First drive: Mercedes Benz G580 EQ and G63 AMG
When it comes to highly anticipated launches, few measure up to the likes of the G-Wagon. This time around the Big Boy 63 has received a touch-up, but the big story here is that the electric G has arrived and offers a more exciting and sensible package than you might have thought, oh, and a serious amount of torque.
There is a lot to unpack with this new electrified G-Class, but before we discuss electric torque, let's touch on the old-school favourite.
The G63
Whether you like cars or not, anyone can recognise the G63 as an icon. It’s a statement piece that, on paper, doesn’t make too much sense, but its V8 roar and 80s boxy look aremake it iconic around the globet has been a while since the great G has been graced with an update, and I'm pleased to report that AMG has added only what's needed. Firstly, it would be silly to remove the V8 from the G-Wagon so it retains its beefy roar and brutal nose-lifting power.
On the outside, the front and rear bumpers have been updated with subtle yet effective touches. But more importantly, the interior has seen the most love. The G63 has received an updated infotainment system, screen setup, and user interface, ensuring that the car's aesthetic meets the demand for luxury. Also, your tunes will almost certainly never sound better thanks to its Burmester 3D surround sound system. All of which is included throughout the G-Class range.
On the flip side, the G63 retains its boxy handling dynamic, and under acceleration, the lack of weight on the front wheels does encourage a rather switched-on driver behind the wheel. With 430kW and 850Nm, 15kW and 200Nm of which comes from its mild-hybrid system, it’s a brutal package, and it's raw, muscular and seriously cool, so there is no doubt that this beast will sell.
Electrified G
Now the big news is the arrival of the G580, which many thought would wear the EQG badge. This is the electrified addition to the Geländewagen lineup, and with an electric motor behind each wheel, you know it's going to be rapid. With all four motors running at full tilt, the G580 offers 432kW and 1,164Nm with a 0-100km/h time of 4.7 seconds. The G-Class is also known for its less-than-ideal fuel consumption, which is mostly a factor due to its old-school box shape. The G580 EQ then has some streamlined touches, providing a better drag coefficient than the G63 and offering a range of 473km. Fast-charging capabilities are becoming increasingly important, and with a 10%-80% fast charge time of 32 minutes, it's less of a hassle to live with as opposed to most other slower-charging EVs.
E off-roading
But it’s a G-Class, so its ability off-road is arguably the most important element, and it’s here that I realised electric off-roading added a new world of capability to a car. To begin, there is a similar array of buttons as you would expect in a hardcore off-roader, but some have a different function than we are used to. For example, there is a low-range option once you are in the rock-crawl mode, which provides enough torque to reverse the rotation of the earth. The torque is exceptional, and any incline requires nothing more than idling to overcome. The entire trail we tackled would have challenged any traditional off-roader, but in the G580, I didn’t need to touch the throttle once.
Also, the lack of drive shafts means that you can't have diff-locks, in which the ICE G would typically have three. In return, there is a virtual diff-lock function that reads the traction environment and ensures that the wheels with the most traction get exactly the right amount of power, and my word, does it work well.
It's unbelievably capable. Even in the wet with on-road tyres, we tackled every obstacle without breaking traction. Also, due to the lower centre of gravity thanks to the battery position under the cabin, its rollover angle is terrifyingly steep, with banking angles up to 38 degrees achieved during our test. Plus, its sophisticated camera selection makes up for the lack of visibility and offers a greater sense of confidence when crossing those hair-raisingly tight bridge crossings.
Even the angles are impressive, with an approach angle of 32 degrees, a departure angle of 30.7 degrees, a break-over angle of 20.3 degrees, a ground clearance of 250mm and a wading depth of 850mm. These figures prove that it is almost unmatched in its capabilities, and it seems quite happy in the wet too.
Another interesting function is the G-Turn, which locks the inside rear wheel and allows the car to rotate effectively around a point. We have seen this technology in Chinese offerings like the Tank 500 and 300, but the G-Turn, although similar in idea, works perfectly every time and makes guiding this sizeable SUV through the tricky trails a breeze.
Lastly, it has what Mercedes-Benz has named the G-Spin. If you haven’t seen this nifty trick on social media, it's effectively a fallback feature if you need to turn around in a pinch. In practice, it is a feature that allows the wheels on each side of the vehicle to spin in opposite directions in the same spot. Similar to how a tank would turn around.
Protection at its finest
I know I'm not alone in the belief that electrified off-roading is dangerous, with the possibility of rupturing the battery and causing a mother of a fire or shorting out in a water crossing and frying everybody standing on wet ground. But to ensure this doesn't happen, Mercedes has tested its underbody protection to ensure the battery is completely protected. They claim it can rest three times the car's body weight on its underbody protection, so bumping it on the trails is not a concern.
Pricing
Now how do you price an electric G-Class? It could sit as a healthy medium between the G450d and the G63, which is now offered at R4,415,916. But, realistically, with extensive new technology, four motors, and performance comparable to the larger G63, it's no surprise that the G580 Edition One starts at R4,647,456. It’s a steep bill to foot upon initial inspection, but its competency off-road and comfort on the tar are unmatched compared to the G63, plus it will give its V8 sibling a run for its money off the line. It offers more, so the price makes sense.
Verdict
So two new G-Classes are now in the spotlight, and the G63 didn’t disappoint. Retaining everything that makes an AMG G63 so unbelievably popular, with its slightly refined but iconic exterior, big V8 and up-to-date interior, it’s a car that sells itself. As for the G580, well, it’s the first attempt at a hardcore electrified off-roader from Merc, and the results are nothing short of exemplary. On the road, it's just as fast as the G63 but costs a lot less to run. It also offers a smoother and more competent driving experience, and that’s before we touch on its innovative off-road technology. It’s an impressive machine, one that will likely never find its way onto a serious off-road trail, but if it does, it's bound to upset any competitor.
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