales, making it the heaviest 4-wheeled G-Class to ever see series production.

The new drivetrain delivers excellent everyday drivability and strong performance too. As with internal-combustion-engine G-Class models, there are three on-road driving programs: Comfort, Sport and Individual.

In Comfort, the SUV relies mostly on the rear electric motors for propulsion; the front electric motors are only engaged beyond a certain throttle position to save electric energy. There are strong step-off qualities and solid acceleration up to typical highway speeds – all in rear-wheel drive.

Switching to Sport brings a full quota of power from each of the four electric motors for even more determined properties and greater traction in combination with all-wheel drive. So configured, the G580 is claimed to deliver a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed limited to 112 mph. (180 km/h).

Straight-line stability is excellent given the generous ride height, while the silent operation of the electric motors brings distinctively calmer driveline properties to the G580 compared to other G-Class models. Buyers can replicate the side pipe exhaust acoustics of the G63 via a so-called G-Roar function, which simulates the exhaust note of the performance-leading G-Class model’s V-8.

The improved aerodynamics result in lower levels of wind buffeting at higher speeds than at any time in the G-Class’s history, while road noise is also very well suppressed.

There is plenty of weight and some significant lateral forces to control during cornering, but the independent front and newly developed De Dion rear suspension provides the G580 with progressive body lean and strong outright grip. Even so, you’re always well aware of its significant weight, not least under braking.

With stiffer spring and damping rates, the electric off-roader doesn’t quite strike the same level of ride comfort as its ICE siblings. However, it is not far off the gasoline and diesel models for overall shock absorption. But again, the generous weight means the G580 fidgets more over smaller high-frequency bumps than the lighter G550.

Off-road driving is where the G580 truly excels. It conquers extreme conditions with arguably even greater authority than its lighter and more traditional ICE-powered G-Class siblings. With dedicated low-range gearing, the ability to simulate the functions of the three locking differentials of its gasoline siblings and two standard off-road driving modes, Trail and Rock, its performance away from the pavement is breathtaking. Fording depth is increased 5.9 ins. (150 mm) over the ICE G-Class models at 33.5 ins. (851 mm), with approach, departure and breakover angles put at 32, 31 and 20 degrees, respectively.

With an electric drivetrain, the G580 gets several new off-road driving features, including a so-called G-Turn function that allows you to spin it on its axis for up to 720 degrees. A G-Steering function also allows you to lock a rear wheel to reduce turning circle for added maneuverability in tight spaces. There’s even a function that helps to dig you out of soft sand by controlling the rotational properties of the wheels.

With a sophisticated energy recuperation system, the facelifted Mercedes-Benz is surprisingly economical in low-speed off-road driving, particularly with the optional Off-Road Crawl function, which controls throttle inputs at various pre-set speeds.

The G580 is highly sophisticated and very desirable, with a depth of ability as well as an ease of driving that makes it a worthy addition to the G-Class lineup. We’re yet to see U.S. pricing, but officials suggest it will be positioned close to the G63 at about $180,000 when it arrives later this year.