Mercedes-Benz G-Class: "Stronger than time" as Concept EQG!

With the Concept EQG, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the near-series study of a fully electric model variant of its iconic off-road vehicle. Visually, the concept car combines the unmistakably distinctive look of the G-Class with selected design elements as contrasting highlights, which are typical for fully electric models from Mercedes. The off-road qualities of the "G", which have always set standards, will not only find their way into the age of electromobility - they will even be expanded in some areas. The Concept EQG thus offers a promising outlook on what a Mercedes-Benz G-Class with battery-electric drive will be able to achieve.

Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG

For the world premiere of the current model generation of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class in Detroit in January 2018, Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger, as a star guest and ardent "G" fan, elicited a promise that many at the time had unexpectedly made from Daimler AG's Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Dieter Zetsche : The imminent electrification of all model series will of course also include the G-Class. Almost three and a half years later, Mercedes-Benz kept this promise and presented the Concept EQG, the near-series study of a fully electric G-Class. "Wherever market conditions allow, Mercedes-Benz will be ready to go fully electric by the end of the decade," emphasizes Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO. “With this strategic step from 'Electric first' to 'Electric only' including sustainable production and CO₂-neutral life cycle of our batteries, we accelerate the transformation into an emission-free and software-driven future. We want to inspire our customers to switch to electromobility with convincing products. An icon like the G-Class fulfills this task perfectly. "

The origin of the successful G-Class model goes back to 1979. For more than four decades, the “G” has embodied the luxury off-road vehicle from Mercedes-Benz. The external appearance of the off-road legend from Mercedes-Benz has changed only insignificantly over the entire period. As part of the extensive revision in 2018, which brought with it the greatest technological leap in the history of the model, Mercedes-Benz only carefully further developed the unmistakably striking design. For good reason: Because once purely functional components have long since become iconic style elements. These include, for example, the distinctive door handle and the characteristic closing noise, the robust external protective strip, the exposed spare wheel on the rear door or the eye-catching front indicators.

Classic G-Class design language with quotes from the Mercedes-EQ design

The Concept EQG also follows the design tradition of the series and can be recognized at first glance as a representative of the G-Class. The near-series study adopts the angular silhouette, including its iconic elements, from the G-Class. Luminous strips visually highlight the robust external protective strips. The separating edge of the eye-catching two-tone paintwork - glossy black at the top, glossy aluminum beam at the bottom - runs in the area of ​​the front of the vehicle directly under the overlying engine hood and thus emphasizes this design feature even more clearly.

From the front, the Concept EQG looks familiar, not least because of the typical round headlights. Instead of a radiator grille, as in the conventionally powered model versions, this fully electric variant has a continuous deep black radiator cover. In this black panel grill, the illuminated star with a 3D effect sets a striking accent. Around it, the animated pattern of "round squares" (Squircle Pattern) in the familiar blue of the Mercedes-EQ models creates an optical connection. A circumferential strip of light envelops the black panel, which, in addition to the white circles in the exterior mirror housings, complements the daytime running light graphics of the headlights.

The Concept EQG rolls on 22-inch light alloy wheels made of polished aluminum in an exclusive design. Instead of the usual spare wheel cover, there is a lockable box on the rear door with white illuminated accents, the design of which is reminiscent of a wallbox. The charging cable, for example, could be accommodated here within easy reach. “With the new EQG we are embarking on a journey into the future. This vehicle combines the most modern off-road capabilities with the age of electromobility, into which we all steer. It stands for our tireless pursuit of the highest standards and luxury. For us, it was essential to really preserve the DNA of the G-Class, but to beam it into the age of EQ: like the G-Class, but different. Modern accents such as white LED technology and a wallbox on the rear of the vehicle make the difference clear, ”says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of the Daimler Group.

Another highlight of the exterior design is the flat roof rack in high-gloss black. The central element of its minimalist design is the centrally shaped "G", which is unmistakable when viewed from above. The white LED strip integrated in the front edge of the roof rack is a modern interpretation of the searchlight, which is indispensable for demanding off-road adventures - and thus underlines the seriousness of the Concept EQG in this area: not despite, but precisely because of its fully electric drive. Another red LED bar forms the rear end of the roof rack.

"We are proud of the more than 400.000 'G' we have produced so far," emphasizes Dr. Emmerich Schiller, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz G GmbH and Head of the Off-Road Vehicle Product Division at Mercedes-Benz AG. “In its more than 40-year model history, the G-Class has always used the most modern and suitable drive technology at the time - from the pre-chamber naturally aspirated diesel of the early days to the AMG 4,0-liter V8 in the current top model G 63. The In light of our 'Electric only' strategy, electrification of this off-road vehicle legend is quite simply the next logical step - and an absolutely fascinating project. Our icon is and will remain 'stronger than time' in every respect. "

An uncompromising off-roader - especially because of the electric drive

The Concept EQG is clearly a "G" not only in terms of design, but also because of its inner values, making it an uncompromising off-roader. This is how its body is built on the robust ladder frame. The chassis design also remains extremely off-road, as is typical of the G-Class; with independent suspension on the front axle and with a newly developed rigid axle at the rear for the integration of the electric drive. With four individually controllable electric motors close to the wheel, the vehicle will offer unique driving characteristics both on and off the road. In combination with the switchable gearbox, with which the Concept EQG can be brought into "Low Range Mode", it also fulfills the high "G" -specific performance requirements in the field.

Equipped in this way, the fully electrically powered variant of the G-Class will, of course, face the legendary test track on the 1445-meter-high Grazer local mountain Schöckl at the end of its development into a production model. Peppered with inclines of up to 60 degrees, the 5,6 kilometer route has always been one of the world's greatest challenges for people and technology in the international off-road scene. After the successful conquest, the electric “G” will also be able to adorn itself with the “Schöckl proved” quality certificate, which is mandatory for the 463 series. And like its conventionally powered brothers, it will also shine with a gradeability of up to 100 percent on the right surface.

In addition, the design-related advantages of the electric drive play into its cards, which make it ideally suited for off-road vehicles and ambitious off-road applications. The batteries integrated in the ladder frame ensure a low center of gravity. Since the electric motors also provide their maximum torque practically with the first revolution, a fully electric off-road vehicle like the Concept EQG and the later series model shines with enormous pulling power and controllability - which is also an advantage on steep slopes and on deep terrain.

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“Stronger than time”: Mercedes-Benz G-Class ready for the age of e-mobility
Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz

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