Mercedes-Benz has revealed the Australian pricing and specifications of its upcoming G wagon electric off-roader, bringing one of the toughest-looking EVs to the market.
The new G wagon will be offered in a single electric variant called the G 580, a quad-motor SUV with 432 kW and 1,164 Nm of peak torque as well as a 116 kWh battery pack, delivering up to 567 km of NEDC range. That is likely to be closer to 450 km on a single charge in the real-world.
All this comes with a price tag of $249,900 before on-road costs, putting it on the pricier end of the Mercedes-Benz EV lineup.
Coming back to the 116 kWh battery pack, it’s based on a 400 V architecture, which delivers DC fast-charging speeds of up to 200 kW.
The G 580’s design picks up queues from the original G wagon which first came to market in 1979, impressing drivers for its tough off-road capability and distinctly rugged styling.
This latest version comes with a new 26 mm underbody protection, for those wanting to take it off sealed roads. It comes in at 4.62 m in length, making it shorter than the current Tesla Model Y.
The G 580 is equipped with multiple off-roading features. Two of which are highlighted by the brand to really help owners get the most out of their car when off-roading.
The first is the G-steering function which allows the wheels to turn at different speeds to allow for slight oversteer, depending on the track condition.
There is also the G-turn function which can allow the wheels on the left and right side to spin in opposite directions, allowing the vehicle to turn on the spot while off-roading on loose surfaces.
Another feature for serious off-roaders is the car’s three-speed offroad crawl function which mimics cruise control while taking on rough terrain.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the G 580 can easily transverse 45-degree slopes and drive along 35-degree angles.
There are also Trail and Rock off-road programs designed for making it easier for owners to take it off-road.
When facing tough terrain, there is a low range off-road gear reduction on offer, thanks to the four individual motors that are equipped with their own transmission. This allows for maximum torque and temperature management when facing challenging off-road conditions.
For where we expect this vehicle to spend most of its time with owners, there are three on-road programs, including Comfort, Sport and Individual. Each of these programs can change the behaviour of the boxier G wagon.
Moving onto the inside, the G 580 is powered by MBUX infotainment system which is also found on other Mercedes EQ vars. This includes a series of larger screens on the dashboard.
In the G wagon, all the required data and information for on-road and off-road terrains is provided. During off-roading, these include gradient, lateral inclination, compass, tyre pressure and selected G-Mode.
For those looking to take it easy on the road, there is a Burmester 3D Surround Sound system, Nappa leather, power front seats with memory function, heated and cooled cupholders and wireless smartphone charging.
Multiple packages that add comfort and convenience features to the G 580 are also available with prices listed below.
Overall, this is quite a unique offering for when it comes to off-roading EVs and given the heritage that comes with the iconic G wagon, it’s likely to see more than a few buyers.
The latest EV from Mercedes-Benz is expected to hit out shores by the middle of 2025.
Optional packages are available at below cost:
- Night Package: $4,300
- MANUFAKTUR Exterior Package: $4,100
- Black Panel radiator grille: $3,800
- Superior Line Interior Plus Package: $14,500
- Interior Comfort Package: $8,500
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.