The all-electric G-Wagen from Mercedes-Benz has redefined the term ‘doing donuts’. An electric motor on each of the four wheels allows the vehicle to do spectacular ‘tank turns’. See the video below.
It’s called the G-Turn function, activated by a button on the dashboard. It tells the electric motors to spin the wheels forward on one side of the vehicle and backwards on the other. The result is an on-the-spot 360-degree turn. Shift paddles on the steering wheel control a left or right axis.
The manoeuvre was first seen in action in 2019 on Rivian’s prototype R1S pick-up and SUV. The American start-up also used a four-motor layout, but it dropped the ability to tank turn from production models.
“At first we thought the G-Turn would be a nice feature to have but not entirely necessary,” the chief of M-B’s off-road division, Dr Emmerich Schiller, told media at a special preview in Europe. “But after testing it, we discovered it does offer practical advantages in tight situations off-road and decided to offer it on the production model.”
Schiller described the new EQG model as an “unparalleled combination of luxury and off-road ability for electric vehicles”. He said: “From the start, it was decided the electric G-Class should be at least as good as the internal combustion engine model both on-road and off-road. We didn’t want to compromise on capabilities.”
The four electric motors – one powering each individual wheel – is a production first for the EV division of M-B. It was tailored for the G-Wagen to provide what M-B says is an unrivalled combination of off-road performance and refined on-road qualities.
Up front, the motors are mounted low down at each side within the axle, a configuration that improves the EQG’s turning circle over that of the existing petrol- and diesel-powered W463 G-Wagen. At the rear of the EQG the motors are positioned more inboard within a beam-type axle specifically designed to boost off-road performance.
Each motor can send drive to each wheel via a mechanical two-speed gearbox, offering both high- and low-range gearing. Like the W463 G-Wagen, the EQG has the ability to lock three differentials – front axle, transfer case, rear axle – for off-road progress. When the going gets gnarly, drive from all four motors can be sent to a single wheel. There is also a crawler mode for a pre-determined speed.
The EQG sits on a modified version of the same steel ladder-frame chassis that underpins the W463. Like it, the EQG will be built by M-B partner Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.
The lithium-ion battery pack is housed in a sealed steel case and mounted beneath the floor and rear seat. The case itself is encased in high-strength carbon-fibre to further protect the pack from off-road bumps and bruises. M-B puts the battery’s energy capacity at around 100kWh, claiming its efficiency has been boosted by a new silicon anode. It is also reportedly lighter and smaller than the battery in its electric SUV stablemates the EQE and EQS.
Nothing yet about power and torque figures. There have been hints of variants with different outputs, including an AMG flagship with electric power to match the 430kW/850Nm delivered by the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 in the G63 4Matic.
Nothing also about the weight of the EQG. “Weight is a challenge – as it is in any electric vehicle,” Schiller told media. “We haven’t got a final figure yet but it is below 3500kg.” The G63 4Matic with the V8 petrol engine weighs in at around 2650kg.
EQG is expected to be publicly unveiled later this year, before going on sale in Europe in 2024. Right-hand-drives might arrive in NZ in 2025. Take it as read that they will start in price at a lot more than the $300,000 or so M-B dealers in NZ are asking for the G63 4Matic.