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The budget, compact G Wagen of your dreams? Merc teases a “Little G” electric off-roader with fun at its core
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will produce an electric mini G-Class 4WD, a fun-sized version of its iconic boxy G Wagon.
At the reveal of the Concept CLA Class at the 2023 IAA Mobility event in Munich, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius announced the “Little G” would be based on the electric CLA’s 800-volt Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform.
The presentation showed a silhouette of what it called the “g-Class” – yes, a lower-case ‘G’ – with the current production G-Class’ distinctive square lines and traditional boot-mounted spare wheel in evidence.
Kallenius said the compact EV would be “fun to drive” both on and off road, and promised it would be “an all-electric model variant of its utilitarian off-road icon.”
Sadly, this was just a teaser for what will come, but it’s encouraging the model has been confirmed for production after it was previously reported Kallenius “absolutely” wanted the model to happen.
Mercedes is expected to add an EQG G-Class to its full-electric inventory in mid-2024, but this miniature g-Class version would likely not arrive until 2026.
The aforementioned Concept CLA Class will likely morph into a production car in 2024, and Mercedes has promised the MMA platform will sit under four new cars – two SUVs, a shooting brake (wagon) and sedan – as entry-level vehicles.
The German brand has claimed its Tesla Model 3-rivalling Concept CLA Class could offer a range of up to 750km. The 4WD system and aerodynamic limitations of a g-Class (it being like a brick) would ensure it’d be a long way from matching the slippery sedan’s electric-only range.
But even reasonable range (500km+) in a baby 4WD will surely pique the interest of remote-travelling Australians, especially with Benz’s promised ultra-fast charging.
Kallenius said the electric-only Baby G would be “extremely capable off-road,” representing a cheaper alternative to its G-Class big brother.
In Australia, the only G-Class SUV currently available is the AMG G63, costing close to $400,000 on the road.
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