Summary
- Mercedes-Benz is developing a smaller, electric version of the iconic G-Class SUV called the g-Class, which will continue the legacy of the original in a more compact package.
- The upcoming Mercedes-Benz g-Class will be electric, capable, instantly recognizable, and fun to drive both on and off-road, promising a similar experience to the larger G-Class.
- The release date for the Mercedes-Benz g-Class has not been confirmed, but it is expected to arrive in the next few years and will likely be more expensive than the compact GLC model.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the most iconic SUVs in the world. After proving its mettle as a tough and capable military vehicle, as well as the basis for the 1980 Popemobile, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class slowly trickled into the civilian car market, where its off-road capability, dependability, iconic status, and exclusivity helped it to become one of the most desirable luxury SUVs ever made.
Mercedes-Benz wants to keep its G-Class (also known as G-Wagen or G-Wagen) clientele very exclusive by limiting the vehicle’s production volume and keeping the price tag in the six figures. Moreover, the German luxury car brand wants the G-Wagen’s legacy to continue into the electrified era with the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQG, which is expected for the 2025 model year.
For G-Class fans all over the world, Mercedes-Benz unveiled another big surprise. It seems that the EQG won’t be alone in receiving the baton from the original G-Class. Mercedes-Benz confirmed that a smaller, electric version of the G-Class is in the works.
So what do we know about this new Mercedes-Benz model? We’ve done the research for you, so read on and enjoy!
Is There A Mini G-Class?
Last September 3, at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA Mobility 2023) in Germany, Mercedes-Benz Chairman of the Board of Management Ola Kallenius revealed that the company has been working on a smaller version of the iconic G-Class SUV. This new model – which Kallenius dubbed the “little g” – will bear a lot of responsibility in carrying on the legacy that the original G-Class has built for over 4 decades, but this time in a more compact package. Even the vehicle’s name became more compact.
The new compact SUV will be called the Mercedes-Benz g-Class (notice the small “g”?). Kallenius didn’t disclose the exact specifications of the vehicle, but he promises that the upcoming Mercedes-Benz g-Class will be electric, capable, instantly recognizable, and very fun to drive both on and off-road.
Check out the video above, where Kalleniius teases the audience about the Mercedes-Benz “little g” towards the end of the Concept CLA’s reveal.
Is The Mercedes Baby G-Wagen Electric?
According to Mercedes-Benz, the upcoming baby G-Wagen will be electric.
As an electric SUV, the compact Mercedes-Benz g-Class could be based on the current electric-first Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. Although Mercedes-Benz has not released any performance specifications for the baby G-Wagen, we can glean some insights from what the company revealed for the all-new Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA. Using the MMA platform, the Concept CLA has:
- Over 466 miles (750 km) of driving range
- Quick recharging (800 V) capability, able to top up 248 miles (400 km) of driving range within 15 minutes
- 40% reduction on value-chain carbon emissions
Alternatively, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz g-Class compact SUV may also use the Mercedes-Benz Electric Architecture (MB.EA) platform, one of the three EV platforms that Mercedes-Benz will launch starting in 2025. Although the MB.EA platform is meant to underpin midsize and full-size models, it is a scalable modular system, and there’s no certainty on how small the “little g” will actually be. For reference, the “big G,” or the original G-Class, belongs to the large SUV segment.
When Will The Mercedes-Benz Little G-Wagen Be Released?
Mercedes-Benz’s Chairman of the Board of Management Ola Kallenius revealed that the “little g-Class” will arrive “a few years from now”, and that it will be worth the wait.
There are some speculations that the little Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen will debut for the 2026 model year. These estimates stem from the news that Mercedes-Benz’s new EV platforms will only be launched in 2025.
How Much Is The Mercedes Baby G-Wagen?
Mercedes-Benz has not yet announced how much the baby G-Wagen will cost. However, considering the German luxury car company’s motto of “value over volume”, the iconic status of the G-Class, and the electric powertrain of the upcoming vehicle lineup, the Mercedes-Benz “little G” will likely be more expensive than the compact Mercedes-Benz GLC, which currently starts between $47,100 and $54,700.
Of course, it will be reasonable to assume that the Mercedes baby G-Wagen will be more affordable than the larger Mercedes-Benz EQG, which is expected to start at roughly $150,000.
Which Is The Cheapest G-Class?
As of September 2023, the cheapest G-Class the Mercedes-Benz USA’s lineup is the G-550 SUV, which starts at $139,900. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-550 is powered by a 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine (416 hp, 450 lb-ft) mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, and it can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds.
At the other end of the range, the Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 SUV starts at $179,000. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 clocks in at an amazing 4.5 seconds at the 0-60 mph dash thanks to 577 horses and 627 lb-ft of twist from an AMG-handcrafted 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 mated to an AMG-tuned 9G-Tronic A/T.
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