Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Like the Wrangler, the G-Class is a legendary off-roader with many fans all across the world. Mercedes calls it “stronger than time” because it sounds cool, but did you know that “there were discussions” whether the model should be terminated from the three-pointed star’s lineup?
Head of digital transformation Sascha Pallenberg confirmed this on his Twitter account, adding that “there will be a zero-emission EV version of the Mercedes G-Class.” The quote is attributed to none other than Daimler AG chief executive officer Ola Källenius, an advocate of electrification and a former member of the executive board for Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. Looking at the bigger picture, the electric G-Class was bound to happen at some point or another out of necessity rather than desire.
“The way I see things now, I'd say the last Mercedes to be built will be a G-Class," is how the head honcho’s words end, and we can’t say we’re surprised. The W463 is one of the least-efficient SUVs out there, a gentle giant that comes with either an inline-six turbo diesel or a twin-turbo V8. The Environmental Protection Agency estimated the G 63 returns 14 miles to the gallon on the combined cycle while the WLTP rating is 15 liters per 100 clicks.
In other words, body-on-frame SUVs from the full-size segment are more efficient. The Cadillac Escalade ESV is rated 17 mpg, and while on the subject of trucks, the Ford F-150 with the Coyote V8, 4x4, and SuperCrew body style will return 16 miles to the gallon. Obviously enough, Mercedes-Benz can’t afford to keep the G-Wagen alive without a few sacrifices.
In Europe, Euro 7 regulations are just around the corner, and over in the United States, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards can only get more drastic with the coming years as well.
“The way I see things now, I'd say the last Mercedes to be built will be a G-Class," is how the head honcho’s words end, and we can’t say we’re surprised. The W463 is one of the least-efficient SUVs out there, a gentle giant that comes with either an inline-six turbo diesel or a twin-turbo V8. The Environmental Protection Agency estimated the G 63 returns 14 miles to the gallon on the combined cycle while the WLTP rating is 15 liters per 100 clicks.
In other words, body-on-frame SUVs from the full-size segment are more efficient. The Cadillac Escalade ESV is rated 17 mpg, and while on the subject of trucks, the Ford F-150 with the Coyote V8, 4x4, and SuperCrew body style will return 16 miles to the gallon. Obviously enough, Mercedes-Benz can’t afford to keep the G-Wagen alive without a few sacrifices.
In Europe, Euro 7 regulations are just around the corner, and over in the United States, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards can only get more drastic with the coming years as well.
#Daimler CEO Källenius: ”There will be a zero-emission #EV version of the #MercedesBenz G-Class. In the past there were discussions whether we should eliminate the model, the way I see things now I'd say the last Mercedes to be built will be a G-Class" #AMWKongress #eMobility pic.twitter.com/tAS6tzpR3Y
— Sascha Pallenberg XÞ (@sascha_p) November 7, 2019
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