Electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class First Drive Review
Sacrilege or Sensational? Is there an appetite for a full-electric G-wagon or is Mercedes-Benz trying too hard to convert its fans to EV? We spent time with the all-new Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology both on and off-road to see if it's all smoke and mirrors or if it's a valid concept.
The basic concept of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has remained essentially unchanged since its inception in 1979. It was designed initially as an off-road military vehicle with locking differentials and a body-on-frame construction. In more recent years, the luxury appointments added to the recipe made it far more desirable for the well-heeled, serving as a status symbol and seldom seeing anything resembling a dirt road. Now, the G-Class embraces the future with a full-electric drivetrain, blending over 4 decades of off-road engineering expertise with modern electrification.
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The Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology doesn't replace any of the existing models but instead augments them, offering an alternative for those who wish to switch to a luxury EV SUV. In areas where congestion and emissions charges are levied against users who bring ICE vehicles into city centres, the G580 is a zero-cost alternative. Locally, in South Africa, where we don't have the exact charges, the G580 still has a place in the automotive landscape, if for no other reason than it is brilliant off-road!
The Mercedes-Benz G580 Basics
At its core, the G580 still employs a ladder chassis and body-on-frame design, but instead of an engine up front, it has an electric motor for each wheel. Each of these four motors produces 108kW and 291Nm, giving the G580 a total power output of 432kW, a whole 2kW more than the updated and refreshed G63 V8. Total torque output comes in at 1 164Nm.
These motors are fed by a 116 kWh battery pack engineered and designed for rugged, off-road use. As such, it's waterproof, giving the G580 a wading depth of 850 mm and safeguarded against impacts from rocks and debris. It accepts an 11kW AC charge and a 200kW DC charge, providing a WLTP-rated range of 473 km from a full charge, enough for the G580 to tackle the famed Schöckl mountain-proving ground route 14 times.
Effective Off-Road
Our first taste of the Mercedes-Benz G580 was on a challenging off-road course that consisted of climbs, descents, axle twisters, bridge crossings, tight turns and stepped cement outcrops. The G580 truly shines in the electronic wizardry engineered into this new model. Electrification adds a few complications and problems that need solving but also opens up new avenues to explore, particularly when venturing off the beaten path.
The ability to control each motor individually offers a few unique possibilities. Instead of additional complications in the form of differentials to redirect power to the wheel/s with the most traction, the intelligent computer control unit can command each motor to operate independently, allowing for a far greater spread of power and torque. This was particularly useful and evident when traversing the axle twisters, where opposite wheels are loaded and unloaded. Here, the G580 carefully measures how much power the tyres can handle on the surface. The lack of driveshafts also allows for better articulation, keeping the Wagon level and composed over these obstacles.
One of the benefits of electric torque is that the way it is delivered is made clear when climbing steep gradients and cement outcrops. Simply lifting off the brake and allowing the G-Wagon to creep will see it start to climb and progressively add power to the wheels with the most traction until a safe speed is achieved where momentum is maintained. When a loose patch is encountered, a quick slip of the wheel sees it cuts power to that wheel only and adds power to the remaining three to maintain the climb. 1 164 Nm is more than ample, and when multiplied through the low-range functionality (each motor with a 2-speed gearbox for this purpose), an adequate torque of 18 000 Nm is available. This means the G580 can climb a 100% gradient, or 45 degrees, in traditional speak.
Yet another benefit of a heavy battery is a low centre of gravity. This helps with on-road handling and allows the G580 to lean over further with less risk of a rollover. It is rated to handle a side slope of 35 degrees. Combined with the 250mm ground clearance, 32-degree approach, 30.7-degree departure, and 20.3-degree break-over angle, the G580 is a formidable off-road weapon.
The party tricks that form part of the electrified G580 experience include G-Steer, a low-range feature that allows the inside rear wheel to lock, creating a pivot point for the G-Wagon and allowing it to take tight turns on loose surfaces with greater ease.
G-Turn is inspired by the bi-directional capabilities of military tanks, where one track can rotate in the opposite direction to the other, allowing the tank to rotate around its centre. The G580 can also do this, allowing for two complete rotations before automatically disengaging for safety reasons. This feature is most likely useful in tight corridors where limited turning space is provided or when you find yourself at a dead end and unable to turn around traditionally.
New G580 Pricing
All of this power and technology comes at a price, but if you're in the market for a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, then this may be somewhat inconsequential to you. You can expect to pay R4 647 456 for the new Mercedes-Benz G580 Edition One, available in one of five colours: MANUFAKTUR South Sea Blue Magno, obsidian black metallic, MANUFAKTUR opaline white magno, MANUFAKTUR opaline white bright, and MANUFAKTUR classic grey solid. The AMG Line and Night Package are part of the Edition One trim.
The regular Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology retails for R3 823 457, and both versions are sold with a 5-year/100 000 km PremiumDrive Comfort Care Service and Maintenance Plan.
