Experience the All-Electric 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 in Action: Conquering the Snow with Ride Time!

We’ve seen Mercedes-Benz's new electric G-wagen SUV before—but even better than seeing it, we hit the snow.

Mercedes-Benz Unveils Electric G-Wagen with Extended Launch Strategy

In a strategic move to build anticipation, Mercedes-Benz has announced its foray into the electric vehicle market with the upcoming G-Wagen. The company is prolonging the introduction of the new model, ensuring that enthusiasts eagerly await its arrival. While select individuals have had the opportunity to experience the G580 as passengers, Mercedes has restricted access to driving the G-Class until the global drive program begins later this month.

Despite this limitation, Mercedes has provided exclusive access to certain individuals, including a journey to the Arctic Circle. Here, participants had the chance to ride along and even drive the new G550 model in extreme weather conditions characterized by freezing temperatures, snow, and ice.

Mercedes Brings 2025 G580s on Arctic Expedition

During our journey from Saltstraumen, Norway, to the frozen-lake test tracks in Arjeplog, Sweden, Mercedes introduced two blue-camo-wrapped 2025 G580s for the expedition. These vehicles, designed to navigate extreme conditions, were accompanied by engineers driving two all-electric Gs and two G550s from Arjeplog. Their mission: to transport journalists, including myself, across the icy terrain for an exclusive firsthand experience.

The story unfolds without drama, as any uncertainties about the journey were swiftly dispelled. Among the two G580s accompanying us, one was an older test mule while the other was a more recent version. Although their software and hardware were mostly identical, the older vehicle had undergone extensive testing over several hundred thousand kilometers. Additionally, there was a noticeable aesthetic difference between them: one featured the traditional round spare tire cover, while the other sported a squircle carrier designed for storing charging cables. While opinions may vary, the latter design choice left some, including myself, less than impressed.

Navigating the Electric Challenge: Mercedes-Benz's Venture into Electric G-Wagen Terrain

Mercedes-Benz has openly discussed the formidable challenge of integrating electric components into the G-Wagen's existing framework without any alterations. Retaining the G's iconic ladder frame while accommodating all the necessary electric components proved to be a daunting task for the engineers. However, they successfully managed to fit the battery within the frame's width, ensuring that the G580 maintains its river-fording capabilities akin to a traditional G-Wagen.

Preserving maximum off-road capability was paramount for Mercedes, prompting the decision to equip the G580 with four electric motors—one for each wheel. This setup, reminiscent of the Rivian R1 platforms, underscores Mercedes' commitment to delivering unparalleled performance, both on and off the road.

Under the hood of the Mercedes G580, where once resided gasoline or diesel engines, now sit the power inverter, DC-DC converter, and vehicle control modules—all neatly tucked away beneath a cover. While inspecting under the hood reveals nothing visible, all the essential electronic components are snugly housed within. The battery capacity is estimated to be around 120 kWh, although it remains unclear whether this figure represents gross or net capacity (likely the latter, i.e., usable capacity).

The anticipated range for the G580 is approximately 275 miles, aligning closely with the Rivian R1S's 285-mile range for the quad-motor version equipped with off-road tires. Although it remains uncertain if the G580 will offer street tires, it's likely that it will, potentially extending its range. For context, the Rivian R1S fitted with 21-inch street tires boasts an increased range of 328 miles, making for a compelling comparison.

Source: Motertrend‍