Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz
Imagine grinding gravel and bounding over boulders while surrounded by luxury and without even emitting a single molecule of carbon dioxide. This fantasy meets reality with the fully electric Mercedes G-Wagon.
The G Wagen Is well known for being a high-status vehicle, and it’s just become even more status-symbolic, all courtesy of a 116-kWh battery and all electric drive. It is fitted with four individually controlled motors with a maximum total output of 432 kW, which is equivalent to about 580 horsepower, and a maximum torque of 1,165 NM.
Well, great power comes with expense, so the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ technology will start at $152,184.27, while the first edition trim goes for $205,432.89. That’s a premium over the gas models, which typically start at about $143,000. Once launched, the edition one trim will be exclusive to the US market and will arrive at dealerships in the first half of 2024.
The automaker says that the G580 will be built on a ladder frame concept, which is fundamental to its off-road capabilities. Like the gas-powered equivalents, the ladder frame concept entails an independent front suspension with double wishbones as well as a newly developed rear axle for a lower center of gravity.
The electric machine will come with a whole caravan of tricks, including tank turn, which is branded as Mercedes’ G-turn, for sharper, on-axis rotations. G-turn will work on loose, unpaved roads and trails and ‘only’ at low speeds. Also,a three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function will be installed to keep the electric SUV at optimal speed while traveling over uneven ground. Mercedes boasts that the machine will remain stable on slopes up to 35 degrees and has a maximum fording depth of 850 millimeters, which is equivalent to 33 inches.
All that off-road capability requires extra battery protection, and the battery is stored in the floor of the vehicle for the low center of gravity. This is simply because every grain of gravel is a potential hazard when driving with a two-tiered lithium-ion battery with 216 cells installed in 12-cell modules between three cooling levels under your feet.
The underbody skid plate is made from an intelligent material that includes carbon, which makes it rigid compared to alternatives made from steel and aluminum. The company suggests that the material ensures long-lasting corrosion protection and saves weight. The plate is 26 mm thick, weighs 57.6 kilograms, and is attached to the ladder frame with more than 50 steel screws.
The exterior is nearly identical to the current model of the year gas-fueled G-wagons. The bonnet is slightly raised, and the rear wheels include air curtains for better aerodynamics.
This electric car is a sign that Mercedes still understands that its luxury status is maintained even as the cars go electric.
Ig @mannu mwendwa
