Mercedes EQG: Specifications
Release date: 2024 (estimate)
price: From $140,000 (estimated)
Energy: To be announced
battery range: To be announced
0 to 60 mph: To be announced
Smarts: New high efficiency silicon content battery, four-wheel drive system
Mercedes has been gradually expanding its range of electric vehicles over the past two years, from the smallest and cheapest model to eventually reaching the more expensive models. In the US you will find EQB, EQE, and many other similar cars. You’ll notice that they all have the same type of name, “EQ” followed by a letter similar to the current S-class, E-class, etc.
This new naming scheme will soon expand to include an electric version of the G-Class, the iconic squared-back SUV that started life as G-Wagen in 1979. To be called EQG, the car started life as a concept. At the Munich Motor Show in September 2021, expected to arrive in 2024. Here’s everything we know about the Mercedes EQG so far.
Mercedes EQG: Speculating on Pricing and Availability
Mercedes has yet to say how much the EQG will cost, but current G-Class prices start at around $130,000. Given the disparity between a combustion engine and electric cars, this means the EQG will likely be one of the company’s most expensive electric vehicles. Sitting above the current leader, the $105,000 Mercedes EQS.
Mercedes hasn’t said exactly when the electric version of the G-Class will arrive, but we expect to see it carry the badge for 2024.
Mercedes EQG: range and battery
As usual, it’s hard to predict much about a future car based on the concept car. The EQG concept Mercedes showed off in 2021 was a consistent example of what an electric G-Class might one day look like. And instead of concrete technical information, the Mercedes website currently shows an EQG oddly enough, star wars page (Opens in a new tab) This information is rather short.
What we do know is that the EQG will be the first Mercedes to use the new high-silicon content battery technology, which promises to offer a greater range than a more compact battery pack.
Mercedes claims that the battery’s silicon anode contributes to an increased energy density of between 20-40%. This technology has already been demonstrated in a prototype car called see EQXXWith a capacity of 100 kWh and a declared range of more than 700 miles, it is twice as efficient as today’s EVs.
That could be a huge deal for the EQG, which, given its relatively small wheelbase, was expected to have a battery smaller than the 107.8 kWh option available in the EQS. Add energy density improvements to new battery technology, and the electric G-Class may have the longest range of any EV in its class.
Mercedes EQG: performance
Today’s AMG version of the G-Class is among the fastest SUVs on sale, hitting 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Replace the V8 with four electric motors, one for each wheel, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the EQG was faster, perhaps significantly.
The car will undoubtedly be a heavy beast, with the battery expected to weigh around 1,100 pounds on its own. But it wouldn’t be unreasonable for the hottest version of the EQG to get a time under four seconds from 0-60 mph.
Off-road driving is likely to be a solid solution for EQG, as Mercedes plans to fit the car with four engines, giving individual control of power, torque and braking power delivered to every corner of the car. Mercedes said in 2021: “With four electric motors close to the wheels and individually controlled, the vehicle will offer unique driving characteristics both on and off-road.
As with any true SUV, the Concept EQG’s off-road reduction can be activated via a two-speed convertible gearbox in order to meet the high demands of off-road with confidence. “
Mercedes EQG: Design
We only have the EQG concept to go on at the moment, but we suspect the production version will stray too far from this. The current G-Class is already a design icon in the automotive world, thanks to its boxy, retro design with a semi-vertical windshield, flat sides and sharp rear.
It’s a utilitarian design that contrasts with the smooth, slippery bodies of most electric vehicles, but we think Mercedes will keep it, even if that means a less efficient shape and a bit less range as a result.
Key design details for the 2021 Concept include a front grille covered with decorative LED lighting, a full-width light strip on the roof, and distinctive light strips along the sides of the car, although a production version is unlikely to be made due to road vehicle legislation. The same goes for the light bar that goes around a lockable trunk in the rear, which mimics the spare wheel cover associated with old G-Wagens.
Aside from changes to these lighting details, we don’t expect the EQG to deviate much from the concept. Especially since this same show car looks very similar to the current generation of the G-Class, and Mercedes is unlikely to mess much with a winning formula.
Mercedes EQG: Interior Design and Features
Likewise, the concept car’s interior looks very close to production reality. The cabin and dashboard are usually where concept designers rush in, with the precious few surviving the shift to making them production ready. We don’t think that’s the case with the EQG Concept, which has an interior design very similar to that of the current G-Class, only with EV discs showing off power delivery and range.
Not much is known about the interior technology at the moment, but we expect to see an infotainment system similar to that found in other members of the Mercedes EQ family. It will be interesting to see if Mercedes produces a synthetic sound to recreate the rumble of its existing G-Class V8 engine, or whether it offers an entirely different soundscape for its first electric off-road vehicle.
Mercedes EQG: Expectations
Design-wise, we expect the production version of the EQG to look a lot like the 2021 concept, inside and out. Mercedes describes itself as the G-Class as a design icon, so the company is unlikely to stray from the current form of the G-Class.
There will, of course, be plenty of power on tap, and the EQG’s off-road capabilities will likely come from the top drawer thanks to the all-wheel drive system.
The most interesting thing is the battery pack. We’re intrigued to see how far Mercedes can achieve outside of the EQG package with its new high-silicon content battery technology. We’re also interested to see if this will mean great range, or whether Mercedes will be looking to shed some weight and instead offer a smaller, lighter battery with the 300 miles of range buyers today expect.
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