- Mercedes had deliberate to promote the smaller G-Class solely as an EV.
- Sellers in the US insisted it ought to have fuel engines as nicely.
- Uneven EV adoption was additionally a contributing issue.
With almost 50,000 items offered in 2025, the venerable G-Class had its best year because the respected off-roader got here out within the late Nineteen Seventies. Mercedes is now getting ready to capitalize on the Geländewagen’s business success with a so-called “Little G” designed to seize the essence of its greater brother in a extra compact bundle and at a lower cost level.
It’s been a very long time coming. The German luxurious model first teased the mannequin almost three years in the past. Extra lately, a camouflaged prototype was noticed close to the Nürburgring trying precisely as you’d anticipate: like a 75-percent-scale model of the full-fat G. Whereas the check automobile was purely electrical, Mercedes has now confirmed there may also be a combustion engine underneath the hood.
The corporate initially deliberate to promote the boxy SUV solely as an EV however modified course for a few causes. When sellers in the US received a sneak preview of the smaller G-Class, they requested whether or not ICE variations may be provided. U.S. retailers in the end performed an energetic position in convincing Mercedes so as to add fuel engines to the lineup.
Mercedes Is Giving Sellers What They Need
Chatting with Automotive News, Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Schiebe confirmed sellers in North America have been a figuring out issue within the choice to develop a combustion-engine model:
‘The clear suggestions from our U.S. sellers, which we infrequently additionally requested, was we’d like an ICE model. We mentioned ‘Sure, Okay. Let’s put an ICE model in there.’ It must have sufficient energy, and it’ll positively occur.’
Nevertheless, there’s extra to the story. Mercedes realized uneven EV adoption may make the child G-Class much less interesting in components of the world the place charging infrastructure stays underdeveloped. For potential prospects involved about vary nervousness, the gas-powered mannequin will get rid of worries about operating out of juice.
Whereas Mercedes has avoided going into specifics concerning the downsized G, the corporate’s head honcho has mentioned it is going to be a “utterly new growth.” That assertion suggests it gained’t use the prevailing G-Class structure, nor will it’s primarily based on the new CLA.
It Will Be A Correct G-Class
Former Chief Expertise Officer (CTO) Markus Schäfer mentioned it could be “as genuine as potential,” main us to consider it’ll characteristic a ladder-frame setup with real off-road functionality. Rumor has it the brand new G-Class variant will measure round 173.2 inches (4.4 meters) lengthy, whereas the prototype additionally reveals it can retain a rear-mounted spare wheel.
The smaller G-Class is predicted to go on sale someday subsequent 12 months, though it stays unclear whether or not the fuel mannequin might be obtainable from day one. Because the ICE model appears to be an afterthought, Mercedes may launch the EV first and add the combustion-powered spinoff later.
Small Mercedes G-Class teaser (proper)
Picture by: Mercedes-Benz
Motor1’s Take: Mercedes made the suitable transfer by adapting the petite G-Class to help combustion engines as nicely. The ICE model will presumably value much less and certain get pleasure from broader world enchantment than the EV. Demand for the latter could possibly be restricted by underdeveloped charging infrastructure, whereas its gas-powered sibling gained’t face the identical problem.
Given the massive success of the full-size G-Class, its little brother is shaping as much as develop into one other money-printing machine for the three-pointed star. Now that we all know Mercedes additionally plans to supply an ICE model, we wouldn’t be stunned if it will definitely outsells its bigger counterpart.
