G-Wagon goes electric and it's fiercer than ever

News.com.au

2 days ago

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the most iconic cars on the planet.
So iconic that most Aussies simply call it the 'G-Wagon'.
The 'G' stands for Gelandewagen, which translates from German to 'cross-country vehicle'.
It was developed in the 1970s for its military use, but has driven from the battlefield to the boulevard, becoming a must-have for hip hop royalty, Hollywood elites, Toorak mums and Bondi entrepreneurs.
It's big, boxy, and cherishes its legacy. A fashion statement, more than a four-wheel drive.
Now, in true sustainable style, you can opt for electric power in – the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ technology.
There are plenty of misconceptions around electric vehicles.
The generalisations include that they're dull and have no grunt.
But the G 580 proves those assumptions wrong in the most stylish way.
I've seen what this EV can do and let me tell you, this is not your average EV.
I've watched it scale boulders, pirouette in the dirt, and plough through rivers.
Fun fact: It actually has more off-roading capability than the V8-powered G 63 AMG model.
Built on a traditional ladder-frame chassis with independent front suspension and a solid rear axle, the G 580 offers 432kW and 1164Nm or torque from four electric motors, one at each wheel.
An 'off-road cockpit' displays all the relevant functions, including tyre pressure, inclination, compass and torque to wheel.
The G 580 features new technology such as G-Steering, which helps reduce the turning circle by overdriving one side of the car, and G-Turn which lets you spin 360 degrees on the spot.
One of the standout features is its 'transparent bonnet' – a clever camera system that uses views from the front and side mirror to give drivers a virtual image of what's beneath the front of the car.
Displayed on the central screen, it's a unique piece of technology that helps in navigating steep trails, rocky terrain or hidden obstacles, which you wouldn't normally see from behind the wheel.
It can wade through 850mm of water, 150mm more than the G 63.
Underneath the battery is protected by a 26mm-thick casing made from 'top secret' materials, including carbon fibre.
Strangely for an off-roader, the G 580 doesn't come with a spare tyre.
That classic box on the back door? It's a fake, there to store charging cables, not a spare wheel.
But you can swap it out for a spare wheel at no extra cost.
Unfortunately, there's no space under the frunk but sufficient space in the boot (620L).
But let's be honest, how many G Wagon owners are taking this off-road?
At $249,900 for the base or $299,900 for the Edition One, it's more likely to be used for school drops, brunch runs or parked in high-end driveways.
Still, if you ever did need to cross the Simpson Desert or scale a rock wall, you know you could.
It's also not slow for a large SUV, with a 0-100km/h of just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 180km/h.
Driving this EV was such an experience and as someone who loves SUVs, the G 580 certainly shines just as bright as the combustion variant.
Underneath the iconic silhouette is a 116kW battery good for 567km of range (NEDC) plus 200kW DC fast charging that gets you from 10-80 per cent in just 32 minutes.
Inside, it's luxurious. Nappa leather, Burmester 3D sound, heated and cooled cup holders and the MBUX digital cockpit.
The Edition One steps it up a notch with standard 20-inch black alloy wheels, tinted lights, black exterior mirrors, carbon trim and blue contrast stitching.
A range of optional packages lets you customer the G 580 to suit your style.
But here's the best part, the G 580 might actually appeal to those who have always dreamt of owning a G-Wagon but couldn't justify the cost.
The G 580 is not only more affordable in terms of price but will also save owners in terms of fuel costs.
I think this could genuinely be perfect for inner-city parents, modern moguls or the urban adventurers who want something strong but sustainable.
It's still the iconic G-Wagon, just evolved.