If you had asked us about a possible electric G-Wagen from Mercedes a few years ago, we would have told you that you were tripping. However, the three-pointed star brand has brought its iconic off-roader with a premium twist into the EV world with a zero-emission version dubbed the G 580 with EQ Technology.
Believed to bear the EQG moniker, the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology celebrated its world premiere last week. It's only a matter of time until renowned tuners worldwide get their hands on it, and when they do, they will launch all sorts of aftermarket components, including body kits, extra lights, and so on.
Mind you, the tuning fairy has already visited the all-quiet G-Wagen, albeit with a digital twist. Ildar_project recently took to Instagram to reveal a rendering that depicts this model with a few aftermarket touches. We're certainly fans of the unofficial redesign and think that the more muscular look suits it like a glove.
But what is new? Well, the backlit grille, for one, which sends AMG vibes due to its vertical slats. The pixel manipulator also gave it a new front bumper with additional lights towards the sides and a redesigned central section with an extra air vent. The wheel arches are more pronounced, and so are the side skirts, whereas the trim on the fenders and doors and the mirror casings carry over with no modifications whatsoever.
Photo: Mercedes
Don't go anywhere yet, as the virtual tuning fairy also gave the G 580 with EQ Technology (jeez, that's a weird name!) a roof attachment above the front windscreen with even more lights, and a wing at the other end. The back is not visible at all, yet if it were, it would've likely featured a different bumper and probably an aggressive diffuser. Those large alloys, whose pattern fit the bill, and the dark hue complete the vehicle's CGI makeover.
As we already told you, it's only a matter of time until tuners like Brabus launch similar upgrades for the electric G-Wagen. In the meantime, we'll remind you that it uses a four-motor drivetrain with a combined 579 hp (588 ps/432 kW) and 859 pound-foot (1,164 Nm) of torque, taking 4.7s to reach 62 mph (100 kph). It uses the same body-on-frame construction as the ICE-powered G-Class, shares its 116 kWh battery pack with the EQS, and has a claimed range of 292 miles (470 km) on the WLTP cycle.
In its homeland of Germany, the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology starts at €142,622 (equaling $152,507), so it slots between the G 500 and the AMG G 63. The Edition One is more expensive, as it kicks off at €192,524 ($205,868). Pricing for other markets, including the United States, will be released later.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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