Mercedes G 580 EQ 2024: The electric G-Class is ready!

Now it’s official: the long-awaited electric version of Mercedes’ off-roader is not ‘just’ called the EQG, as we expected after the 2021 concept car of the electric version of the beast that was introduced in the 1970s is officially named ‘G 580 with EQ technology’, or simply G 580 EQ.

A ladder chassis, but slightly more streamlined

Technically, the G 580 EQ still stands on the same level chassis as its combustion engine, which recently received a facelift. Just like the new Mercedes G-Class 2024, this G 580 EQ also pays attention to details to make its aerodynamics as good as possible. Of course it’s still as angular as can be, but the electric G-Class still tries to channel the wind a bit with a slightly higher hood, air vents in the wheel arches, new A-pillars and a special spoiler on the roof. The electric G-Class also stands out with its black grille, which can be illuminated as an option. The standard spare wheel in the boot door can also be converted into a storage space for your charging cables if you wish.

4 electric motors

In order to remain a benchmark in off-road driving (and justify its sky-high price), Mercedes hasn’t skimped on the electrification process of its G-Class. The G 580 EQ therefore has 4 electric motors of 108 kW (147 hp) each, which are individually controlled and each drive its own wheel. The electric G-Class no longer has technical differences, like the G-Class with a combustion engine, but it has a ‘real’ lock that should work more efficiently. Each wheel can receive the exact amount of torque it needs, depending on the situation.

1,164 Nm… and more than 3 tons!

The G 580 EQ also impresses with its combined output of 432 kW (588 hp) and 1,164 Nm, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The maximum speed of this mastodon of more than 3 tons (3,085 kg ready-to-run …) is limited to a reasonable 180 km / h.

Special features

This fully independent transmission gives the G 580 EQ some unique features: G-Turn, G-Steering and the intelligent crawl function. You can turn it on via a switch on the elegant dashboard of the G-Class, which usually closes the difference in the fuel version.

The G-Turn function allows the G 580 EQ to instantly turn its axis, just like a tracked vehicle. On smooth or slippery ground, the left and right wheels may turn in opposite directions.

The G-Steering may be less impressive, but it’s no less impressive off-road. This allows you to reduce the turning frequency on loose surfaces by controlling the torque to each wheel in a targeted manner. A kind of vectored torque distribution like in sports cars, but at lower speeds to allow the G 580 EQ to spin more briefly on its inside rear wheel in tight corners.

The intelligent traction function works like a natural traction assist, just like you find in most off-road vehicles. But due to the special characteristics of the electric motors and the short transmission on each motor, it should work better than before.

Autonomy electric G-Class

The G 580 EQ has a large lithium-ion battery built into the frame of the ladder chassis, with a useful capacity of 116 kWh. This means that the electric G-Class has a range of 473 kilometers in the best conditions according to the WLTP cycle. We’ll see what it means in practice… If the battery is flat, you can quickly charge it up to 200 kW to recharge from 10 to 80% in 32 minutes. The on-board charger can process up to 11 kW of alternating current.