New chapter for the “stock market tractor”.
An electric G-Class in a position few other modern G-Classes will experience. In this price range, there are very few cars that find their way away from the silky-soft asphalt on well-maintained motorways. But it could do this.
Camera Mercedes-Benz AG
The short version
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- Mercedes has officially launched an electric version of their G-Class, also known as Geländewagen.
- They promise that the electric version will have the same or better properties as the traditional fossil version.
- New electric steering functions, such as G-turn and G-steering, come with the new model.
- The price of the electric G-Class has not yet been revealed, but the fossil version is in the price range of NOK 3.5-5.5 million.
- The car has four independent motors, one for each wheel.
- Despite its off-road heritage, it cannot tow a trailer due to the car’s high weight.
- The model also has protected batteries placed in the frame under the car for extra safety.
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An electric G-Class, or Geländewagen if you will, has been on the cards for some time. Now the car is finally official.
Mercedes promises that the properties will be as good or better in the electric version, as in the fossil fuel that many are already familiar with.
There will also be new electric steering functions, with sounding names such as G-turn and G-steering. This has already been demonstrated with prototypes of the car in Las Vegas. There they had to turn around on a wet patch of asphalt. The function is actually designed for loose surfaces – and hardly likes dry asphalt.
Thus, the electric G-class has already been viral both on Youtube and Tiktok in the past.
The stated range is up to 473 kilometers.
The fossil version is a giant animal
The G-class is extremely expensive today. We are talking about prices between NOK 3.5 and 5.5 million for the classic fossil car. This is the area you are probably more used to thinking of Lamborghinis and Ferraris than of a slightly old-fashioned looking Mercedes watch SUV.
We have not received the Norwegian prices for the G-Class yet, but in Germany the starting price is stated at 142,600 euros – or NOK 1.67 million. “Edition One”, which comes first, will however be more expensive, at 192,500 euros, or NOK 2.25 million.
Both parts are significantly more affordable than today’s fossil variant, although this is absolutely the highest price range for “regular” electric cars. Norwegian prices will come at the start of sales, the importer promises.
A new square box on the rear door serves as additional luggage space. There is no “frunk” or extra luggage compartment in the front, as many electric cars have.
Camera Mercedes-Benz AG
More reasonable competitors
Competitors for those who need size, without having ambitions to drive the potato grower all the way to the cabin – are, for example, the Tesla Model X, a car that meets similar transport needs and has four-wheel drive for winter driving.
Mercedes-Benz itself also has more “normal” SUVs, including the EQE SUV, which is a huge car from just over NOK 1.3 million. The Volvo EX90 and Kia EV9 are also models that are more pragmatic than showy orientated for you who just need lots of space and comfort, without the signal effect of a car that has looked the same for 45 years.
You can choose to have a spare wheel at the back instead of the “design box” with extra space.
Camera Mercedes-Benz AG
The legacy of the legendary all-terrain vehicle
Here there is a motor for each wheel, and all the wheels can move independently of each other to achieve the G-turn and G-steering functions. There is also low gear per engine, per axle, for even better control. Important for an electric car, plenty of torque from each engine.
Of things that most cars do not get, for example the ground clearance of at least 25 centimetres.
One limitation that you might not expect on this type of car is that it cannot tow a trailer. In this case, a trailer hitch is not an option according to German Autogefühl (YouTube). It must be related to the fact that the weight is already high.
MBUX screens with their own off-road mode and Burmester sound system. Here, the luxury is spread thickly – and before we know the price of the electric version, we know that the EQS-SUV in the Maybach version is actually cheaper than a fossil G-class.
Camera Mercedes-Benz AG
Withstands almost a meter of water
Should you be surprised by the conditions in Bergen, the car can actually wade up to 850 millimeters – almost a meter – in water and mud without being damaged. Impressive considering that the latest news from the US is that Cybertruck doesn’t like car washes that much.
Should you need it, the G-wagon can withstand driving on a 35 degree incline. In and out of slopes, it can withstand 32 and 30.7 degrees respectively.
Perfect when it’s a bit steep in all directions, that is.
It is of course possible to buy the G-Class in different colours.
Camera Mercedes-Benz AG / Mercedes-Benz AG
Extra protection for the battery
Mercedes has placed the battery inside the frame under the car. And since batteries are vulnerable, they boast of having encapsulated it extra well. Here, there are 26 millimeters which partly consist of carbon, the press release states.
Next to a more modern “electric car grill”, with black plastic and lights across – as we know from Mercedes’ other model range, much of the car presentation is about the similarities to the model series’ previous editions.
Here, contrary to normal, you choose to brag about door handles that stick out and indicators that sit on the outside of the car. You know – the opposite of the minimalism many electric cars adorn themselves with. It should look a bit rough in the G class.
Listen to the “G roar”
It is unclear whether Mercedes let things go by putting “G-” in front, but the marketing department did not give up until they christened the electric car sound “G-roar”.
It should imitate the sound of the powerful V8 engines found in previous generations of Geländewagen.
Large space and high price notwithstanding – Model X starts in the mid-900,000s, and is significantly cheaper than what you can expect the G-class to cost in Norway.
Camera Stein Jarle Olsen, Tek.no
Fast-ish
On the motorway, neither ground clearance nor G-roar applies. Here it is more exciting that the car does 0-100 in 4.4 seconds – a decent time for a car about as aerodynamic as a chest of drawers.
However, it is almost against normal – the same acceleration that you find in the fossil counterpart. Also the Mercedes Benz AMG G63 in the current generation does 0-100 in 4.4 seconds
Volvo’s SUVs aren’t really known for being “budget cars”, but at around a million for a luxurious seven-seater, this is probably very good value for money compared to Mercedes’ new beast.
Camera Stein Jarle Olsen/Tek.no
Luxurious cabin cruiser
An enormous luggage compartment of 1990 liters in addition to the possibility of a separate luggage compartment outside the rear door instead of the classic spare wheel box is included.
And on the way to the cabin with both civilized angles of attack and hopefully the absence of flooding – owners of the new G wagon can appreciate the sound from the exclusive Burmester system – a hi-fi brand Mercedes also uses in other more expensive models.
The MBUX system on the screens has been added “Offroad Cockpit”, where you should be able to easily control offroad functions such as low gear and the adaptive chassis.
