For many who like to grind gravel and certain over boulders whilst surrounded through sumptuous napa leather-based — and will’t believe emitting even a unmarried molecule of carbon dioxide whilst doing so — the totally electrical Mercedes G-Wagen is for you. The very dear, boxy standing image is now even standing symbol-ier because of a 116 kWh battery and all-electric power educate, entire with 4 personally managed motors with a most overall output of 432 kW — or the similar of about 580 horsepower — and a max torque 1,164 Newton-meters. “I lately joked that it’s just like the Birkin bag of Mercedes,” Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius mentioned at the Decoder podcast again in 2022. “Everyone needs one, and the ready time is in point of fact lengthy. It will also be probably the most fascinating automobile in our portfolio.”However with nice energy comes nice expense. The Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ era (a clumsy identify for an unique EV, however I’ll permit it) will get started at €142,621.50 ($152,184.27), whilst the primary version trim is going for €192,524.15 ($205,432.89). That’s a top class over the fuel fashions, which normally get started at round $143,000. At release, the Version One trim can be unique to the USA marketplace and can arrive at dealerships in the second one part of 2024. The G 580, or EQG if you are going to, can be constructed on a ladder body thought, which the automaker says is prime to its off-roading. Like its gas-powered equivalents, the ladder body comprises an impartial entrance suspension with double wishbones, in addition to a newly advanced inflexible rear axle for a decrease heart of gravity. The battery will propel the EQG to an estimated 473 km (293 miles) at the WLTP usual, which will be even diminished when in line with the fewer constructive EPA score. The electrical G-Wagen will include a complete caravan of nifty circus methods, together with a tank flip (which Mercedes has branded its G-Flip) for sharper, on-axis rotations. G-Flip will paintings on free, unpaved roads and trails and simplest at low speeds. And a three-speed clever off-road move slowly serve as will stay the electrical SUV on the optimum velocity whilst touring over asymmetric surfaces. And Mercedes boasts that the EQG will stay solid on slopes as much as 35 levels and has a most fording intensity of 850 millimeters (33 inches). In fact, all that off-roading calls for further coverage for the battery, which is saved within the flooring of the automobile for that low heart of gravity. Each grain of gravel is a possible danger whilst you’re riding round with a two-tiered lithium-ion battery with 216 cells put in in 12 mobile modules between 3 cooling ranges beneath your toes. The underbody skid plate, which is exclusive to the electrical G-Elegance, is produced from “an clever subject material combine” that comes with carbon, which “will increase tension in comparison to possible choices produced from metal or aluminum,” the corporate says. It additionally guarantees long-lasting corrosion coverage and saves weight. The plate is 26 millimeters thick, weighs 57.6 kilograms, and is hooked up to the ladder body with greater than 50 metal screws. And in what’s changing into an an increasing number of standard factor to do with new EVs, Mercedes has determined to offer its electrical G-Wagen a pretend engine noise, branded right here as G-Roar. Impressed through the fuel lineup’s “emotional V8 sounds,” the G-Roar will use exterior audio system to emit a valid that simulates the “deep bass and sonorous tones” of its fuel-sipping sibling. The sounds can alternate when switching between power modes: Convenience produces a extra restrained pretend engine noise, whilst Recreation will hit you proper within the emotions (Mercedes additionally describes it as “emotional”). Even with an emphasis on off-roading over efficiency, the G 580 with EQ era (nope, nonetheless ungainly, going again to EQG) is not any slouch at the pavement. The electrical SUV can boost up from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and can be electronically restricted to a most velocity of 180 km/h (or 112 mph). The outside is just about just like the present type 12 months of gas-fueled G-Wagens. You do get illuminated accents at the grille, which additionally may also be changed with an non-compulsory blacked-out entrance panel. The bonnet is somewhat raised, and the rear wheel wells come with air curtains for higher aerodynamic efficiency. There’s additionally a brand new A-pillar cladding and a spoiler lip at the roof. However in a different way, it could be tricky to select the EV in an all-G-Elegance lineup. A rear-mounted design field appears to be like excellent for a spare tire, however open it up and — marvel! — it’s charging cables and different non-compulsory chocolates, like snow chains. In fact, if you wish to be a traditionalist, you’ll completely stow your spare tire in there. No judgment. Within, the electrical G-Wagen is sticking to what works, retaining the passenger clutch bar and surrounding the entirety with carbon fiber. There are many bodily buttons, and the air vents are delightfully tactile and round. The pedals are coated in raised rivets as a result of, you understand, off-road. And the 12.3-inch virtual show runs on Mercedes’ well-received MBUX infotainment gadget — but in addition helps Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Rear-seat passengers can revel in numerous media on their private 11.6-inch touchscreens which might be fastened at the again of the entrance seats. Content material may also be moved from the rear to the entrance show — however video gazing and web surfing are reserved for parked mode simplest. The electrical G-Wagen first emerged in thought shape again in 2021 and alternatively in 2022, in spite of the corporate’s loss of readability round manufacturing plans. (To compensate, Mercedes launched a ridiculously top thought promotional video set in a Seventies-era area opera with extraterrestrial beings.)However since then, there were numerous electrical off-roaders, together with the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevy Silverado EV, Hummer EV, and Rivian R1T and R1S. Whether or not any of those automobiles in fact spend a unmarried 2nd doing actual off-road stuff — versus choosing up grass fertilizer at The House Depot — is totally up for debate. The electrical G-Wagen will be no other, because the boxy SUV has all the time been noticed extra continuously within the driveways of the über wealthy than at the trails in Moab. Nonetheless, the EQG is an indication that whilst it has pulled again a few of its early predictions about electrification, Mercedes nonetheless understands that even its tremendous luxurious standing symbols will want to cross electrical.