THE ICONIC MERCEDES-BENZ GELäNDEWAGEN REVEALED AS AN ALL-ELECTRIC OFF-ROAD BEAST.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is an iconic car in the company’s portfolio and has been since the 1970s. G-Wagon is short for Geländewagen, which in turn is German for ‘cross-country vehicle’. As with a few off-roaders that have appeared over the years, the G-Wagon was initially conceived as a military-use vehicle and it was developed in collaboration with Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch. The aim of the partnership was to create a reliable and capable off-roader that could meet the strict requirements of military organisations around the world. The first generation was released 45 years ago in 1979 and it featured a body-on-frame construction, a ladder frame, three locking differentials, and a few engine options, including diesel and petrol variants. The G-Wagon's utilitarian design and exceptional off-road capabilities gave the thing a wider appeal, civilians wanting a consummate utilitarian and robust off-roader started buying them in droves. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the G-Wagon underwent many gradual refinements and updates, including a range of more powerful engines, improved suspension systems, and enhanced interior features. One thing that has kept the G-Wagon popular is that the boxy shape and design have managed to remain largely unchanged. The 2nd-generation was launched in 1990 and it received the same kinds of upgrades to the interior with updated styling elements and a range of modern convenience features. This version was around from 1990 all the way to 2018 with a few different model options available. Since then many changes have been visual, and for those with more money than sense, there’s the range that was passed through the hands of Mercedes-AMG and ended up with stupendously powerful engine options. The latest version brings the timeless G-Wagon into the future.
What you see here is the all-new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology, and while it’s packed with the latest technologies, this latest version still features a ladder frame, independent front suspension with a rigid axle at the rear and even though it’s now electrified it still has a selectable low range off-road gear reduction system. A big difference is the addition of batteries, and to afford the off-roader the same dynamics as the conventional powered models, the batteries have been integrated into the ladder frame. There’s ample battery power too, the high-voltage lithium-ion battery is rated at 116 kWh and is good enough to afford the G-Wagon a healthy range of up to 473 km. The G-Wagon is meant to be able to cross most terrains, when you’re out in the sticks a water crossing is almost inevitable, and so the underbody protection is made from a mix of new materials including carbon that helps protect the battery from physical impact and water. There are four electric motors, one for each wheel, and when combined they offer up a large amount of usable power - a healthy 432 kW. In typical electric motor fashion, the torque is quite high, its rated at a monstrous 1,164 Nm. The electric G-Class generates virtual differential locks via torque vectoring and also has unique driving functions for off-road use: G-TURN, G-STEERING and the intelligent off-road crawl function. There is a redesigned off-road control unit, a new OFFROAD COCKPIT and a “transparent bonnet” which enables a digital off-road experience. EVs are silent, this one features a new addition, the G-ROAR sound experience. This includes a G-Class-specific driving sound, an “aura” and various “event” sounds. The overall package looks great and manages to retain that iconic silhouette, but if we were buying, we’d want the blue one you see here, the limited edition launch model called the Edition One. Just look at it! It receives a host of special details and badging to make it stand out, and stand out it does.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the latest incarnation of Mercedes-Benz's iconic off-roader, the timeless G Wagon, which's now caught up to the future and features an all-electric powertrain: The Geländewagen. | The Rise of Electric. | Mercedes-Benz
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