The Mercedes-Benz G580 Electric has arrived in South Africa! Does the electrified newcomer lose any of its legendary off-road capabilities or kerb appeal? David Taylor travelled to Gauteng to put the “Big G” to the test!
Since its debut in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen, or G-Class as it’s commonly called, is an icon both in terms of desirability and outright capability. With 3 differentials, substantial ground clearance, potent engines, and a military-grade assembly, its go-anywhere reputation is unmatched.
Previously, Mercedes-Benz offered only Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power in the form of a torquey diesel engine and an AMG-sourced V8 petrol lump. Both are exceedingly talented and the mucho rumbling under bonnet is oh-so desirable! Previewed by the futuristic EQG concept, the G-Class is now getting the silent treatment with electricity running through its veins!
What’s on offer?
First of all, the purists can relax as the G-Class will continue to be offered with internal-combustion power in the form of a diesel-powered G450d and biturbo V8 petrol AMG G63.
The technical details for the G580 are deeply impressive. We get the sense that the engineers relished in the challenge of integrating 4 motors, a 116 kWh battery, 2-speed transmission and software with the ultimate aim of retaining the G-Class’s legendary off-road ability.
The total outputs put it in the same ballpark as the G63 AMG, with 432 kW and 1164 Nm heading to all four wheels. Each motor makes 108 kW and 291 Nm which is a similar output for a family crossover, yet this electric G-Class has four of them! Zero to 100 kph is dispatched in a claimed 4.7 seconds and it’ll run to a limited top speed of 180 kph. Those are impressive numbers for an SUV weighing just over 3 tons.
This powertrain will be taken over the harshest terrains and it’s only fitting that it’s equipped with substantial underbody protection to keep the vulnerable hardware, like the battery, safe.
What about range? You’d think the electric G with 4 motors won’t offer much range but with a battery capacity of 124 kWh (116 kWh is usable) a range of 473 km is claimed. Consider 450 km as a more realistic range, which is probably about the same range as the biturbo V8 petrol G63 if you’re driving in Sport mode.
In terms of charging, the electric G supports both AC and DC charging, offering 11 kW and up to 200 kW respectively. It’ll charge from 10-80% in about 30 minutes if you’re using a high-power charger.
Off-road capabilities? Yes! There’s 850 mm of wading depth, 250 mm of ground clearance, virtual differential locks with torque vectoring, crawl modes and approach/departure angles of 32 and 30.7 degrees respectively. Job done then, on paper, that is…
The vehicle also features interesting software tricks called G-Steering and G-Turn. The first locks the inside rear wheel while cornering to allow for tighter turning circles while the G-Turn has one side of wheels turning forwards while the opposite wheels turn in reverse, resulting in a full 180-degree G-Turn. It can complete two full 360-degree rotations on the spot. In both cases it’s best to do this on grass or gravel to minimise excessive tyre wear.
What about features? Yes, for this lofty price tag, you’d expect to get a full-house of standard features and for the most part, this is the case. A large 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster and infotainment system with the latest iteration of the MBUX operating system is fitted.
There’s also wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging and we counted no fewer than 6 USB ports dotted around the cabin! Adaptive multi-beam LED headlights are standard, as is the high-end Burmester audio system. Let’s not forget the plethora of semi-autonomous safety technology too.
The MANUFAKTUR range of custom paint finishes and interior trim is also available and customers have the option of forking out a bit more for the First Edition derivative that comes with some cosmetic enhancements both inside and out, like the spare wheel storage box, which is a nifty place for your charging cables.
What is the G580 Electric like to drive?
Given the heritage of the G-Class, it came as no surprise that we’d be spending most of the day in offroad scenarios. Mercedes-Benz SA has a fantastic state-of-the-art driving academy located at Zwartkops Raceway west of Pretoria and while it’s more known for its circuit track events, there’s also a technical offroad section.
Recent heavy rains had turned portions of it into mud, a real challenge for any offroader, especially those equipped with road tyres. It was also a fantastic opportunity to conduct multiple G-Turns without the risk of damaging the rubber.
If we were to sum up the G580’s talents: It flatters the novice and makes offroading simpler and stress free!
There’s no faffing with difflocks! Simply choose an offroad mode and the car will do the rest. Granted, when things get really tough, it’s worth engaging the low-range transfer case and using the crawl modes which also doubles as the hill descent control. It’s worth noting that the G580 Electric has fractionally higher ground clearance than its AMG sibling…
What about the G580’s on-road manners? Well, we didn’t spend much time on tar, but we did drive on a poor quality dirt road. First impressions? It’s FAST- far quicker than a 3-ton box should ever be! Yes, the weight difference when compared to its V8 AMG sibling is substantial: 2 640 kg vs 3 085 kg, that’s 445 kg difference!
There’s a pleasant benefit to having this heft as the body-on-frame structure feels sturdy and some quick turns of the steering wheel to avoid a pothole resulted in a better-than-expected body roll. See, having that massive battery located at the bottom of the vehicle has lowered the centre of gravity and the result is a surprisingly engaging drive.
How much does the Mercedes-Benz G580 Electric cost in South Africa?
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class G450d AMG Line | R3 557 169 |
| Mercedes-AMG G-Class G63 | R4 458 731 |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class G580 | R3 736 000 |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class G580 EQ Edition One | R4 647 456 |
The price includes VAT and a 5-year/100 000 km PremiumDrive service and maintenance plan.
Summary
We’ll be the first to admit that we were sceptical of the electric G-Class. However, after a brief drive, first impressions of the Mercedes-Benz G580 Electric suggest the vehicle is still immensely capable on all terrain and feels totally over-engineered for the average customer. This is exactly what a G-Class should be!
With new tricks such as G-Steering and G-Turn, the G580 will have even more appeal. However, most G-Class’ arguably spend most of their time cruising through affluent leafy suburbs and we’d be interested to test its electric performance in an urban setting. Stay tuned for our thorough test of the Mercedes-Benz G580 in the near future!
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