Mercedes Benz Revises 'Small G-Class' Electrification Plan, Turns to Hybrid

*This content was translated by AI.

Mercedes-Benz has decided to add a hybrid powertrain to the "Baby G-Class (tentative name Little G)," which was originally planned as an electric vehicle-only model. This is a strategy revision to cope with slowing global demand for electric vehicles and changes in the market environment, and Mercedes-Benz plans to secure market flexibility by selling pure electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid models in parallel.

The compact offloader, internally dubbed the "Little G," is being developed with a goal of launching in 2027, and the hybrid model will feature a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline turbo engine applied to the new CLA sedan. The engine is produced by Horse Powertrain, a joint venture between Gili and Renault in China, and is combined with an electric motor to provide strong driving power and efficiency.

The pure electric vehicle version is equipped with an NMC battery with an 85kWh capacity, aiming for a driving range of about 724km (450 miles) based on WLTP. This is significantly higher than the driving distance (450 km) of the existing large electric G-class G-580. The electric vehicle model is designed to maintain off-road performance by applying a dual motor four-wheel drive system, and to allocate optimal driving power to each wheel through sophisticated torque vectoring technology.

The exterior of the vehicle inherits the iconic box-type design of the existing G-Class and the "Military Chic" style such as circular headlamps, vertical glazed glass, and rear spare tires. The body is expected to have a two-row, five-seater structure similar to that of GLB, and instead of sharing the platform with an electric GLC or C-class, it uses a dedicated bespoke ladder-frame platform to emphasize its identity as an authentic off-roader.

The launch price of the Baby G-Class is expected to be set at about 50% compared to the existing G580 EV, which is expected to significantly lower entry barriers. Mercedes-Benz plans to expand its market share in the compact luxury off-road market by competing with Land Rover Defender Sports and others through this new car.

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*This content was translated by AI.