TECHNOLOGY FORUM (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

An all-electric Mercedes G-Class. Really? Jonathan Crouch takes a long look at the G 580 with EQ Technology.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 33

The Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology is an all-electric G-Class with quite astonishing engineering. Ever wondered whether ultimate off road prowess could continue into the all-electric era? This car proves it will.

Backgroundword count: 166

This, if we're honest, is a car we thought we would never see: an all-electric Mercedes G-Wagen. For all sorts of reasons. For a start, don't Mercedes and Mercedes-Maybach versions of the EQS SUV already fill the billionaire electric SUV niche? And how on earth could a G-Class EV be created that could match its combustion equivalent in the world's toughest terrain? In such an environment, where would you charge the thing anyway? Rarely can there have been so many reasons not to build a car, but Mercedes has done it anyway and here we are reviewing the G 580 with EQ Technology. If the clumsy name doesn't put you off, the exorbitant price tag probably will, but if funds permit, don't stop reading quite yet. Mercedes says this EV G-Class is not only quicker than the regular model but also torquier and better off road. More significantly perhaps, this electric powertrain will allow this iconic model line to continue into the next decade and beyond.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 459

When Mercedes sets its mind at an engineering challenge, the results can be astounding. So it is here. There's a single powertrain on offer and a single enormous 116kWh battery pack option - but what a drivetrain. It has four permanently excited synchronous electric motors, each with 145bhp, two at the front and two at the rear, each driving one of the wheels, enabling a rather clever party trick (we'll get to that). EVs usually have only a single-speed transmission, but impressively this one has two speeds because Mercedes has developed a low range ratio (without which a G-Wagen wouldn't really be a G-Wagen). Total output is 579bhp (a bit less than a G 63) and 1164Nm of torque (quite a bit more). 62mph occupies 4.7s to the accompaniment of a surprisingly authentic 'G-ROAR' artificial engine note. The maximum speed (limited by the barn door aerodynamics and 3-tonne kerb weight) tops out at 112mph. Official EV range is supposed to be somewhere between 272-294 miles; yeah right. We mentioned the party trick; it's called 'G TURN'. This is where all four motors are used to turn the car nearly 360-degrees on the spot. It's not supposed to be used on tarmac, but you won't be able to resist amazing your friends with it. A more useful tech trick is 'G STEERING', there to reduce the turning circle by braking an inside wheel and sending extra power to an outside one. It's supposed to get you round tight off road bends, but mostly will probably be used by extrovert owners for rather impressive Max Power-style skids. Already, you want one of these don't you? And we haven't even got to the off road stuff, which you'd expect to be compromised by the EV drivetrain, but which has actually been improved by it. What about all those differential locks, the buttons for which festoon the dash of an ordinary G-Class? Well this G 580 gets virtual differential locks that work (almost) even better. Mercedes provides an 'Off-road crawling' system amongst various electronic aids for crawling up difficult ascents and down steep slopes, or you can turn them off and take full control. If you're worried about wading depth, it's 850mm, 150mm more than the combustion models. As for running out of charge in the wilderness, well the definitive G-Wagon testing route, the famous Schokl Pass, can apparently be tackled fourteen times by a G 580 before it runs out of battery. A G 63 would be able to do it only six times before needing fresh replenishment of super unleaded. One big downside for some potential owners will be the fact that this G 580 isn't recommended for towing. And its payload is just 415kg. Still stuff to work on then.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227