100% G-Class. 100% electric. Meet the new G 580 with EQ Technology.

Written by Ken Pearson, images from Mercedes-Benz Media.

The long-awaited fully electric G-wagen arrives with four electric motors, a 116 kWh battery, 285 mile WLTP range and even greater off-road ability than the newly updated piston-powered model. Even better - it's on sale now.

Visually, the new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology is almost indistinguishable from the piston-powered G. The only differences are the bonnet which is ever so slightly taller than the piston-powered G and features a raised central section, the rear wheelarch which sees an air inlet and the windscreen that has a new spoiler attached to it - both in the interest of improving aerodynamic efficiency. Finally, at the rear is a new feature called the Design Box that acts as a storage spot for the charging cable. The top part is painted black to make it blend in with the rear glass while the lower part is finished in the body colour.

Other markets get the new illuminated grille but we do not for the time being - I expect this to change in the not too distant future. For now, the new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology shares the same four-bar grille as the petrol and diesel G.

Speaking of storage space, the boot floor is raised slightly which means a small reduction in luggage space; 555 litres is on offer, as opposed to 575 litres in a petrol or diesel G. There is no front boot either but popping the bonnet does offer a good view of two of the car's four electric motors. Yes, four. The new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology has a motor for each wheel which combine to deliver 587 horsepower and a colossal 1,164 NM torque. Wow. It'll run from 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 112 mph.

 The motors are powered by a 116 kWh capacity battery which sits within the car's ladder-frame chassis. Maximum claimed range is up to 285 miles and the car can be recharged at a maximum of 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC. Rapid charging will take 30 minutes from 10-80% in line with the rest of the electric model range while home charging with a 7 kW home wallbox will take just under 17 hours from flat to full. 

The quad-motor powertrain allows for much greater individual wheel control than the magic locking differentials of the piston-G can offer and Mercedes-Benz say that the off-road ability is even greater with the new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology. Having a motor for each wheel means that each wheel can spin at different speeds in order to reduce the turning circle, or even spin in different directions to allow the car to rotate on the spot. The G-Turn spins the car around by up to 720^o - or two complete rotations - for if you really do need to change direction in a tight spot or just want to show off* a bit.

Inside, little has changed in general from the engine-equipped G aside from the buttons between the central vents; G-Turn and G-Steer gain their own dedicated shortcut buttons either side of the one for selecting low range gearing. Otherwise, it's identical with illuminated vents, the touch-sensitive steering wheel, MBUX infotainment and a leather-clad grab handle attached to the dashboard. The transparent bonnet feature comes as standard too; this uses the 360^o camera to show the driver what the G 580 is travelling over at low speeds and should be very handy for off-roading. 

Where things differ is with the Launch Edition that we will be getting in the UK. Black and silver pearl nappa leather is nicely contrasted with blue stitching on the seats, dashboard, steering wheel and doors. Carbon fibre with blue highlights completes the interior trim, even featuring on the dash-mounted grab handle - itself home to an EDITION ONE plaque.  

There's a choice of five exterior colours for the Launch Edition: obsidian black metallic, opalite white bright, classic grey solid and two magno finishes: south sea blue and opalite white. This is paired with the Night Package, black 20" aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels and the  Design Box  at the rear.  

Further standard equipment for the Edition One includes MULTIBEAM LED lights, keyless entry, door handle buttons with the G logo in black, puddle lights that project STRONGER THAN TIME slogan onto the ground, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Burmester surround sound system, the glass sunroof, and much more. 

The new model is on sale now, starting from £180,060 on the road. Production begins in July with market introduction due later this year. This model has been a long time coming but the time is now if you want to be one of the first to experience or own a fully electric G-Class. Register your interest with us now to find out more or to place an order for a brand new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology.