The Mercedes G Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary by Unveiling Its Electric Version in Ciudad Rodrigo

The Mercedes G-Class epitomises the rugged and politically incorrect 4x4 that has nonetheless stood the test of time.

Produced in series since 1979 as the "Geländewagen" (literally "off-road vehicle" in German) and later as the "G-Class" from 1993, it has retained its boxy, non-aerodynamic profile, along with its exceptional on and off-road capabilities. Almost handcrafted, around forty thousand units are produced annually at the Austrian Magna Steyr factory in Graz.

This forty-fifth anniversary was the perfect occasion for an equal number of these legendary off-roaders from Spain, Portugal, and Andorra to gather on January 16 and 17 in a spectacular event organised by Mercedes Benz Iberia in Ciudad Rodrigo, a historic fortress city in Salamanca, a link between Spain and Portugal.

The forty-five G-Class owners participated in various activities organised throughout the city and also undertook different off-road tests specially designed for the occasion.

On Saturday, the participating vehicles gathered in the city's Plaza Mayor, an event attended by Reiner Hoeps, President of Mercedes-Benz Iberia, Holger Marquardt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Portugal, along with the Mayor of Ciudad Rodrigo, Marcos Iglesias.

The gathering served as the backdrop for the unveiling of the new fully electric G 580 EQ version. Technically, it continues to be based on a ladder frame chassis like its recently modernised thermal siblings. Like the new Mercedes G 2024, this G 580 EQ also refines some of its details to maximise aerodynamics. Of course, the unmistakable cubic appearance of the line is still clearly recognisable. However, the electric G-Class attempts to cut through the wind with (a little) more grace, incorporating a slightly raised bonnet, "air curtains" in the wheel arches, redesigned windscreen pillars, and a specific roof spoiler. The electric G-Class also stands out aesthetically thanks to the illuminated black grille offered as an option. The traditional spare wheel located on the exterior rear can be transformed into a storage box for charging cables if desired.

To maintain its status as a reference in off-roading (and justify its price starting at 196,221 euros), Mercedes has, of course, spared no resources in electrifying its G-Class. The G 580 EQ is equipped with four electric motors, each with 147 HP, individually controlled and each directly driving a wheel. The electric G-Class thus dispenses with the mechanical differential locks of its thermal siblings but features an even more effective "virtual" lock. In fact, each wheel can receive exactly the torque it needs based on its grip conditions.

To impress the gallery, the G-Class 580 EQ can also make headlines thanks to its combined 432 kW (588 HP) and its peak torque of 1,164 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. However, the top speed of this giant of over 3 tonnes (3,085 kg in operation...) is "reasonably" set at 180 km/h.

The paddles behind the steering wheel allow control of the level of retention and recovery of electrical energy in five levels. There are three driving programs for road use (Comfort, Sport, and Individual) and two for off-road use (Trail and Rock).

This individually controlled transmission system offers the G 580 EQ some functions activated via the switches on the luxurious G-Class dashboard. The most spectacular is undoubtedly the G-Turn function, which makes the wheels on one side turn in the opposite direction to those on the other, allowing the G 580 to spin on its vertical axis, like a tracked vehicle.

A slightly less spectacular solution, but interesting off-road, is the G-Steering, which allows the turning radius to be reduced on slippery surfaces through specific torque control on the different drive wheels. A vectorial torque distribution, as in sports cars, but at reduced speed to allow the vehicle to turn more effectively around the inner rear wheel when manoeuvring. Or the Intelligent Creep, a smart slow-speed function with three speeds (two fixed and one variable) that works like cruise control, but off-road. It maintains optimal propulsion, and the driver only has to focus on guiding their electric G along the right path.

The proverbial true off-road qualities of the thermal engine G-Class are, in some aspects, surpassed by the electric G 580 EQ. The availability of a motor on each wheel allows for interesting functions when leaving the tarmac. The Torque Vectoring function is superior to a mechanical differential lock. But that's not all. The capabilities announced by Mercedes are astonishing.

The G 580 can tackle slopes with a 100% incline, an approach angle of 25°, a departure angle of 30.7°, and a breakover angle of 20.3°; the ground clearance reaches 25 centimetres, one more than the thermal, and the wading depth gains 15 centimetres, allowing it to traverse water zones with a height of 85 centimetres.

The G 580 EQ is equipped with a lithium-ion battery integrated into its ladder-type chassis. It has a usable storage capacity of 116 kWh: one of the largest batteries on the market. This guarantees a theoretical WLTP range of 473 kilometres. Once you run out of battery, it is possible to enjoy fast charging of up to 200 kW to go from 10 to 80% charge in 32 minutes. The integrated charger handles 11 kW of alternating current.

The energy accumulator is protected by a rigid box and an anti-shock plate made of carbon fibre, with a thickness of 26 mm and a weight of 57.6 kilos. The battery is thus perfectly protected against water, mud, and impacts, a protection that even allows this G to "slide" on its underbody without issue in certain circumstances.

Ciudad Rodrigo, as a border town, once played a defensive role, but today it is a meeting point between Spain and Portugal. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, an almost "prehistoric" 4x4, becomes 100% electric with the G 580 EQ: a clash of cultures but, at the same time, a meeting point offering new capabilities to travel across any terrain, through nature, in silence and without emissions.