Mercedes primes electric G-Class Defender beater
Luxury EQG 4x4 will harness EQS battery and motors for supreme off-road capability
AUTOCAR IMAGE
Mercedes-Benz will preview the long-mooted electrification of its G-Class SUV with a concept at the Munich motor show that will spearhead the roll-out of a 4x4 sub-brand.
It has been nearly two years since CEO Ola Källenius confirmed that the Magna-built Land Rover Defender rival –
launched in 1979 as the G-Wagen – would gain an all-electric variant, also predicting that “the last Mercedes built will be a G-Class”.
A production version is due in 2024, by which point most of the mainstream models in the Mercedes line-up will be available with electric power.
The Munich show car is expected to reveal how the G-Class will be restyled and reconfigured for the electric age, with design and interior cues that closely preview the final production model – much like how 2019’s Vision EQS concept proved a prelude to the new EQS luxury limousine (driven, p22).
Given how subtly the G-Class has evolved since its arrival 42 years ago, it is unlikely that Mercedes will reinvent its characteristically rugged two-box design, but a host of new styling cues that bring it into line with other EQ-badged models are expected.
A new-shape, one-piece front grille will be the chief differentiator over the ICEpowered car, as is the case for the GLB-based EQB, but new wheel designs and light clusters and a revamped rear end will help to distinguish the EQG from the G-Class.