Mercedes-Benz has officially announced its plans to develop a more affordable companion to its highly anticipated G-Class all-electric SUV. This exciting revelation was initially reported by Electrek and confirmed at the IAA Mobility 2023 event in Munich over the weekend.
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CEO Ola Kallenius unveiled this ambitious project, describing it as the “baby” G-Class EV. Unlike its larger counterpart, this electric vehicle promises to be significantly more compact while maintaining the hallmark luxury and performance associated with the G-Wagon brand. Kallenius further emphasized that it will be a “fun to drive” model, highlighting the brand’s commitment to delivering a thrilling driving experience.
This new model is derived from the G-Class EQG concept, which first made its appearance at IAA Mobility 2021. The German newspaper Automobilwoche has reported that Mercedes-Benz has been mulling over the idea of a smaller, all-electric G-Wagon for several years. In an intriguing twist, it’s suggested that the variant could be named “g-Class,” with a deliberate lowercase “g,” indicating its role as a smaller sibling to the big-G.
While specific technical details are still scarce, it’s confirmed that the “baby” G-Class will be powered by a purely electric drivetrain, likely featuring all-wheel drive. This aligns with Kallenius’s assurance that the vehicle will offer an enjoyable driving experience.
One of the most significant selling points of this new G-Class variant is its affordability. The standard Mercedes G-Class SUV starts at a hefty $140,000, making it an exclusive luxury vehicle. However, Mercedes-Benz aims to broaden its appeal with the smaller electric G-Wagon. Although exact pricing remains undisclosed, it is expected to be considerably more accessible than its larger sibling. Still, to achieve mass-market adoption, the automaker may need to target a price range closer to $100,000 to $120,000.
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Unfortunately, eager enthusiasts will need to exercise patience. The powertrain for this diminutive wonder will likely be based on the forthcoming MB.EA platform, Mercedes-Benz’s proprietary battery technology. This platform is not expected to make its way into vehicles until 2025, which implies that the release of the smaller, more affordable G-Class EV may not occur until 2026 at the earliest.
