Mercedes has begun testing the brand new child Mercedes G-Class, as confirmed by spy pictures which have appeared on-line. We current the primary computer-retouched picture created based mostly on the spy pictures of the brand new G-Class child, which can debut in 2027, though not a lot is thought about it but.
Laptop image: Marian Cilibeanu (https://www.instagram.com/marianvalentincilibeanu/)
As early as autumn 2020, Ola Källenius, Mercedes CEO, introduced that the G-Class vary can be expanded within the coming years. On the Munich motor present in autumn 2023, Källenius introduced for the primary time that Mercedes would launch in just a few years a “Little G,” as he known as it on the time.
Then, on the CES present in Las Vegas in January 2024, Markus Schäfer, former Head of Technical Growth at Mercedes, stated that the small G would have electrical propulsion solely.
Nonetheless, within the meantime, Mercedes has suffered a setback with the Mercedes G 580 EQ, which sells poorly in Europe and virtually by no means within the USA, primarily due to its restricted vary and excessive value, regardless of top-level know-how with 4 motors, refined all-wheel drive, and carbon-fiber battery safety.
In consequence, Mercedes seems to be rethinking its technique. Not too long ago, the primary official pictures of the Mercedes G-Class Cabrio have been introduced, and Magna introduced the extension of the contract for G-Class production till 2034.
From the primary spy pictures, on which we based mostly the computer-generated picture, it may be seen that the newborn Mercedes G-Class is shorter, much less tall, the rear door is shorter, however the boxy silhouette and spherical headlights are retained, whereas the grille is extra rounded, impressed by that of the brand new GLB.
What lies beneath the bodywork remains to be a thriller. Based on unofficial data, Mercedes initially supposed to make use of the MMA platform from the brand new compact vary, however earlier than leaving his place, Markus Schäfer acknowledged clearly that the G-Class child wouldn’t use the MMA platform.
In the meantime, Toyota has launched the brand new child Land Cruiser beneath the title FJ Cruiser, which retains the legendary Land Cruiser resolution with a separate ladder body and all-wheel drive with a low-range gear. The FJ Cruiser shall be bought globally, however for no longer in Europe.
Land Rover has additionally introduced a child Defender for 2027, however this can actually not have a separate ladder body, since even the present Defender not makes use of this resolution.
Subsequently, Mercedes is compelled to supply the Little G off-road capabilities on the degree of its rivals and on the degree of its larger brother, the G-Class.
Three platforms resolution: What’s the best option?
One resolution can be to make use of the MB.EA platform, however this can be a devoted electrical platform that can’t accommodate different forms of propulsion, and evidently after the failure of the G 580 EQ, Mercedes needs to supply standard powertrains.
One other resolution can be to make use of the MRA II platform from the GLC, which may accommodate air suspension however not a separate ladder body.
The only resolution can be to make use of a shortened platform derived from the present G-Class, however on this case the automobile wouldn’t be less expensive than the G-Class, even when one or two locking differentials have been dropped and a four-cylinder engine have been used.
As well as, Mercedes has one other downside. The Land Cruiser is a big automobile at 4,925 mm in size, whereas the FJ Cruiser is 350 mm shorter, measuring 4,575 mm, clearly differentiating itself from the Land Cruiser.
However the Mercedes G-Class is a extra compact automobile, measuring 4,820 mm in size, so the newborn model would should be 350–400 mm shorter, that means round 4.40–4.50 meters. And for Mercedes it might be very troublesome to ask for a value near €100,000 for a automobile 4.4–4.5 meters lengthy.
The most affordable G-Class, the G 450 d, prices €124,355. The G-Class child ought to value €40,000–50,000 much less. Even when it have been constructed on a spinoff of the G-Class platform, retaining the ladder body, low-range gear, at the very least a central differential and an non-compulsory rear differential, and utilizing a four-cylinder engine as a substitute of inline-six or V8 engines, it might nonetheless be troublesome to realize this value. At €75,000 one can at the moment purchase the brand new Land Cruiser, and the FJ Cruiser won’t exceed €60,000.
On condition that the G-Class child is already working in early highway assessments, evidently Mercedes has already made its determination. We hope to search out out extra quickly.
