Mercedes-Benz is accelerating its electrification strategy, and the latest news shows that the brand will launch a new pure electric member of the G Class family. This electric off-road vehicle, code-named “Little G“, is expected to be officially launched in 2027, with a starting price of about ₹63 Lakhs in the UK market, and will become the first entry-level product of the G-Class sub-brand.
Since announcing in 2021 that the G Class would be built as an independent sub-brand, Mercedes-Benz has continued to expand its product matrix. Brand CEO Ola Källenius confirmed the “Little G” R&D plan in the fall of 2023. The new car will inherit the G-Class’s iconic hard-core design language, but the overall size will be more compact. It is worth noting that this model will completely abandon traditional fuel power and be built on Mercedes-Benz’s latest developed MB.EA pure electric exclusive platform.
A Compact Yet Powerful Addition to the G Class Family
Based on the MB.EA architecture designed for medium and large electric vehicles, the “Little G” will be equipped with an 800V high-voltage electrical system and a new generation of power battery packs, with an estimated WLTP range of 700 kilometers. Although the specific power parameters have not yet been announced, referring to the current electric G Class (G 580 with EQ Technology) with 587 horsepower and 1,164 Nm of four-motor configuration, it is expected that the new car will adopt a more efficient drive system.
In terms of design, the engineering team has retained the classic square box shape of the G Class while reducing the drag coefficient by about 15% compared to the current model by optimizing the curvature of the body surface, adopting hidden door handles and active air intake grilles. The unique lowercase “g” logo on the rear of the car will become the exclusive logo of the series of models.
As an affordable option for the G Class family, the “Little G” has a starting price at around ₹63 lakh . which is significantly more expensive than the current electric G-Class starting from over ₹1.6 crore. The new car will target luxury electric SUVs such as the electric Land Rover Defender and the electric Land Rover Range Rover Evoque as direct competitors. Mercedes-Benz product planning director revealed that the five-seat “Little G” will focus on enhancing the driving experience in urban commuting scenarios while retaining its iconic off-road genes.
This new model’s release aligns with Mercedes-Benz’s most recent strategic change. By the end of 2023, the business plans to cease manufacturing its entry-level commercial vehicles, such as the Citan and eCitan, which were constructed using the Renault Kangoo platform. Mercedes-Benz will concentrate more on high-end electrified commercial vehicles in the future. According to industry analysts, the company’s twin strategy to maintain its lead in the rapidly evolving automotive market is reflected in this move towards “luxury-focused offerings” and the drive to increase the G Class electric lineup.
According to Mercedes-Benz’s official schedule, “Little G” will enter the engineering verification phase in 2024 and release a pre-production version in 2026. As the demand for electric off-road vehicles in major markets around the world continues to heat up, this model with both classic pedigree and innovative technology may reshape the luxury electric SUV market.