The future of the G-Wagen

Are you a fan of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, but wish it was just somewhat bit smaller? You’re in luck, as Mercedes has revealed plans to introduce a new “mini-G” by 2026.

German outlet Handelsblatt says it spoke to sources at the Mercedes mothership who said CEO Ola Källenius is pushing for a "Mini-G" that would arrive around 2026. 

The report also says that the mini-G will be built on the brand’s new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, a new “entry-level luxury” platform designed with EVs in mind and the same platform that the next CLA is being built upon.

While some purists might cry foul that Mercedes-Benz wants to water down its iconic 4×4, we see this mini G-Wagen as a good thing. The reality is that the G-Wagen has been in production for 43 years and while modern examples are luxuriously appointed, it’s still a no-frills, military origins. It’s now a status symbol; turning the G-Class into an off-road-focused sub-brand. They’re actually not that comfortable or easy to drive. In that sense, it’s bizarre that they’ve become such a lifestyle product – people like the tough aesthetic, but forget that it comes with some tough driving characteristics.

A softer, more comfortable, easier-to-drive vehicle that still looks like a boxy G-Wagen? That sounds like a license to print money.

 

Motortrend speculates that if this mini G-Wagen gets the approval, it will highly likely be an electric vehicle with a range of just over 480kms and recharge rapidly on account of an 800-volt system said to be built on MMA platform EVs. Perhaps Källenius sees this as the German version of the Ford Escape (GLB), Bronco Sport (Mini-G), and Bronco (G-Class) connection, however, and the three has certainly worked out for Ford.

Regardless of whether this mini G-Wagen makes it to market, one thing is for certain: that Mercedes also wants to kill off some models, including the A-Class, B-Class, the CLS, and several convertible models, to consolidate their compact car offerings as they move towards electrification.