The Little G is expected to come onto the market around 2026 as the smaller and cheaper brother of the G-Class
April 14, 2024 at 4:00 p.m
Mercedes recently confirmed that its first electric G-Class, based on the thinly-veiled 2021 EQG concept, will be unveiled in production form at the upcoming Auto China Show in Beijing on April 24, along with a number of other new models . But that’s not the only hardcore SUV that goes electric, as Mercedes is also developing a smaller “baby” G-Wagen.
The existence of the new car was initially confirmed after the presentation of the electric Concept CLA-Class at the IAA 2023 in Munich. In a conversation with Car at the time, Mercedes Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer emphasized the global recognition of the G-Class nameplate and advocated expanding the range.
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“Why not have a bigger G family?” he asked. “AMG started small. Maybach also started very small. We believe we can get a lot more out of the G, so the next step is the ‘little G’.”
At the beginning of the year, Schäfer confirmed in an interview with Autocar that the upcoming model will only have an electric drive. Although he didn’t provide any further details, it is speculated that the Little G will follow in the footsteps of the electric CLA and share a number of powertrain components.
Platform and reach
However, Schäfer pointed out that the Little G will not ride on the MMA platform that will be used in the CLA. Instead, it will reportedly be based on a different architecture and “use modules from the larger rear-wheel-drive Mercedes vehicles, as it needs to offer real off-road capabilities.” This suggests the model will be far more powerful than the GLB, which was originally touted as the “Baby G.”
Details have yet to be confirmed, but the German automaker has previously indicated that the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) will offer two different battery options. The base configuration uses lithium iron phosphate chemistry, while the high-end variant includes a silicon oxide anode design that promises superior energy density.
Mercedes said this would enable a WLTP range of more than 466 miles (750 km). The company has also suggested that its upcoming electric vehicles will feature 800V architecture and 250kW DC fast charging capability, which will allow models like the CLA to achieve a range of up to 248 miles in just 15 minutes ( 400 km) to reach minutes. The same should also apply to the small G-Wagen.
Exterior and interior
Apparently, the yet-to-be-named Baby G-Class will inherit its design from its bigger brother. Our speculative rendering aims to capture this essence, maintaining the G-Class’s boxy and utilitarian appearance while adding a modern touch.
We’ve incorporated new styling features such as black bumpers and fender extensions that blend more seamlessly with the body. Additionally, we lowered the height of the greenhouse for a more aggressive stance and added slightly rounded corners. Our experiments spanned two different grille options: a traditional one and a modern one inspired by the EQG concept. The result is a vehicle that is instantly recognizable as part of the G-Class family, yet refreshed for a younger audience.
The interior is also likely to borrow heavily from the recently refreshed G-Class, combining luxury with high-tech features like dual screens and an MBUX infotainment system, all in a similarly boxy interior design.
When will it go on sale?
While Mercedes has officially confirmed the Baby G-Class, a release date remains under wraps. However, analysts expect the company to begin producing the zero-emission luxury SUV at its factory in Kecskemet, Hungary, in late 2026. The start of sales is planned for the first quarter of 2027.
More: Mercedes boss confirms that a small G-Class will be coming in a few years
When it comes to pricing, the full-size G-Class is considered one of the most expensive SUVs on the market today, costing a whopping $143,000 in the US. This should give you an idea of what demographic Mercedes is targeting with its upcoming electric Baby G wagon.
While no concrete details are available yet, our most optimistic estimate puts the starting price at no less than $60,000. Depending on a number of factors such as size and available power and battery options that have not yet been announced, it could be even higher.
John Halas and Mike Gauthier contributed to this story.
