Electric Power Meets Off-Road Majesty
The iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class goes electric with the G580 EQ, transforming its legendary off-road prowess with four independent motors, true torque vectoring, and a two-speed gearbox. Forget awkward 12-point turns—this EV spins, fords deep waters, and delivers 579 hp with 859 lb-ft of torque, all while offering the serene silence only a battery-powered G Wagon can provide. DC fast charging up to 200 kW and a 239-mile range make it practical for urban adventures, too. The G-Class has always been a symbol of luxury; now, it’s an electrified off-road marvel.
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Transcript
00:00:08 The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been a favorite of the rich and famous for decades. Never mind the fact that this is a proper off-roader. Unfortunately, most G-Classes spend their entire lives on boring asphalt next to very expensive shops. Today I am in the electric G-Class, also known as the G Wagon, but technically known as the Mercedes G580 with EQ
00:00:43 technology. EQ technology delineates electric vehicle in Mercedes-Benz's world. Um, and I'm here to tell you that this G Wagon, this is the best G Wagon. It's better because it ships with four motors and a twospeed gearbox. It has a proper low gear. Those four motors equal 579 horsepower and 859 pound- feet of torque that can propel the vehicle from 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds. The AMG gas
00:01:11 version, the more powerful gas version of this vehicle, is quicker from 0 to 60. It'll do it in 4.2 seconds versus 4.7 for the EV version. But once you get under 5 seconds, the average person probably won't notice half a second difference from 0 to 60. That said, really this vehicle for off-road capabilities, this is the better vehicle. On the trail, you don't have to
00:01:37 worry about locking the differentials on the front and rear axles because, well, there is no differential because every single wheel has its very own motor, which means you get true torque vectoring. Oh, and of course, thanks to those motors, for each wheel, you can do this. This is the G-T. It's only for off-roading, but it's great when you have to turn around uh because you hit
00:02:00 the end of a trail or if you have a really tight turn you need to make and it's fun. It's really, really fun. Is spinning around on a dirt trail ridiculous fun? Well, yes. Is this a real feature that people actually use? Also, yes. I've been on many trails where you're driving along and suddenly you encounter a fallen tree or maybe a gate is locked and now typically in the
00:02:25 gas version I would have to do a 12point turn in order to turn around and go back the way I came. With this vehicle I can just spin around and head back home. It's not just the ability to spin in a circle. That's makes this better for off-roading. This vehicle actually ford through deeper water than the gas vehicle. The electric G Wagon will forward through 33.5 in of water. That's
00:02:49 nearly 6 in more than the gas version because you don't have to worry about exhaust. You don't have to worry about, you know, putting a snorkel on the vehicle because it's electric. There is no exhaust. It's just battery motors go. The downside is that this is a premium vehicle, but it's still rolling on a 400vt system platform. Fortunately, Mercedes is maxing out that platform
00:03:12 with DC fast charging supported up to 200 kW and AC charging topping off at 11 kW. The newest Mercedes EV platform is 800 volts, but this vehicle was announced and available before all of that. So, don't be surprised to see an 800vt G Wagon in a few years. As for range, the EPA says that this vehicle, this version of the G Wagon, will travel up to 239 mi before it depletes its
00:03:38 battery. Now, that's not great, but also I'm driving a big block. It is a big square off-road vehicle. It is about as aerodynamic as a brick. Um, and really for most of the people who are looking to buy a G Wagon, 239 mi, that's likely more than enough range for them to go down to the very expensive corner store where they have cheeses from other planets. I I assume I don't know what
00:04:10 rich people buy. It's something that most people don't really talk about when it comes to driving EVs, especially off-road, and that's that well, you can hear nature. There's not a big loud engine noise. It's just very quiet. Be right back. I'm going to go try to sneak up on some deer. For more information about the
00:04:39 MercedesBenz G580 with EQ technology, be sure to click the link below in the description. And for more coverage of automotive, sustainability, and EVs, be sure to subscribe to SAPE International.