First Look: Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen Goes All-Electric

We all know the Geländewagen, that tall, narrow box on wheels, the German Jeep, the Swabian Ibex Maximus capable of climbing over the most treacherous terrain. Though originally developed as a military vehicle, Geländewagen found a secondary and much more lucrative market in the U.S. as an upscale profiler, a supreme off-roader adapted to on-road driving in happy bubbles across America. In my neighborhood in Greater Los Angeles, most are Mercedes-AMG G 63 hot rods, with a V8 sitting between those boxy flat front fenders.

Because Geländewagen is built the old-fashioned way, on a ladder frame, it was an obvious candidate for conversion to Mercedes’ highly advanced battery-electric drivetrain technology. You read that correctly: this is a pure electric propulsion off-road vehicle. Keep in mind that the defense industry of the west has explored the potential of battery-electric for near-silent scouting vehicles.

Geländewagen 580 retains the combination of independent double wishbone front suspension and solid rear axle familiar for some decades. The rear axle is a De Dion design (meaning it’s actually a form of semi-independent, a key element impacting power delivery at the rear wheels) and has been completely redeveloped to compliment the new powertrain.

But here’s the first in a series of tricks that should give this mountain goat four-footed capability when scrabbling over insanely rugged trails: each wheel has its own electric motor, the first series production Mercedes with individual-wheel drive. The four motors are integrated in the ladder frame—two in each housing at the front and rear axles. Power is delivered to the wheels by short axle shafts.

The 116-kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery is mounted midships along the keel, integrated into the central section of the ladder frame, under the passenger cabin. The battery pack is housed in a torsion-resistant casing to protect it from water and dirt intrusion. The torsion-resistance means that the oftentimes violent forces of off-roading won’t twist and thus disrupt the function of the battery pack.

As expected with an off-roader, there are what amount to sections of armor to protect the underbelly, in particular to protect the battery pack. The two-tiered lithium-ion battery has 216 cells installed in 12 cell modules between three cooling levels.

Each electric motor produces 145 electric-equivalent horsepower, which deliver a combined 579 horsepower. Far, far more importantly the motors deliver a total of 859 lb. ft. of torque that can be metered out to each wheel individually with absolute rheostat precision. It’s unlikely that even the most perfected and dialed-in Rubicon Trail off-roader with a gasoline engine and enormous flywheel could match the absolute precision of four electric motors with digital control. But it will be interesting to see how long-time rock hoppers take to this vehicle. Instead of a heavy flywheel retaining “energy” from a loping, low-revving gasoline engine, you have pure digital rheostat distribution of power. It will be a very different experience.

Torque is intelligently distributed to optimize traction, controlled by layers of “black boxes” that share data with and take commands from the vehicle’s “central brain.” To better understand, just think of those nature shows about mountain goats like the Alpine Ibex. Just like a mountain goat can immediately sense how much grip each foot has, how much forward thrust each foot can apply, so too the G 580’s computer-controlled powertrain.

Electric Dynamic Select adjusts the performance parameters for the motors, transmission, suspension, stability control and steering depending on the drive program. For on-road driving, we find the expected Mercedes menu of Comfort, Sport and Individual. The Comfort program is the default setting for cruising, and power is sent to one axle to increase efficiency, meaning on-road range. Perfect for driving to the golf club or shuttling a child to school.

But this is an off-roading vehicle. Select “Trail” or “Rock” programs tailored for off-road driving and a whole host of computer scripting comes into play.

To carry that mountain goat metaphor just a bit further, each electric motor has its own transmission. Familiar to anyone who goes off-roading in a conventional gas-powered vehicle, the G 580 has a low range off-road gear reduction, which allows the vehicle to walk over boulders in the smallest of increments with perfect control. Each electric motor is equipped with an individual transmission, which is centrally shifted and enables the four motors to operate independently. It truly operates like a 4-legged creature of the mountains.

So, to repeat and be clear, each axle is fitted with two electric motors, two transmissions and a double inverter in a shared housing. the amount of power reaching each individual wheel can be precisely metered.

In the “Rock” program, which might come in handy at resorts near Moab or Enchantment in Sedona, tour guides can activate the low range using the off-road control center. This activates a gear reduction ratio of 2:1, which increases the drive torque. Handling and response characteristics are then optimized for off-road excursions on rugged terrain, including steep ascents and descents. In these off-roading calibrations, top speed is restricted to 53 mph. The intelligent off-road crawl function is also always active when low range is engaged. Basically, if you select “Rock,” the scripting assumes you are moving at extremely low speeds.

Here are a few additional specs. G 580 has the ability to climb up to a 100-percent grade on some surfaces—it can climb a wall. That is the sort of test military vehicles must pass, to climb the steepest possible berms, to climb over the earthwork fortifications of an opposing force. Between the front and rear axles, G 580 has 9.8 inches of ground clearance before anything can reach its well armored underbelly. Maximum fording depth is 33.5 inches. Mercedes states that Geländewagen EQ can deliver high stability on lateral slopes of up to 35 degrees—if so, most goat trails won’t tip it over. G-wagen EQ has a 32-degree approach angle, 30.7-degree departure angle and 20.3-degree breakover angle, thanks to its minimal overhangs and stubby nature. Basically, you can climb or descend steep terrain without scraping the chin or the tail end, all thanks to virtually no overhangs and a plan view of the vehicle that looks like a soap box. See photos to understand capability.

For those tour guides in Moab and Sedona, more pertinent technology. When engaged, Mercedes G-STEERING can deliver a significantly smaller turning circle. Specs are not yet available, but this Geländewagen should be damn near capable of turning on its own axis, an important skill when navigating rocky terrain at a few miles per hour or less.

There is also an intelligent off-road crawl function with three available settings that helps maintain smooth and carefully metered motion, allowing the driver to focus almost entirely on steering around rocks and deep ruts. This is all classic off-road technology for working down sloppy hillsides, delivered with electric motors and lots of German computer scripting.

In slow crawl the vehicle maintains a speed of approximately 1 mph uphill, downhill or on level terrain—it’s walking with the greatest of caution. In variable crawl, G 580 delivers walking speed on uphill and level terrain. On downhill grades of 10 to 20 percent, a driver can increase target speed to approximately 9 mph and use the brake pedal to again reduce it to walking speed. In other words, the computer controls for crawling give a wide range of ability to skilled off-roaders.

For those who will use the vehicle primarily on-road, a few data points. G 580 can hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 112 mph, which is likely about as fast as anyone would want to go in a tall, narrow vehicle designed for rock crawling.

Mercedes EQ electric technology has brought a new dimension to the Swabian Ibex Maximus, which should prove appealing at high-end resorts across the Rocky Mountains as well as our happy bubbles out here in California. Those who must know the tech can turn to the extensive photo captions. This new G-wagen is a technological marvel, the sort of vehicle only possible when fully exploiting the depthless pool of engineering talent Mercedes possesses.