Mercedes is now well into the EV segment and features a comprehensive lineup of non-combustion-powered models under the EQ designation. It is one of the oldest brands and is considered the pioneer of internal combustion vehicles. Naturally, it has given us many iconic models over the years, and the G-Class SUV is one of them.
One of the German brand’s most distinctive models dates back to 1979 and was initially developed as a light military transportation. Eventually, the boxy off-roader was offered to the public and became more luxurious while somehow retaining its rugged nature over the decades. The “Geländewagen” will live on as an EV in the form of the EQG. First unveiled at the 2021 IAA Mobility, it is scheduled to hit the market in 2024, and YouTube channel, Remove Before Race, got the chance to show us why it might be the best EV when it arrives.
Traditional Looks
The Mercedes G-Class, G-Wagen, Geländewagen, or however you want to call it, is one of the most recognizable cars ever made. Its boxy design is as unique as it is simplistic. While most modern EVs, except those based on combustion-powered models, take full advantage of the low position of the electric drivetrain, the G-Class remains true to the original in terms of aesthetics.
Frankly, you wouldn’t be able to tell if it’s an ICE-powered G-Class or the EQG until you get up close and personal with it. Yes, it still has the aerodynamic properties of a medieval castle, but it is a statement that denotes that not all EVs have to adhere to the same design standards. It’s also a statement that the propulsion of the future can be packaged in a more conventional way that also happens to be iconic and easily recognizable. It makes me wonder, why Mercedes even bothered wrapping the EQG with camouflage.
Four Electric Motors
At the time of writing this, the Mercedes EQG is about two years away, being readied to arrive for the 2024 model year. With this in mind, Mercedes is yet to quote any definite performance figures. We have seen a 536-horsepower (400-kilowatt) figure being mentioned in the past for the EQG 580, which means AMG variants will, easily, pack over 600 horsepower (447 kilowatts).
Apparently, the EQG 580 will not be sharing the electric drivetrain of other EV models like the Mercedes EQS 580, which has two electric motors – 333-horsepower (248-kilowatt) at the rear and 190-horsepower (141-kilowatt) at the front. Instead, the EQG will come with four electric motors – one for each wheel – and will be able to send up to 100 percent of its power to the rear wheels or to an individual wheel, similar to the AMG A45's Drift mode. Each of the four motors has its own, two-speed transmission. Together, they form four, independent electric drive units (EDUs). There's also the obligatory for EV off-roaders "tank turn", which allows the vehicle to rotate on the spot like a tank.
Off-Road Capabilities
The video from Remove Before Race clearly shows that electrifying the G-Wagen hasn’t taken away any of its impressive off-road capabilities. The four independent motors allow for great flexibility with regard to power distribution. More importantly, the system has torque vectoring and is able to mimic the differential locking of the combustion-powered G-Class.
With the internal combustion engine gone, and the electric drivetrain components positioned down low, the EQG will boast a much lower center of gravity, which should translate to superior agility and better weight transfer. The suspension remains the same as the combustion-powered Mercedes G-Wagen, meaning independent suspension at the front and a rigid axle at the rear. As this is, essentially, an EV version of an ICE-powered vehicle, the G-Wagen's traditional ladder frame was also kept.
According to the RBR host, Mercedes has taken appropriate measures to protect the underside of the EQG, which is where the batteries are located. The same channel featured a G-Class 4x4 Square, which was reportedly a lot bumpier than the EQG. So, it has adequate protection underneath that takes well to rock-scraping and various hits that are a common occurrence during off-roading. Built-in water safety also means that wading depth is, easily, comparable to the combustion-powered model.
To Sum It Up
While Mercedes has not given up on the internal combustion engine just yet, Remove Before Race reckons that this fully-electric G-Class is as good of an off-roader as the original model, easier to drive, and boasts better on-road capabilities. It seems like Mercedes is aiming to create the ultimate, all-terrain EV. The G-Wagen already has a ton of different versions, which is a testimony to how capable the platform is. The military transport was dressed in luxury and now, it’s receiving the drivetrain of the future in a way that doesn’t sacrifice its rugged nature. Come 2024, all rappers will be able to cruise silently in an all-electric G-Wagen.