An In-Depth Look At The Mercedes-Benz G 580 ‘G-Wagen’

Will electrification ‘spoil’ the Mercedes G-Wagen? The polarizing nature of all-electric vehicles means this ‘controversy’ has already ensnared the Ford Capri, the Ford Puma, the Ford Mustang (can you see a theme…?), the Chevrolet Blazer EV, and the brand new Renault 5 E-Tech amongst others in its tiresome vines, and can virtually definitely to take action once more with future EV resurrections. Even this explicit author pigheadedly can’t carry himself to name the Mach-E as ‘a correct Mustang.’

It’s a very tough query although after we contemplate Mercedes’ ‘Geländewagen.’ This in spite of everything is a automobile whose relatively crude type was first put to paper again in 1972, and whose genesis dates again to the dirty ‘Unimog’ truck of 1948. A automobile whose diesel powertrain helped outline the ‘constructed to final’ military-cum-civilian off-roader for greater than 40 years. A mannequin that shrugged off enforced retirement in 2005 just because gross sales had been too good, and which, by way of the dogged will of its North American prospects, successfully compelled Mercedes to start out formally exporting the G-Wagen to the U.S. in 2002.

Will a brand-new, shiny electrical powertrain erode the premium-yet-old world attract that has led to greater than half 1,000,000 gross sales since 1979?

“A number of our prospects discover a fully-electric G-Wagen fairly thrilling.”

“I feel in a number of methods, it’s been very well-received that the G-Class has gone all-electric,” explains Mercedes’ senior product supervisor Jason Santos. “We’re taking a historic automotive from the Seventies, constructed initially for army functions, gone civilian, and now options the brand new improvements of electrical mobility. I feel a number of our prospects discover that concept fairly thrilling.”

Sustaining The “Timeless” G-Wagen Look And Expertise

Unsurprisingly, Mercedes’ designers have dealt with the ‘G 580 with EQ Expertise’ EV with the softest of child gloves. The outside design, for example, appears to be like a lot because it did when first whittled in wooden again in 1973 (clay was thought of too malleable for the W460’s razor-straight edges). The standard spherical headlights, the raised indicator bulbs on the G-Wagen’s ‘shoulders,’ and the ratchet-like door handles have all survived, Mercedes’ designers daring solely so as to add a barely raised hood, a refined roof lip, and flared rear wheel arches with ‘air curtains’ – for aerodynamic and thus energy-conservation functions – for the brand new EV technology.

Purists could also be much less forgiving of the extra rectangular wheel mount on the tailgate, which now homes the automobile’s charging cables – sacrilege! – however there’s no denying that the “timeless” design, greater than half a century within the making, has not been sullied by this electrified ‘interloper.’

“That was essential for designers. With the G-Class, as you’ve most likely seen through the years, crucial factor is sustaining that ‘G’ look and the ‘G’ expertise. From the cabin, to the outside of the automotive, to even the unique design of the door handles. We wished to protect that conventional look, however we particularly wished to introduce new applied sciences for this technology. For a few years, we weren’t capable of introduce options like keyless go, or comfort entry, as a result of that wouldn’t… ‘go well with’ the G-Class. With the EQ, we expect prospects can be extra forgiving!”

– Jason Santos, Mercedes’ Senior Product Supervisor

No, The G 580 Is NOT The Quickest G-Wagen To-Date…

One of many largest gripes was at all times going to be the quad-motor electrical powertrain that replaces the G-Wagen’s celebrated turbodiesel and/or AMG-tuned V8. And whereas it could have been really easy for Mercedes’ engineers to overcorrect, the G 580 as a substitute boasts a really G-Wagen-esque 579-horsepower (145-horsepower per wheel), on par with the G 63 AMG however nonetheless lower than the fully psychological, Lewis Hamilton-inspired ‘HOF Sir Class.’

Okay, its 4.1-second 0-60 MPH dash time is quicker than most manufacturing G-Wagens (the HOF Sir Class manages it in 3.5 seconds). However in equity, few of the G 580’s predecessors might ever hope to match the immediacy of that 859 pound-feet of torque.

“The connection between the pedal and the driving dynamics of the automobile… you actually do really feel such as you’re in a gasoline G-Class.”

Relatively than uncooked, unbridled energy then, Mercedes is as a substitute turning into the electrified skid – virtually actually – by combining that subtly tweaked timeless design with technical innovation, designed to enhance what initially put the G-Wagen on the map to start with: off-road prowess.

“This was an important alternative to take a Mercedes product – a ‘cross-country automobile’ – that’s so iconic, and convey it as much as as we speak’s mobility. Introducing quad motors – two on every axle – improves the off-road capabilities of the unique G-Wagen. Now prospects are capable of make as much as a 360-degree flip in a single rotation with G-TURN. Having the ability to lock the aspect wheels and use the outside wheels to make sharper turns? That’s excellent in an off-road surroundings! And it’s been very well-received too.”

We do must flag the G-ROAR nevertheless, a software program that gives “an acoustic accompaniment,” from Mercedes’ personal internally-combusted again catalog, because the G 580 begins to speed up. It’s a gimmick, one which tries too arduous to attract consideration away from these polarizing electrical motors. ‘Belief us,’ says Jason…

“This automobile I feel is an efficient execution, and a very good compromise. Sure, it’s absolutely electrical, which some individuals aren’t all in favour of, however a number of our prospects are. And with the G-ROAR, our engineers have invested a number of time and vitality into this synthetic sound to duplicate the emotional expertise you usually have with a gasoline automotive. I’ve pushed it myself, and I need to say, it’s excellent. The connection between the pedal and the driving dynamics of the automobile… you actually do really feel such as you’re in a gasoline G-Class.

“And keep in mind, you may flip the system off if you wish to go full-electric and drive in silence too. It’s not like Mercedes has stated, ‘take it or go away it’ with G-ROAR. There’s a number of consideration concerned.”

Technical Innovation – Actually…?!

Right here’s the factor although: was the G-Wagen ever actually about innovation? Near two-dozen particular editions of the ‘W461’ technology G-Wagen for instance, had been produced throughout its THIRTY-year lifecycle. And but the automotive that was lastly put to mattress in 2022 by the ‘W464’ was largely identical, give or take a number of updates alongside the way in which, that rolled off Stuttgart’s conveyor belt in 1992.

Lunatic examples of the breed just like the six-wheeled AMG G 63 6×6 and the uber-lifted G 500 4×4[Squared] in the meantime grabbed loads of headlines, however had been constructed, not for his or her skill to interrupt the glass ceiling (that has at all times been the area of the S-Class limousine) however as a result of Mercedes knew it might promote them. Even the three-axle 6×6 was nothing new, Mercedes itself having constructed a six-wheeled ‘W13’ G1 method again in 1926!

‘Innovation’ then, Jason admits, is extra ‘Mercedes’ than ‘G-Wagen.’ However that doesn’t imply the G-Wagen shouldn’t come alongside for the experience…

“Even the AMG G 63 6×6 was nothing new, Mercedes itself having constructed a six-wheeled ‘W13’ G1 method again in 1926!”

“It’s a historic product and it’s received a giant tradition behind it. However we additionally wish to showcase that the model itself is shifting with know-how, and we’re not leaving any automobile behind. Even iconic vehicles which are off-road targeted, we nonetheless need them to showcase as we speak’s know-how. As a result of electromobility is the long run, and innovation is a part of what makes the Mercedes model ‘Mercedes.’ The G-Wagen isn’t any exception to that.”

However, Will An Electrified G-Wagen Promote In North America?

It’s been 42 years now for the reason that first examples of the ‘W460’ G-Wagen landed (very unofficially) in North America, courtesy of New Mexico-based importer Europa Worldwide: quick, lengthy and smooth prime variations of the G-Wagen had been being imported Stateside as early as 1983 through the colloquially-named ‘Grey Market.’ A U.S. ban on ‘informal imports’ in 1987 ought to have been the tip of the G-Wagen in North America. As an alternative, Europa’s prime brass made the courageous – and expensive! – resolution in 1988 to start formally certifying Germany’s Geländewagen to U.S. federal emissions and security requirements, a choice vindicated by the introduction of the extra refined, extra technically superior – and thus extra coveted – ‘W463’ for 1990.

Protected to say the gamble paid off. By 1993, Europa was the unique importer and distributor for G-Wagens in the USA. By 1997, growth and manufacturing of the extra highly effective and opulent, but nonetheless restricted, G 500 had raised the G-Wagen’s engaging inventory but additional. And by 1999, after footing a $1 million invoice for small quantity producer standing, Europa might legally promote G-Wagens throughout all 50 states. Stuttgart might ignore the clamoring now not, and in 2002, Mercedes lastly started providing the G 500 by way of its official U.S. sellers. 33 years later, the U.S. stays the mannequin’s largest market. By far!

“It’s going to be a really large alternative for us, particularly in North America.”

Might the ‘G 580 with EQ Expertise’ be the buffer that stops this momentum, nevertheless? Might electrification truly ‘spoil’ the G-Wagen in North America? Don’t financial institution on it!

“I feel it’s going to be a really large alternative for us, particularly in North America. We’re an SUV market, and the G-Wagen is an iconic automotive that individuals are invested in. There aren’t going to be any adjustments there, and actually, we’ve already had much more curiosity on this product than we initially estimated. Having the ability to supply this product on this market goes to be very very thrilling for us.”

Mercedes-Benz G 580 w/ EQ Expertise Specs