It had to come. A G-class from Mercedes with power from an electric motor. Here is the press release about the all-new Mercedes-Benz G 580.
The new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology is a symbol of how tradition and innovation can be combined. The electric version of the G-Class has – quite appropriately – the classic silhouette with the angular, iconic design, and it is built on the same type of chassis as all predecessors since the premiere in 1979.
Here, however, the construction has been modified and strengthened in order to also accommodate the electric driveline.
With the 116 kWh battery mounted in the chassis frame, the car also gets a low center of gravity, which contributes to even better handling characteristics. The battery is protected by a 26 mm thick and 57.6 kg heavy base plate, which is attached to the chassis frame with more than 50 steel screws.
The car also retains the combination of the front independent suspension and rigid rear axle, the latter being completely newly developed.
Four engines and electronic differential lock
The car's electric drivetrain is completely unique. Four electric motors with a total of 580 hp and 1,164 Nm are mounted on the frame in connection with each wheel. The range is stated at 473 km according to WLTP, and the battery can be charged with up to 200 kW DC and 11 kW AC.
The performance is as impressive on the road as it is on the side of the road. 0-100 km/h is achieved in just 4.7 seconds, while the top speed is 180 km/h.
The car can handle inclines of up to 45° and side slopes of 35°. The wading depth is 15 cm higher than on models with a combustion engine and totals 85 cm, while the clearance itself is 25 cm.
The differential locks that have become synonymous with the G-Class remain in "virtual" form and operate with "torque vectoring". This means that the four motors provide power to each wheel with completely individual control of both gas and brake, which are all handled automatically.
The switchable reduction gear is controlled by the fact that each engine has its own gearbox with a mechanical gear which is controlled centrally.
The four engines also give the car completely new possibilities for maneuvering. G-TURN makes it possible to let the car spin around its own axis on loose ground and almost literally turn around itself.
G-STEERING thereby makes it possible to have an extremely narrow turning radius in terrain or on loose ground. Here the car is made to turn around the inner rear wheel.
The car also has an intelligent crawl function, which can be described as a cruise control for off-road crossings. The speed can be set in three stages, and the driver can then focus entirely on the terrain, while the car itself distributes optimal power in the given situation.
The Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology is equipped as standard with, among other things, adaptive cruise control, active lane assist, active steering assist and a 360° camera. It also has a system where the car's cameras "see through" the bonnet, allowing the driver to see on the screen what would otherwise have been hidden in front of the car.
The first examples of the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology will arrive in the country after the summer.
