Electric car: First impressions of the Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ off-road

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Softened ground with plenty of mud and water in puddles and hollows, slippery rocks on every incline. Just right for putting the electrically powered off-roader through its paces.

The G-Class is an automotive icon – it has been built virtually unchanged since 1979, at least in terms of appearance. Since then, over half a million have been sold. What has changed over the decades is primarily the technology and interior. Anyone climbing into one of the early models would experience painted sheet metal on the inside, a clunky 4-speed gearbox, and an engine that felt almost torque-free by today's standards. The noise level was so high that it raised the question of why a radio was installed in the first place. Today, there are powerful engines, soft upholstery and high-end audio.

With ladder frame and battery tray

However, a few basic technical elements have remained in the new G-Class. The ladder-type frame made of four-millimeter-thick sheet steel, for example. Today, however, the G-Class has independent front suspension instead of the more flexible rigid axle, even if it sounds strange. There is only one of these at the rear, even on the electric G.

The lithium-ion high-voltage batteries are fitted between the two longitudinal members of the frame. They come from the Mercedes-Benz EQS and, with 216 cells and twelve modules, have a storage capacity of 116 kWh. However, because they would not have fitted into the G-Class in this way, they were stacked: one layer of cooling, one layer of batteries, another layer of cooling, then another layer of batteries and another layer of cooling on top. The whole thing is encased in a solid and torsion-resistant shell, wrapped in a 26 mm thick shell made of a material mix with carbon components. Mercedes promises that the underbody can even crash onto a solid rock without damaging the batteries. The instructors were instructed to demonstrate this off-road.

Stable up to 35 degrees

The center of gravity is low, which is good for driving safety and also for a good possible lateral inclination: The car remains stable up to a tilt angle of 35  degrees. The climbing ability is 100 percent – given the right surface. Ideally, according to Mercedes, the batteries can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in just over 30 minutes. They offer an official range of 473 kilometers with a combined energy consumption of 30.4 to 27.7 kWh per 100 kilometers according to the WLTP.

The wheels of the electric G-Class are each driven by their motor. The four motors are integrated in the ladder-type frame and sit in pairs in a housing on the front and rear axle. Together, they generate an output of 432 kW. Mercedes-Benz puts the torque at 1164 Nm. There is no lack of power when moving forward, and the concept of separately driven and controllable wheels offers immense advantages, especially off-road. For example, each wheel can be electronically controlled individually depending on the surface and slip – ideal, for example, when some wheels can transmit more power and others less on stony ascents or in mud. Mercedes specifies the ground clearance between the axles as at least 250 mm.

Turning circle close to zero

It also enables previously unimagined driving maneuvers. Before a hairpin bend, for example, all you have to do is press the steering button in the cockpit. When turning into the bend, the rear wheel is then completely braked on the side of the bend and simultaneously accelerated on the opposite side. The turning circle is close to zero and the bend can be negotiated in one piece. A conventional G-Class can only manage such bends by maneuvering several times. The electric G can also be turned on the spot at the touch of a button – if the surface is loose. This is achieved by the wheels turning in opposite directions – similar to a tank. For intelligent off-road crawling, three different speeds between two and eight km/h can be set, allowing the Stromer to make its own way through the terrain. The driver only has to steer. The function of a conventional differential lock is replaced by torque vectoring.

The electric drive also opens up entirely new options when driving through water. On the left and right, the brown sludge sloshes almost up to the edge of the window; at the front, the hood, and the two blinker humps just protrude from the water – the G-Class rolls unimpressed towards the shore. The electric version has a maximum fording depth of 840 mm – 150 mm more than the combustion engine version. Conventional engines can also draw in water with the combustion air. If there is too much, there is a risk of serious engine damage because, unlike air, water cannot be compressed in the cylinder. If water hammer occurs, even pistons and connecting rods can be damaged. The electric motors don't care: they don't need air and are otherwise well protected against water.

Without trailer coupling and glass roof

The G 580 EQ weighs almost 3.1 tons, and the engineers had to fight hard to keep the total weight below the limit of 3.5 tons – otherwise many buyers would have had to obtain an extended driving license. For example, a trailer coupling and a glass roof were also omitted. Nevertheless, even in the lightest basic configuration, the payload remains at just over 400 kg. This corresponds to a load of five adults of average weight plus a man's handbag.

Inside, the all-electric G-Class hardly differs from a conventional version: comfortable seats, plenty of space, familiar controls – everything is classy and dignified, the sound system is of concert hall quality and there are plenty of assistance systems. The display in front of the driver provides relevant data when off-road and uses a camera to show what is under the front of the vehicle.

With a purchase price of at least 142,622 euros, the G 580 EQ is around 10,000 euros pricier than the G 500 with a 6-cylinder in-line engine. It only becomes significantly pricier with the AMG logo and V8. However, the "Edition One" of the G 580 EQ, which will be offered at the market launch, competes with this in terms of price – for a whopping 192,524 euros.

(fpi)