First Drive: The Mercedes G580 takes the G-Wagen into the electric age

What is it?

The Mercedes G-Class is one of the most recognisable cars on the roads today. Commonly referred to as the ‘G-Wagen’, it’s a car which has appeared in countless music videos and continues to be the go-to choice for drivers who want to make an impression no matter where they go.

You’ll see most G-Wagens equipped with a 4.0-litre V8 in performance AMG models, but what if you’re looking for a version of this car that plays a little under the radar when it comes to performance? Enter the G580 – Mercedes’ first electric G-Class.

What’s new?

The outside of the G580 does a great poker face – you can’t tell it has an electric powertrain underneath. But what’s the challenge that has been posed to Mercedes engineers: create an electric G-Clas while keeping all of the regular car’s attributes and character.

The result is a car which doesn’t shout about its electric powertrain but still aims to have the look and feel of the standard petrol and diesel models. It’s why the central locking system still activates with a reassuring ‘thunk’ and the doors require a decent slam to get them to shut properly. They’re all character traits of the ‘normal’ G-Wagen which have been retained to put extra character into this electric model.

What’s under the bonnet?

Underpinning the G580 is a powertrain as beefy as the car’s exterior. It’s all powered by a frankly enormous battery – 116kWh in total – which is one of the largest you’ll find on an electric car today. It’s then linked to four electric motors, one linked to each wheel. As a result, you get four-wheel-drive and the ability to independently control each wheel, unlocking a new level of off-road capability.

Of course, this does come at a weight penalty. In fact, the G-Class comes in at just over 3.2 tonnes. It’s why, despite that huge battery, the G580 will still only manage around 280 miles from a full charge. That said, a maximum charge rate of 200kW means a 20 to 80 per cent charge could be completed in 30 minutes.

What’s it like to drive?

Naturally, things feel a little alien at first when driving the G580. There’s no V8 burble, no gravelly diesel tone – just serene silence. It matches the car quite nicely, in truth, and you can scythe along without making a sound. As with all G-Wagens, there’s the sheer size of the car to contend with, but you have a brilliantly elevated view of the road ahead and all manner of parking camera and sensors to assist you.

But then there’s the sheer pace of the thing. Bearing in mind that the G580 weighs well over three tonnes, it feels absurd to manage 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. It’s quite an alarming turn of pace, in fact, as the whole car lurches towards the horizon. It’s only ever-so-slightly slower than the petrol-powered G63, in fact, but it feels even naughtier considering the G580 makes no noise whatsoever. Of course, being a G-Wagen means that this model still gets a huge range of off-road features, including an innovative ‘G-Turn’ which allows the car to spin on the spot.

How does it look?

As we’ve touched upon, there aren’t all that many ways to differentiate the G580 from the rest of the G-Class range and that’s not a bad thing. You still get the same boxy, eye-catching dimensions, circular headlights and iconic bonnet-mounted indicators, so if you’re after a car that few people will think is an EV, this could be the car for you.

The charging port is located under the traditional fuel filler cap and you get some slightly more aerodynamic wheels for lower drag. Aside from these, there’s not a lot different – but it still looks iconic.

What’s it like inside?

Again, not a lot has changed inside the G580 – but it’s all very pleasant in there. High-quality materials are used throughout and it’s all focused around an easy-to-navigate central display and driver readout. Up front, you’re treated to an impressive view of the road ahead and there are chunky hand-holds to use too.

Rear-seat space is decent enough, but as with all G-Class models, it’s quite a clamber up to access the back seats. There’s a handy 620-litre boot, too, which can be expanded up to 1,990 litres by lowering the rear seats. There’s a bit of a ‘step’ in the middle when the seats are lowered, but it’s not too much to contend with.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the G580 start from £154,870, versus £141,065 for a diesel-powered G450d, or £189,375 for the V8 G63. While running costs aren’t usually a big factor in this area of the market – or for this type of car – if you’re able to charge the G580 at home, then you’ll pay a fraction of what it’d take to run the other two. Over the course of a year, we’d expect to see far lower running costs with this battery-powered model than the petrol or diesel cars.

Of course, you still get all of the kit you could need on the G580, including a Burmester sound system, heated steering wheel and full LED headlights. Our test car, in range-topping Edition One specification, tipped in at just over £180,000 – we’d just opt for the standard car instead and keep the cost down.

Verdict

It might seem controversial to put an electric setup into such a traditionally combustion-engined vehicle, but once you’re behind the wheel, the G580 actually makes a lot of sense. It feels like a true G-Wagen which happens to be powered by electricity, rather than the other way around. Mercedes has managed to bring all of the feel and character you’d usually get from the petrol or diesel-powered models into this battery-powered version – and character is something which is so often missing from EVs.

Sure, it’s expensive and might seem a little over-the-top – but that could be argued of the entire G-Class range anyway. As far as electric cars go, it’s one of the most exciting on the roads today.