This is going to be good news for those who’ve been waiting for a G-Wagen but without the noise, vibrations and emissions (kinda hard to imagine a G-Wagen like that, right?) Having first unveiled the Concept EQG back in 2021, Mercedes-Benz has now named it the G 580, and that foreshadows a critical aspect of this car we’ll dive into in a bit. However, till the time we get to test whether an electric G is still a real G, let’s get to know it better on paper for now.
Like its combustion-engined alter ego, the G 580 too is built on a ladder-frame chassis, featuring an independent front suspension and a solid-axle setup at the rear. This setup has its set of benefits and drawbacks. For example, in scenarios with a lot of suspension travel, the solid-axle setup keeps the tyres flat and doesn’t change their angles. The top of the tyre stays completely straight. When the top of the tyre leans either inwards or outwards, it is known as negative or positive camber. The benefit of a solid-axle setup is that it helps in maintaining grip and also providing better wheel articulation. However, a disadvantage is that on-road ride quality gets compromised.
So what powers the electric G-Wagen? Four electric motors powering each wheel individually, resulting in 532 bhp and an outrageous 118.6 kgm of torque! In ‘hp’ units, the power figure translates into 580, hence the name of the electric G. It reaches triple digits in just 4.7 seconds, while top speed has been restricted to 180 kph.
Backed by a 116 kWh battery pack, the G 580 claims to cover 473 km on a single charge, and it can be topped up either via a 11 kW AC charger, or a 200 kW DC fast charger. The latter provides a 10-80% charge in a claimed 32 minutes. The electric G has three charging programmes – ‘Standard,’ ‘Work’ or ‘Home’. Users can set parameters such as departure time, climate control and maximum charge level. The ‘Home’ and ‘Work’ charging programmes can be activated based on location. They switch on automatically as soon as the vehicle is parked at a stored charging location. Users are informed of this in MBUX.
Mercedes-Benz says that the G 580 has been tested extensively to ensure it maintains off-roading chops; it gets upto 850 mm of water wading ability, along with an approach angle of 32-degree, a departure angle of 30.7-degree, and a 20.3-degree breakover angle. Needless to say, it also gets switchable low range functions, the famous G-Turn, and G-Wagen specific sounds among many other things.
The G 580 is expected to be one of the nine cars by Mercedes-Benz set to be launched in India this year. We don’t expect it to be priced within reach either. However, we can’t wait to see if this one really retains the chops of its combustion-powered alter-ego.
