Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG Is an Electric G-Wagen

As part of its accelerating shift to electrification, Mercedes-Benz is rolling out new vehicles and concepts at a staggering pace. During the 2021 IAA Mobility show in Germany, the automaker showed off the Concept EQG, an all-electric take on its legendary G-Class SUV. The futuristic off-roader looks as if a Geländewagen got lost in an LED light factory, but it’s just a concept for now.

The G-Wagen is one of the most easily recognizable vehicles on the road today, and the Concept EQG capitalizes on that brand equity. The round headlights, square-ish grille, and boxy, upright shape are all very much G-Class hallmarks. In place of a traditional grille, however, the electric G-Wagen features an illuminated border and glow-in-the-dark Mercedes star. Mimicking the front-end lighting effects, each side mirror has an additional LED light circle.

The EQG concept vehicle gets 22-inch polished wheels reminiscent of the monoblock rollers Mercedes offered in the 1980s and 90s, though the EV won’t get the G-Wagen’s trademark spare tire carrier on its tailgate. Rather than hauling around a spare, the concept offers a lockable storage box for charging cables, and yes, it has even more LED lighting. Mercedes thinks this appendage looks just like a Wallbox, a brand of home charging stations.

Even though it’s still very much in the concept stage, the EQG is far from just a looker. Mercedes says it still rides on a rugged ladder frame, just like its G-Wagen predecessor, and notes that it will offer legitimate off-road capability.

Mercedes believes that the EQG’s battery position makes it ideal for off-road use. Its integration with the ladder frame gives the vehicle a low center of gravity, and the electric powertrain’s ability to generate maximum torque from a standstill provides the SUV with an advantage on steep slopes and challenging terrain.

The vehicle also gets an independent front suspension and a solid rear axle, both of which Mercedes developed to integrate with an electric powertrain. Four electric motors are on board, located near the wheels, and drivers can can individually control them for excellent off-road traction. A shiftable 2-speed gearbox is also along for the ride.

Mercedes will take the Concept EQG to the 1,445-meter high Schöckl mountain in Graz, Austria, to prove its might on the trail before its move from development into production. Once the vehicle has successfully passed the test, it will be able to wear the “Schöckl proved” badge that the fossil fuel-powered G-Class has earned.

Expect a production version of the Mercedes-Benz EQG to arrive around 2025.

Mercedes-Benz is the source of information for this article. It was accurate on September 7, 2021, but it may have changed since that date.