Mercedes-Benz India has just announced that the electric G-Class, officially known as the G 580 with EQ Technology, will make its India debut in production-spec on January 9, 2025. The compmay could also announce prices on the same day. The electric G-Class was previously shown in concept guise at the Bharat Mobility Show in January this year before it went on sale globally around mid-2024.
- G 580 gets subtle design tweaks over standard G-class
- Has four electric motors, one at each wheel
- Uses a 116kWh battery for 470km claimed range
Mercedes-Benz says the new G-Class electric is an “uncompromised” machine that can outperform its combustion-engined sibling when driving off-road. The lengthy moniker – G 580 with EQ Technology – represents a shift in the naming strategy for electric Mercedes vehicles, and also showcases how the G 580 was developed to be a G-Class that just happens to be battery powered.
Mercedes G 580: design updates and interior
The G 580 is virtually identical in design to the G 450d, with a subtle reworking of the grille and discrete EQ badges to set it apart. But there has been some work to maximise aerodynamic efficiency, including a new A-pillar design and a new spoiler lip on the front of the roof.
The G 580 also features a new aerodynamically sculpted bonnet, resulting in a drag coefficient of 0.44, down from 0.48Cd for the latest G 450d. The optional spare wheel holder mounted on the rear boot can be replaced with a similarly-styled charging cable holder. The interior, too, remains virtually unchanged from the regular G-Class, save for some switchgear having new EV-specific functions.
Mercedes G 580: powertrain, battery and off-road gear
The G 580 uses four electric motors, with one powering each wheel of the car. Each motor produces 147hp, combining for a maximum output of 587hp, along with a mammoth 1,165Nm of torque. Each motor also gets a separate 2-speed gearbox. Mercedes says the G 580 has a 0-100kph time of less than 5 seconds and a top speed of 180kph, but the real focus is on delivering off-road performance. The 116kWh battery, shared with the EQS, can be fast-charged at speeds of up to 200kW and gives a claimed range of 470km.
The G 580 retains the same independent front suspension, with a new rigid axle at the rear containing the integrated electric drive unit, and virtual rather than mechanical differential locks to offer optimised torque vectoring. There is a shiftable low-range transmission and it has a water wading capacity of 850mm, 100mm more than the regular G.
In addition, the G 580 offers three bespoke functions to aid off-road driving: a G-Turn, which allows it to rotate 720 degrees on the spot; G-Steering, which reduces the turning circle by enabling it to pivot around an individual wheel; and an off-road crawler function that can run as low as 2kph. The G 580.
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Mercedes-Benz G 580 EV: G-turn, G-steering and more EQ tech explained