Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ (EQG) Bookings Commence For India

• Bookings for the electric version of the G-Class SUV have begun in India
• Features All Wheel Drive (AWD) with four electric motors
• Made its debut as the ‘EQG’, since has been renamed to ‘G580 with EQ Technology’
• Gets similar body to the I.C.E. version but has some EV specific changes like a closed-off grille and redesigned bumpers. 
• Equipped with a 116 kWh battery pack
• Produces 587 PS of power and 1164 N-m of torque
• Claimed range of up to 473 km accroding to the WLTP cycle
• Expect prices to start at the ₹3 crore mark (ex-showroom)

Exterior And Nomenclature

The electric G-Wagon retains the iconic boxy shape, circular LED DRLs and LED projector headlights as seen on the I.C.E. model. In addition to the above, it gets a few EV specific changes like a closed off black front grille with illumination around it, and redesigned front and rear bumpers. It also gets 20-inch alloy wheels (for AMG spec) and a new tailgate mounted compartment for storing the charger, which replaces the spare wheel found on the normal G-Wagon.

When the electric G-Wagon concept was first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Expo, it was initially called the ‘EQG’. However, since then it has been rebranded to ‘G 580 with EQ Technology’ during its global market unveil. 

Features and Interior

It has a black themed cabin, a multi-function steering wheel with haptic feedback touch controls and squared-off AC vents. It gets dual 12.3-inch displays, a touchscreen for infotainment and one for instrumentation, a voice assistant and an augmented reality based heads up display (HUD). 

As for safety; it gets multiple airbags, a 360-degree camera, traffic sign assist, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and driver attentiveness alert to name a few.

Charging And Powertrain

It supports fast charging up to 200 kW, which juices it from 10 to 80 percent in a claimed 32 minutes. The battery can also be topped-up via an 11 kW AC home charger for overnight recharges. Also included in the mix are five drive modes, three for road use: Comfort, Sport, Individual and two for off-road: Trail, Rock.

Pricing And Rivals

Expected to be priced at around ₹3 crore (ex-showroom) and it will serve as an electric alternative to the conventional internal combustion powered G-Class. As such the Electric G does not have any direct rivals, but the normal G-Wagen goes up against the likes of the Land Rover Defender, Lexus LX-Toyota Land Cruiser duo, BMW XM and the Audi Q8 to name a few.