Mercedes-Benz presented at this year's edition of the Munich Motor Show the EQG Concept , a prototype that anticipates the future Electric G-Class, which will be unveiled in 2024.
Electrifying an icon like the Geländewagen would always be a complicated task, after all, we are facing one of the last “pure and hard” on the off-road, which has more than 40 years of history and more than 400,000 units sold.
But the Stuttgart brand's approach took all of this into account and it's something that is quite noticeable in the overall shape of this prototype, which already allows us to get a good idea of what the production version will be like.
There are many elements of the G-Class that have been transferred to this Concept EQG and that will ensure the continuity of the DNA of this model, which also does not hide — nor could it … — the fact that it is the basis of yet another model in the Mercedes EQ range. -Benz.
At the front, the iconic circular LED headlamps and the glossy black panel that take the place of the traditional grille and which has the illuminated Mercedes-Benz star stand out. Around it, a pattern that lights up and helps to create an even more striking visual identity.
In profile, there are many similarities with the current G-Class. Highlight for the two-tone bodywork paint — glossy aluminum below the windows and glossy black above — and for the 22" wheels, not forgetting the lighting installed in the side exterior mirrors, which is teamed with the LED lighting mounted on the front, on the roof and rear box, which instead of “tidying” a spare tire now serve to store the charging cables.
And this is really the biggest highlight of the Concept EQG's rear section, which also has a third brake light in a very high position, above the roof.
Mercedes-Benz has not shown any image of the interior of this prototype, but has already provided some information about the production model, which is being developed based on the same platform as the G-Class combustion.
Four engines, one per wheel
In other words, underneath its stylish bodywork there is still the chassis with spars and crossmembers — together with the independent front suspension and rigid rear axle — but which here will be able to accommodate a battery pack and four electric motors, one per wheel, it will be possible to independently control each one of them, which allows a very efficient torque distribution when driving off-road.
Furthermore, the Stuttgart brand promises a two-speed transmission, with a specially developed gear ratio for maximum off-road performance. It has a long and a short gait, like a gearbox.
Regardless of the engine, Mercedes-Benz aims to preserve the off-road characteristics that have always made the G-Class an example. And for this EQG the requirement will be no different.
For the production version to be able to carry the letter “G” in the name — even if associated with the acronym EQ, which identifies all trams of the German brand — it must be able to meet all the challenges in the Austrian mountain of Schöckl, just a few kilometers away from Graz, where the G-Class is manufactured.
This has been one of the testing grounds for all generations of the G-Class and will also be instrumental in the development of the future EQG.