Auto China: Mercedes-Benz launches all-electric 2024 G-Class

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, as we know it, will continue to exist in the electric age.

Making its world premiere at Auto China 2024 is no other than the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G 580 EV. It’s the three-pointed star’s first take in making the off-road icon run with zero emissions.

While it still bears the iconic G-Wagon body, the all-electric version has some unique features of its own. The front grille is shut for obvious reasons, and there’s an optional black panel for a meaner presence. The hood is also slightly raised, and there are air curtains in the rear wheel arch flares to reduce air resistance. Speaking of aerodynamics, the G 580 EV also has a new A-Pillar cladding and a spoiler lip on the roof.

Inside, the G 580 EV carries over the interior of its ICE-powered variants with nappa leather and ambient lighting as standard. It features the latest Mercedes-Benz MBUX  infotainment while the instrument screen has been redesigned along with its off-road control functions.

After being offered throughout the years with an engine with four to twelve cylinders, this particular G-Class will not have any pistons. But true to its off-road nature, the all-electric G 580 EV packs four individual electric motors – one for each wheel.

Developing a total system output of 587 PS and a whopping 1,164 Nm of torque, Mercedes-Benz calls the G 580 EV’s drivetrain as “individual-wheel drive”. The G 580 EV packs a massive high-voltage lithium-ion battery with a usable capacity of 116 kWh, giving the SUV an estimated range of up to 473 km in the WLTP cycle.

The all-electric G-Class accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 180 km/h. However, those are not the most important facts when it comes to an off-road SUV like this.

The all-electric G-Class features uses torque vectoring to generate virtual differential locks, which guarantees maximum traction and handling whether on or off-road. Along with the selectable three-speed intellingent off-road crawl function, the G 580 EV also features the G-Turn and G-Steering – basically a marketing jargon for a tank turn.

Much like its ICE siblings, the G 580 EV has a front independent suspension and a solid axle rear. But in terms of water wading, the EV has an edge as it gets a maximum rated fording depth of 850 mm, 150 mm more than the ICE-powered G-Class SUVs.

Mercedes-Benz says the G 580 EV retails in Germany at around EUR 142,621, which is around PHP 8.8 million in today’s exchange rates. The Edition One variant, on the other hand, is more expensive at EUR 192,524 (PHP 12 million). Should Mercedes-Benz PH decide offer the G 580 EV in the country in the future, we should expect higher price tags due to taxes and shipping costs.