Beijing show: Benz rips the covers off 432kW 3.0-tonne electric G-Class and it’s coming to Australia

April 25, 2024April 25, 2024 Bruce Newton 10140 Views G-Class, G-Wagen, G580, Mercedes-Benz

That very symbol of petrol-driven excess the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has gone electric.

Unveiled at both the Beijing show and in a star-studded affair in Los Angeles, the G580 with EQ Technology (yep that’s its name) is expected to make it to Australia before the end of 2024.

Pricing? Great question. Considering the ICE version is only available as a $400,000 (approx) Mercedes-AMG G63 in Australia these days, it will be lots.

Powered by four e-motors – one each located close to each wheel with its own transmission – the G580 makes 432kW and a mammoth 1164Nm. That’s only 2kW more than the AMG but also up an incredible 314Nm.

The G580 is claimed to accelerate from 0-100km in just 4.7 seconds and its top speed is limited to 180km/h.

Feb by a 116kWh high voltage battery pack, the G580 is claimed to have a 473km WLTP range and average consumption of 27.7-30.3kWh (yep, you read that right).

It also has a claimed DC fast charging rate up top 200kW and 11kW AC charging.

But perhaps the most incredible stat of all is it weighs in at an extraordinary 3085kg.

The G580 uses a modified version of the orthodox G-Class’ ladder frame and is visually similar externally to the facelift revealed for the petrol model in March.

It is intended to be a serious off-roader with low range gearing, double wishbone independent front suspension, a De Dion live rear axle, virtual diff locks generated by torque vectoring and an off-road crawl function.

Known as the EQG throughout its development, the vehicle’s production title introduces a new naming convention for Benz EVs, which will see them revert to orthodox names with EQ denoting they are battery-powered.