- UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz EQC confirmed for 2024 debut
- Watch for more on the EQG to come in the months ahead.
- The story to here
- September 2021: Mercedes EQG concept revealed
UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz EQC confirmed for 2024 debut
The upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQG – an all-electric version of the iconic G-Class SUV – will make its market debut in 2024, the company’s chairman has confirmed.
Speaking with media this week, Mercedes chairman Ola Källenius said buyers can expect to see the EQG launch somewhere around the middle of the year, although actual sale dates are likely to vary by market and region.
Källenius looks to have gone all-in on the idea, too, telling reports: “From now on, going off-road is electric”.
The news follows confirmation in 2019 that an electric version of the G-Class was in the works, to build on the brand’s growing range of ‘EQ’ models like the original EQC, the newer EQA, the EQB, the EQS (and an EQS SUV) and now also the EQE sedan and upcoming EQE SUV.
There is also some irony to the confirmation of a 2024 launch for th EQG, with customers claiming earlier this year that wait times for the ‘regular’ G-Class models have blown out to 2024.
We can expect at least one fan to throw his hand up for the electric G-Class, with avowed EV fan Arnold Schwarzenegger having revealed his own electric-converted version back in 2017.
Watch for more on the EQG to come in the months ahead.
The story to here
September 2021: Mercedes EQG concept revealed
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQG has been shown early in the form of an all-electric concept car.
Mercedes-Benz has previewed the battery-powered G-Wagen at the 2021 Munich motor show, updating the 42-year-old premium off-roader for the 21st century.
But while Mercedes has provided few technical specifications for the EQG Concept – exact details are expected ahead of the official launch of the 2024 EQG production car at a later date – it appears as if the vehicle’s off-road capabilities have been maintained.
The EQG Concept retains its ladder-frame chassis and rigid rear axle, specially-developed for the integration of electric motors, with drive sent through a two-speed gearbox to replicate low-range.
Batteries mounted in the chassis help to lower the vehicle’s centre-of-gravity, while the high torque output generated by the four electric motors lends itself to off-roading – aided by the ability to send power to whichever wheels have the most traction.
Power figures haven’t been provided, but expect some big numbers when the production car is eventually revealed.
Trademark filings uncovered back in April point to two potential models: EQG 560 and EQG 580. It’s possible EQG 580 could borrow its powertrain from the EQS 580, due to land in December with 385kW and 828Nm.
However, while the EQS 580 has dual electric motors, the EQG Concept has a quad-motor powertrain – perhaps providing us with a glimpse of what we can expect from an EQG from AMG.
To help differentiate it from its petrol and diesel-powered ancestors, the EQG Concept gets a blanked-off grille with an integrated ‘3D effect’ light pattern, and LED light strips adorned across its two-tone body. A set of 22-inch alloys have been fitted, which are vaguely reminiscent of AMG’s iconic ‘Monoblock’ wheels.
A lockable storage container on the rear tailgate replaces the spare wheel, with a design replicating a Mercedes Wallbox – a home charging station for electric cars.
The G-Class was one of four fully-electric vehicles to be unveiled by Mercedes-Benz at the exhibition – two concept cars and two production cars – as the German carmaker forges ahead with its zero-emissions vehicle portfolio.
In July 2021, Mercedes-Benz announced every all-new vehicle platform would be electric-only from 2025 onwards, and has previously confirmed an electric G would form part of its line-up.
“The [electric vehicle] shift is picking up speed – especially in the luxury segment, where Mercedes-Benz belongs. The tipping point is getting closer and we will be ready as markets switch to electric-only by the end of this decade,” Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said at the time.
“By managing this faster transformation…I am convinced that we will be successful in this exciting new era.”
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Keyword: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQG electric G-Class is on schedule