Mercedes EQG: Everything We Know So Far

The next-generation G-Wagen is going to be a zero-emission off-roader with a huge responsibility. It must carry on the tradition of the iconic G, one of the longest living nameplates still on the market. But will it be able to do it? Will die-hard fans of the boxy SUV be able to accept that their favorite ride will not come with that V8 soundtrack anymore?

Or will they still be nostalgic about that almighty, glorious V12 that used to roar under the hood of the G-Class before the latest generation sent it straight to the Valhalla of large-displacement power plants? We are living in the era of downsizing and electrification, after all. We can't possibly stop this wave, we'll just have to ride it and see where it is taking us all. Carmakers have already set targets for entirely electric lineups and carbon neutrality, and the clock is ticking.

It is the wave that took the G-Class with it as well. On the market since the 1970s, the model has built the reputation of a vehicle that is indestructibly capable in the off-road and undeniably fast on the road. Keep in mind that the AMG G 63 comes with the 4.0-liter V8 that churns out 577 horsepower (585 metric horsepower) and 626 pound-feet (850 Nm of torque).

Not the most comfortable to drive of all high rides out there before the latest generation and requiring the driver to put in quite an effort in order to turn right or left, always halfway between ugly and attractive, the model that was once a military vehicle for the Australain armed forces has become a sweet spot for VIPs. A must-have in the garage, a statement on the road, a warrior off the road, the G-Class has somehow been attractive exactly because it has never been a good-looking car. You can call it anything but 'beautiful.' Boxy, angular, an enemy of aerodynamics, and heavy. And still so very coveted.

A real G

But will it be just as coveted once it goes electric? Mercedes pledged to all those who showed concern about the model losing its off-road credentials that it will be worth it. The brand's CEO, Ola Kallenius, said it was not going to happen. Not on this EQG anyway. The EQG will still come with all the features that the ICE-powered G-Class has been carrying over since the first generation. Low-range gear ratios and three lock differentials are all on the menu to make it what Ola Kallenius calls "a real G."

Furthermore, it will keep all the iconic design cues that enthusiasts have grown accustomed to over all these years. This means that the door hinges will stay visible as they have always been. The famous and so familiar 'click-clack' sound of those doors closing will be heard on the EQG, too. The turn indicators mounted up on the hood are there to stay, and so are the circular headlights, now with LED tech. But there will be something more up front. The concept car that previews the production model sports a front panel with an illuminated frame and an illuminated Mercedes badge in the center.

The spare wheel will hold its ground on the rear door. There will be something, though, that will let those driving behind it know that no emissions are coming out of any tailpipe back there or on the sides. The EQG is getting a square spare wheel case instead of the usual round one. I guess we can all agree that we can live with that, right? Yet, there will be a charging cable in there, in the company of the spare wheel.

And the list of good news is far from over: Mercedes is keeping the ladder frame, so no one ever doubts the robustness of the electric G. A sophisticated front independent suspension is also part of the plan.

But what sort of powertrain will set the EQG in motion? What is Mercedes coming up with for this vehicle in order to keep its character, reputation, and capabilities alive? There will be not one, not two, not three, but four electric motors, one engaging each of the four wheels.

The Mercedes EQG will tank-turn

The quad motor system will allow individual control of each wheel, a feature that will make the EQG the first non-Chinese car capable of doing the tank turn. With the simple push of a button and the help of the shift paddles, depending on which direction you want to go, the vehicle will be able to spin on the spot. Probably, many will do it to show off.

But the move is specifically designed to help the driver out of the predicament when the vehicle is stuck in mud or sand while off-roading. The only cars able to tank-turn, which are currently in production, are the Zeekr 001 and the YangWang U8, both coming all the way from China.

Rivian was also planning to fit the R1S SUV with the feature, but eventually decided to ditch it for safety reasons. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe explained that there would be a risk drivers would abuse the function, so the carmaker decided to keep it out of production.

The powertrain of the EQG will also integrate a large battery pack, which should be transplanted from the EQS SUV unless Mercedes decides to plant a newly developed pack in there, which is more plausible.

The EQG is expected to debut toward the end of 2024 as a 2025 model year. The off-roader should go on sale early in 2025, with a price expected to start at around $150,000. And the cherry on top: there will also be an AMG version, set to break cover sometime in 2025. We are expecting more than 577 horsepower (585 PS) from that beast!