Mercedes plans to launch an all-electric baby Mercedes G-Class in the next two years. But the very poor sales of the G580 EQ electric could cause them to change their plans.
Mercedes plans to launch a baby Mercedes G-Class in 2026 or 2027, which we have written about here. Mercedes boss Ola Kallenius said at the Munich Motor Show in the fall of 2023 that Mercedes would launch a baby Mercedes G-Class, known as the “Little G,” in a few years and at the CES show in Las Vegas in early January 2024, Markus Schafer, head of technical development at Mercedes, told British magazine Autocar that it will only have electric propulsion.
The initial plan for this model was to use the new MB.EA electric platform with 800V technology, which will be the basis for the new Mercedes C-Class EV and GLC EV electric models.
However, the very poor sales of the Mercedes G 580 EQ could prompt Mercedes to offer hybrid versions as well. But the MB.EA platform is not suitable for use with a hybrid propulsion system.
On the other hand, Markus Schafer said a few months ago that the Mercedes G-Class baby will not use the MMA platform.
Following this statement, rumors emerged that the future Mercedes G-Class baby could use a mixed platform that would incorporate elements from the MMA platform used for the new compact CLA, GLB, and GLA ranges and the MB.EA used for the future GLC EV and C-Class EV.
The use of a mixed platform consisting of elements from the MMA and MB.EA means that the Mercedes G-Class baby will abandon the ladder-frame solution from the G-Class.
However, Mercedes is considering a solution to replace the three mechanical locking differentials from the G-Class, and there is information that the Stuttgart-based manufacturer is working on an advanced all-wheel drive system for this model.
Mercedes believes that the G-Class baby needs a more sophisticated suspension that allows for variable ground clearance, which is why it wants to use a combination of the MMA and MB.EA platforms.
The MMA platform does not offer air suspension, which is available on the MB.EA.
Therefore, a modified version of the air suspension with a double-wishbone front axle and multilink rear axle from the MB.EA platform could offer variable ground clearance and good off-road capabilities.
Mercedes is aware that there will be strong competition in this niche. Land Rover plans to launch an electric-powered baby Defender in 2027, and Toyota will launch a hybrid and conventionally powered baby Land Cruiser with a ladder frame by the end of this year. From this point of view, Toyota seems to have the advantage because customers looking for an off-roader, even a compact one, want top off-road capabilities.
Not much is known about the design, but Gorden Wagener, chief designer at Mercedes, told British magazine Autocar that “It will have its own character, but it will be a G.” Thus, the Mercedes G-Class baby will take design elements from its bigger brother.
Mercedes also has a problem with size. The Toyota Land Cruiser is a massive model measuring 4.92 m in length, so a compact Land Cruiser model will clearly differentiate itself from its larger sibling, being about 55-60 cm shorter. However, the Mercedes G-Class is only 4.62 meters long, and a compact model will not be much shorter but must be much cheaper.
The Mercedes G 500 costs around €133,000, and the baby G-Class should be around €50,000 cheaper. But even so, it would cost as much as the current top-of-the-range Toyota Land Cruiser 250. And a future baby Land Cruiser will be priced at around €60,000.
Therefore, the mission to develop the Mercedes G-Class baby is very complicated, taking on the characteristics of a Mission Impossible.