.jpg)
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagen, has become iconic through its rugged design and increasingly luxurious specification, but a smaller version of the celebrity accessory could be on the way if Mercedes’ CEO has his way.
According to a report from German business publication Handelsblatt, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius is “absolutely” keen to build a small crossover SUV in the style of the G-Wagen.
It’s not clear why there’s no confirmation from the report, especially given Mercedes’ top dog is the one hoping to make it happen, but there are some preliminary expectations that are reasonable to make if the car does come to fruition.
Has a tech upgrade made the Mercedes-Benz GLE a more appealing premium SUV?
Too much tech? 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 'Hyperscreen' interior revealed for next-gen BMW 5 Series rival
Mercedes-Benz G-Class goes electric! Land Rover Defender on notice EQG EV concept previews iconic G-Wagen off-roader's zero-emissions future
For a start, it’d probably be around the size of the GLB and built on Mercedes’ Modular Architecture platform, set to be shared with other smaller Benz models like the EQA and EQB.
That does also mean it’s going to be an electric model, with the entry-level luxury SUV likely to have a near-500km range and fast-charging capability through an 800V architecture.
Though it’s totally up in the air at the moment, the baby-G could end up a rival to the likes of the top-spec hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe in terms of pricing.
Given it’ll likely be built on the MMA platform, it’ll also benefit from the brand’s currently incoming operating system to replace MBUX, called MB.OS, which it hopes will integrate AI to make automated functions like climate accurately predict what the driver needs.
Given the G-Class costs well in excess of $200,000, if Mercedes can bring that style to a smaller, much cheaper model, it’s likely to be a winner.
