Mercedes-Benz India to launch electric G 580 on January 9, 2025

Mercedes-Benz India has just announced that the electric G-Class, officially known as the G 580 with EQ Technology, will make its India debut in production-spec on January 9, 2025. The compmay could also announce prices on the same day. The electric G-Class was previously shown in concept guise at the Bharat Mobility Show in January this year before it went on sale globally around mid-2024.

Mercedes-Benz says the new G-Class electric is an “uncompromised” machine that can outperform its combustion-engined sibling when driving off-road. The lengthy moniker – G 580 with EQ Technology – represents a shift in the naming strategy for electric Mercedes vehicles, and also showcases how the G 580 was developed to be a G-Class that just happens to be battery powered.

Mercedes G 580: design updates and interior

The G 580 is virtually identical in design to the G 450d, with a subtle reworking of the grille and discrete EQ badges to set it apart. But there has been some work to maximise aerodynamic efficiency, including a new A-pillar design and a new spoiler lip on the front of the roof.

The G 580 also features a new aerodynamically sculpted bonnet, resulting in a drag coefficient of 0.44, down from 0.48Cd for the latest G 450d. The optional spare wheel holder mounted on the rear boot can be replaced with a similarly-styled charging cable holder. The interior, too, remains virtually unchanged from the regular G-Class, save for some switchgear having new EV-specific functions.

Mercedes G 580: powertrain, battery and off-road gear

The G 580 uses four electric motors, with one powering each wheel of the car. Each motor produces 147hp, combining for a maximum output of 587hp, along with a mammoth 1,165Nm of torque. Each motor also gets a separate 2-speed gearbox. Mercedes says the G 580 has a 0-100kph time of less than 5 seconds and a top speed of 180kph, but the real focus is on delivering off-road performance. The 116kWh battery, shared with the EQS, can be fast-charged at speeds of up to 200kW and gives a claimed range of 470km.

The G 580 retains the same independent front suspension, with a new rigid axle at the rear containing the integrated electric drive unit, and virtual rather than mechanical differential locks to offer optimised torque vectoring. There is a shiftable low-range transmission and it has a water wading capacity of 850mm, 100mm more than the regular G.

In addition, the G 580 offers three bespoke functions to aid off-road driving: a G-Turn, which allows it to rotate 720 degrees on the spot; G-Steering, which reduces the turning circle by enabling it to pivot around an individual wheel; and an off-road crawler function that can run as low as 2kph. The G 580. 

Mercedes GLE, GLS, S-Class facelifts not planned for 2025

While the S-Class facelift and second mid-lifecycle updates for the GLE and the GLS SUVs are set to be revealed soon for international markets, these models are not planned for an India entry next year.  Mercedes’ India line-up received the first updates for the GLE and the GLS in 2024 and they will continue to be sold through 2025. Similarly, the S-Class in its current avatar will soldier on for another year.