- Mercedes may sell the scaled-down G-Class as EV and hybrid.
- The hybrid could borrow the CLA’s 1.5-liter engine setup.
- The electric version may carry a sizable 85 kWh battery pack.
Given the cultural weight carried by the Mercedes G-Wagen, it’s a bit surprising the company has taken this long to pursue a smaller, more accessible version. Yet here it is at last. The so-called baby G is now deep into development, and these latest spy shots give us the clearest look yet at Mercedes’ downsized off-roader.
Read: Mercedes Baby G-Class Ditches Its EV-Only Plan
This prototype is sporting a distinctive new camouflage wrap that hides many of the more intricate details, but does nothing to shield the overall shape of the model from view. Look closely, and you’ll notice the wrap has hundreds of lower-case ‘g’ graphics, a playful nod to the model’s scaled-down identity.
Mercedes could easily have fallen into the trap of making the baby G-Class look a little too soft or restrained, perhaps little more than a lightly reworked GLB. Instead, the company appears to have taken the design of the full-size model, scaled it down, and applied a few subtler tweaks. Based on early impressions, the result looks very promising.
Classic But Modern Looks
The front has round headlights just like you’d expect, as well as a pronounced hood. The sides come complete with flared wheel arches, squared-off side windows, and prominent roof rails. Found at the rear will be small taillights positioned lower on the fascia, just like the normal G, in addition to a large spare wheel carrier.
Clearly, Mercedes has nailed the design. But what about what’s underneath? According to Mercedes CTO Markus Schäfer, the baby G is being engineered as a fully bespoke model rather than using an adapted version of an existing Mercedes platform. The company is developing new modules, suspension components, and wheel setups specifically for the vehicle, although it will not use a traditional ladder-frame chassis.
An Electrified Line-up
Originally, the project was intended to be purely electric. Now, however, Mercedes appears to be reconsidering that strategy. Recent reports suggest the company is evaluating the addition of a hybrid variant as well, a decision that makes practical sense given the current state of the EV market, particularly in North America.
SH Proshots
If Mercedes follows through and offers a gas option, it could use the same hybrid powertrain found in the new CLA sedan. That system pairs a 1.5-liter engine developed through the Geely and Renault Horse Powertrain joint venture with electric assistance, producing 208 hp and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm). The German carmaker could recalibrate the setup for the baby G, squeezing out more power to better suit the SUV’s character.
More: Shrunken Land Rover Defender Is Coming For The Baby G-Class
As for the all-electric version, it could come fitted with an 85 kWh NMC battery providing 450 miles (724 km) of range and driving a pair of electric motors. Carscoops understands it could have a driving range of up to 450 miles (724 km), which would be very impressive considering the full-size electric G580 is only good for 280 miles (450 km).
When it finally reaches showrooms, the baby G-Class will not have the small off-roader space to itself. Rivals are already lining up, including a rumored compact version of the Land Rover Defender that aims to bring the same rugged image in a smaller package.
