[stein_325i]

Stronger than time: Mercedes-Benz G-Class ready for the age of e-mobility

Originally Posted by Daimler Media

Sep 5, 2021 | Stuttgart The Concept EQG provides an exciting preview of the all-electric version of the legendary all-terrain model series.

With the Concept EQG, Mercedes-Benz presents the near-production study of an all-electric model variant of its utilitarian off-road icon. Visually, the concept car combines the unmistakably striking look of the G-Class with selected design elements typical of all-electric models from Mercedes as contrasting highlights. The 4x4 qualities of the "G," which have always set the highest standard, will not only find their way into the age of electric mobility, but will be developed even further in some areas. The Concept EQG thus offers a promising preview of what a Mercedes-Benz G-Class with battery-electric drive will be capable of.

At the world premiere of the current model generation of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class in Detroit in January 2018, Hollywood great Arnold Schwarzenegger, star guest and ardent "G" fan, elicited a promise from the then Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Dieter Zetsche, that was unexpected for many at the time: The upcoming electrification of all model series would of course also include the G-Class. Just under three and a half years later, Mercedes-Benz is making good on this promise and presenting the Concept EQG, a near-production study of an all-electric G-Class. "Wherever market conditions permit, Mercedes-Benz will be ready to go fully electric by the end of the decade," emphasizes Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and COO of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "With this strategic step from 'Electric first' to 'Electric only,' including sustainable production and the CO2-neutral life cycle of our batteries, we are accelerating the transformation to a zero-emission and software-driven future. We want to inspire our customers to switch to electric mobility with convincing products. An icon like the G-Class fulfills this task perfectly."

The origins of the successful G-Class model date back to 1979. For more than four decades, the "G" has thus embodied the luxury off-road vehicle from Mercedes-Benz. The exterior appearance of the Mercedes-Benz off-road legend has changed only marginally over the entire period. Even as part of the extensive redesign in 2018, which brought with it the biggest technological leap in the model's history, Mercedes-Benz only cautiously developed the unmistakably striking design further. For good reason: because its once purely functional components have long since become iconic style elements. These include, for example, the distinctive door handle and characteristic closing sound, the robust exterior protection strip, the exposed spare wheel on the rear door and the eye-catching front turn indicators.

Classic G-Class design language with quotes from Mercedes-EQ design
The Concept EQG is also very much in the design tradition of the model series and can be recognized at first glance as a G-Class. The near-production study adopts the G-Class' angular silhouette including its iconic elements. Illuminated stripes make the robust exterior protective strips stand out visually. The separating edge of the attractive two-tone paint finish – gloss black on top, gloss aluminum beam on the bottom –
runs in the area of the front end directly under the overlying bonnet, thus emphasizing this design feature even more clearly.

The front view of the Concept EQG looks familiar, not least because of the typical round headlights. Instead of a radiator grille, as on the conventionally powered model versions, this all-electric variant features a continuous deep black radiator grille. In this Black Panel Grille, the illuminated star with 3D effect sets a striking accent. Around it, the animated pattern of "round squares" (squircle pattern) in the familiar blue of the Mercedes-EQ models creates a visual link. An all-round illuminated band wraps the Black Panel, which, alongside the white illuminated circles in the exterior mirror housings, complements the daytime running light graphic of the headlights.

The Concept EQG rides on 22-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels in an exclusive design. Instead of the usual spare wheel cover, there is a lockable box with white illuminated accents on the rear door, whose design is reminiscent of a wallbox. This could be used, for example, to store the charging cable within easy reach. "We're travelling into the future with the new EQG! This car epitomizes the fusion of state-of-the-art off-road capabilities with the dawn of electric mobility that we all need to strive for. It stands for our relentless pursuit of the utmost desire and luxury. For us, the most important thing was to keep the full G- Class DNA but beam it into the EQ age: Like the G-Class but different. Modern accents like the white LED technology and a wallbox on the rear of the vehicle illustrate the difference." says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group.

Another highlight of the exterior design is the flat roof rack in high-gloss black. The central element of its minimalist design is the centrally shaped "G," which is unmistakable in the top view. The white LED strip integrated into the front edge of the roof rack is a modern interpretation of the searchlight indispensable for demanding off-road adventures – and thus underlines the seriousness of the Concept EQG in this area: not despite of, but precisely because of its all-electric drive. Another LED strip in red finish forms the rear end of the roof rack.

"We are proud of the more than 400,000 'G's we have produced to date," emphasizes Dr. Emmerich Schiller, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz G GmbH and Head of the Off-Road Vehicle Product Division at Mercedes-Benz AG. "In its more than 40-year model history, the G-Class has always used the most modern and suitable drive technology at the time – from the pre-chamber naturally aspirated diesel of the early days to the AMG 4.0-liter V8 in the current top model, the G 63. Against the background of our 'Electric only' strategy, the electrification of this off-road legend is simply the logical next step – and an absolutely fascinating project. Our icon is and remains 'stronger than time' in every respect."

An uncompromising off-roader – precisely because of the electric drive system
The Concept EQG is clearly a "G" not only in terms of design, but also because of its inner values, making it an uncompromising off-roader. Its body is also based on the robust ladder frame. The chassis design remains extremely off-road capable, as is typical of the G-Class: with independent suspension on the front axle and a rigid axle at the rear, newly developed for the integration of the electric drive. With four electric motors close to the wheels and individually controllable, the vehicle will offer unique driving characteristics both on- and off-road. As with any real 4x4, the Concept EQG's off-road reduction can be activated via a shiftable 2-speed gearbox in order to meet the high "G"-specific off-road requirements with confidence.

Equipped in this way, the fully electrically powered version of the G-Class will of course face the legendary test track on the 1445-meter high Schöckl mountain in Graz at the end of its development into a series model. Peppered with gradients of up to 60 degrees, the 5.6-kilometer route has always been regarded in the international off-road scene as one of the world's greatest challenges for man and technology. After successfully conquering it, the electric "G" will also be able to adorn itself with the "Schöckl proved" quality certificate that is obligatory for the 463 series. And like its conventionally-driven brothers, it will also shine with a climbing capacity of up to 100 per cent on suitable ground.

The design advantages of the electric drive also play into its favor, making it ideally suited for off-road vehicles and ambitious off-road operations. The batteries integrated into the ladder frame ensure a low center of gravity. Since the electric motors provide their maximum torque practically with the first revolution, an all-electric off-road vehicle like the Concept EQG and the later production model boast enormous pulling power and controllability – which also proves to be an advantage on steep slopes and deep terrain.

[swagon]

They'll do anything to keep the G-class brand alive, much like Porsche and their 911.

[dgoldenz]

That looks so much worse than the current G wagon. RIP

[psuibmw]

It will do very well in Dubai

[Humdizzle]

yeah it'll sell very well. torquey and quiet. nobody takes these off road.

[Germanauto]

Ugly/gimmicky compared to the regular G wagen but it'll sell well.

[stein_325i]

[Torgus]

barf

[Sublime00]

Gotta admit, it looks better than the new X7

[stein_325i]

2024 Mercedes EQG Does Tank Turn In Official Video

Originally Posted by Motor1

Mercedes held a conference last week during which it outlined plans to push further into luxury territory by chasing higher profit margins rather than volume. To that end, more than 75 percent of investments will be going into models from the C-Class segment above while the number of compact cars will go down from seven body styles to four. Going forward, the company's five pillars are traditional Benz models, G-Class, EQ, Maybach, and AMG.

We've already discussed the entry-level electric compact car, EQE SUV, Maybach SL, and the AMG Vision Concept, but what about the G-Class? Well, the "Economics of Desire" presentation included a short clip of the EQG and its party trick – a "G" turn. It is Mercedes speak for a tank turn by doing a 360-degree turn on its own axis. A prototype of the electric off-roader with the current model's body was briefly shown spinning around by turning wheels on one side in the opposite direction of the others.

The so-called "G" turn will be possible by fitting the EQG with four electric motors, one for each wheel. Mercedes also confirmed the G-Class without a combustion engine will feature an independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle developed specifically for electric vehicles.

The tank turn functionality is not new in the automotive industry as Rivian had a demo back in 2019. However, it's still not on the R1T as implementing the system into the production truck is proving to be more difficult than originally believed. It's unclear if/when the electric pickup will get the technology, but in the meantime, it looks as though Mercedes has cracked the code. The EQG is expected to hit the streets around 2024.

Another major feature the electric G-Class will get is an optional lithium-ion battery pack with silicon anode chemistry to achieve a greater range thanks to higher-density cells. Mercedes recently said the technology developed by Sila will be offered around the middle of the decade. The engineers are targeting a 20-40 percent increase in energy density to surpass 800 Wh/l at cell level and consequently increase the range "by a significant amount."

When Mercedes unveiled the Concept EQG in September 2021 at the IAA Munich show, it also talked about a shiftable two-speed gearbox featuring a crawler gear. Corroborated with the tank turn, it can only mean the zero-emissions G will live up to the legend created by the gas-guzzling model.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

2024 Mercedes EQG Does Tank Turn In Official Video

Soon to be seen doing this at junctions in Russian cities and in the deserts outside Dubai.

Manufacturers desperately trying to make up for the lack of a loud ICE with these shite gimmicks. Crab walk, tank turn, what's next? It seems to me that these 'heritage' brodozers are going to be even more ostentatious and crazy once they go full BEV. And thousands of pounds heavier, which is perfectly 'green' and great for every day use, obviously.

[stein_325i]

MotorTrend
Motor1
Edmunds

Originally Posted by Motor1

What’s undeniable as the EQG silently, effortlessly, clambers, climbs, and descends terrain which on foot would require ropes, is that it has as much (or arguably more) off-road ability as its combustion relations. The tranquility of the silent operation is more in keeping with the remote beauty of the landscape we’re driving it over. Interestingly, too, after a lengthy afternoon session of off-road driving it’s used only around seven to eight percent of its charge, thanks to recuperation on the steep descents.

Few owners, if any, will ever test the EQG so aggressively, but that’s no different than the supercars that circulate upmarket ZIP codes rather than race tracks. This early access to the EQG prototype confirmed little exact technical detail, but was nevertheless a hugely revealing experience. With two more years of development and finessing, the production ready EQG promises to be very special indeed, and as our ride has demonstrated, a proper G-Wagen.

[chassis]

Interesting. Seems like a good opportunity for in-wheel motors. I wonder why MB didn't go down that route, seeing as how no established carmaker has done it yet.

[stein_325i]

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

That looks so much worse than the current G wagon. RIP

x2, the front of this looks like a toy truck. I hate the future.

Edit - I take that back. The entire thing looks like a toy. I'm constantly amazed that these designs are the best manufacturers can come up with for EVs. The Taycan looks so damn good and every single other EV on the market looks just awful.

[Efthreeoh]

But hey, it will keep all those Euro folks from hydro-locking their cars crossing the Rufford Ford...

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by psuibmw

It will do very well in Dubai

Obvious by the sand-tread tires in the reveal videos.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by chassis

Interesting. Seems like a good opportunity for in-wheel motors. I wonder why MB didn't go down that route, seeing as how no established carmaker has done it yet.

Heck of sealing issue for an off-road 4x4 I'd say, plus the unsprung weight issue.