The Geländewagen Officially Enters the EV Era with 879 Lb-Ft of Torque
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen has been an icon of the off-roading world since it first arrived back in 1979. As the world continues its slow march towards an all-electric future, Mercedes has no plans to leave its fan-favorite 4×4 behind. The automaker pulled the cover off of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology on Tuesday night, bringing the Geländewagen into the EV era.
At the heart of the new electric G 580 sits a familiar ladder frame setup, a longstanding design element shared with the gasoline-powered models. A fully independent double-wishbone front suspension bolsters that traditional chassis, while the EV G retains a live rear axle with a De Dion setup. Adaptive dampers are standard equipment on the electric model.
Each wheel benefits from its own electric motor, which is packaged in pairs at either axle. These motor setups also include an individual transmission for each wheel, allowing for single-wheel drive and some slick gear-reduction trickery off-road. Each motor is good for 145 hp, with a combined powertrain output of 579 hp and 859 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes says the SUV will be able to do 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, but will be limited to a top speed of just 112 mph. In Low Range mode, that top speed drops to just 53 mph. In place of the three locking differentials found on the current G-Wagen, Mercedes has developed a virtual locker setup, which it achieves via torque vectoring between the independently driven wheels.
Bolted to the center of the ladder frame sits a large battery with 116 kWh of usable capacity. The pack is composed of 216 individual cells split across 12 modules and features a torsion-resistant case. The truck will support both AC and DC charging, with an 11 kW onboard AC Charger and a DC charger with a capacity of up to 200 kW. Mercedes says the battery is able to charge from 10 to 80 percent full in just 32 minutes as a result. You can also top up the battery via the regeneration system, which is bolstered by five different regen levels spread across five modes. That battery itself is protected from the rigors of off-roading by way of an underbody skid plate setup, which was specially designed for the 4×4. The main panel is over an inch thick and weighs in at 127 lbs, but utilizes materials like carbon to help keep the weight down. A similar panel made from more traditional steel would weigh nearly three times as much.
That sort of protection might come in handy on the trails, where the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology remains a potent challenger. The truck provides owners with a minimum of 9.8 inches of ground clearance between the axles. No combustion powertrain also means that the truck has a wading depth rating of 33.5 inches, which is 5.9 inches more than the G 550 or G 63. The EV’s approach, departure, and breakover angles of 32 degrees, 30.7 degrees, and 20.3 degrees also compare favorably to the gas-powered models. The G550 featured in our most recent off-road test has approach, departure, and breakover angles of 30.9, 29.9, and 23.5 degrees, respectively. The SUV is 182 inches long, 76.7 inches wide, and 78.2 inches tall. The wheelbase is 113.8 inches, matching the current G550 models.
The truck also brings some off-road tech, such as a zero-turn function and Mercedes’ new clear hood camera feature. The updated off-road cockpit system from the refreshed G 550 also finds its way to the G 580, backed by a new Intelligent Crawl function. This system works like off-road cruise control, with variable speed settings for all types of trails.
Inside you’ll find Mercedes’ 12.3-inch infotainment system, which comes flanked by a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. A rear seat entertainment package is available for those who need more screens, adding a pair of 11.2-inch units to the back of the front seats. You can customize the truck in almost any way you want via the extended Manufaktur program, which provides exclusive interior and exterior appointments. A suite of Mercedes ADAS systems is standard on the truck.
Mercedes-Benz has yet to share any pricing information related to the North American market G 580, nor has it announced an official range figure at this time. We do know that every G 58o in the US for the 2025 model year will come equipped with the Edition One package, which includes items like five bespoke Manufaktur paint options, unique exterior molding trim, and blue brake calipers. The package also includes the content from the AMG Line and Night Packages, bringing AMG wheels, tinted lighting elements, a Manufaktur interior palette, and blue carbon interior accents. We should have more information related to pricing as the on-sale date draws nearer.
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