Mercedes EQG Update – Four Wheel (Electric) Drive Is Coming
Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts have been patiently waiting with bated breath during the long course of development of the Mercedes EQG, the highly anticipated electric G Wagon. While updates have been vague and infrequent until fairly recently, they’ve begun to flood in on a regular basis over the past few weeks as prototypes begin real-world testing. Much of this involves speculation that has now been confirmed by Mercedes, and the release of actual, concrete specifications that have been a long time coming.
From Concept to Reality
In 2021, the EQG concept made its debut, and provided a glimpse into the future of the G Wagon in an electrified Mercedes lineup. The German auto giant has stated a commitment to a fully-electric lineup by the year 2030, which has naturally raised questions about what fate may befall the iconic luxury SUV. Thankfully, Mercedes has decided to keep the G Class around a little while longer, and bring the platform into the 21st century. This means the G will be going electric – and soon.
The concept EQG doesn’t depart much from the internal-combustion G Class in terms of styling; in fact, it’s probably more similar on the outside than not, and certainly immediately identifiable as a G Class. The concept vehicle features new, streamlined wheels (similar to those that can be found on other electric Mercedes’), a revised front fascia, and plenty of futuristic-looking LED lighting around the exterior. The EQG also features a unique, small cover on the rear hatch where the spare tire would usually reside – this is likely to be a storage compartment for the charging cable. Other than that… it’s pretty much business as usual on the outside, which will come as welcome news to G Class fans. A very early prototype has been spotted in camouflage, and this will confirm the above. The iconic styling will live on.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQG
Mercedes has committed to a 2024 release date, and it’s looking like the EQG nomenclature that the concept was given will be carried over to the production version; the rest of Mercedes’ electric vehicles feature similar designations (for example, the EQS sedan, and the EQB and EQS SUVs). Mercedes’ Head of Product for the G Class, Emmerich Schiller, has made it very clear that this wasn’t going to be a simple, low-effort endeavor to slap a few batteries in a gasoline G Wagon. In fact, it was the intent that the “electric G Class should be at least as good as the internal combustion engine model both on-road and off-road,” he said in an interview with Autocar magazine.
Perhaps the most substantial hurdle still facing the engineering team, which is nearly a universal truth of all electric vehicle development, is the issue of range and batteries. The battery system is still under development, and likely will come down to the wire as Mercedes seeks to incorporate the best technology possible. Because of this, powertrain specifics haven’t been released yet, and we’ll likely be waiting on those for some time to come. That said, we do know that care has been taken to keep the EQG squared away for off-road use; the lithium-ion batteries will be stored in a waterproof compartment so drivers can ford deep water with no concerns of water intrusion.
Additionally, the EGQ is confirmed to be powered by four independent motors at each wheel, as was initially conjectured. Each wheel can be powered completely independently of the rest; this will enable a smooth driving experience on the road, and also help correctly vector power to each wheel in the event of inclement weather. This will translate to safer driving in storms on the road, and also take the place of a traditional locking differential while off-road.
Of all the technical wizardry that we know of making its way to the G Class, the most captivating is known as the “G-Turn.” Because of the independent motors powering each wheel along with dedicated rear-wheel steering, the EQG will be able to move sideways in a similar manner to the Hummer’s “crab walk” or the Rivian “tank turn.” Is it a gimmick? Perhaps, but it’s also easy to see how this can aid in parking in the urban environments where the EQG is likely to reside. Oh, it can also spin around in a circle really fast, too. It’s quite a spectacle.
A Bright Future Ahead
It’s plain to see that the reason for the prolonged development of the EQG is due to Mercedes’ deep love of the G Class, and their desire to do it justice when it comes time for the electric version to hit the road. Battery technology is still catching up to the massive demand for electric vehicles worldwide, but with the massive amounts of capital and brainpower available at Mercedes, look for a highly appealing electric G Class with range and power to equal the beloved internal combustion variant when it finally hits the streets in 2024. It’s shaping up to be another beloved entry in the storied history of the Mercedes-Benz G Class.
