The electric G is the winner in the raw power stakes: 432kW/1164Nm versus the G63 with 430kW/850Nm, however, the petrol is rated faster from 0-100km (4.4 sec versus 4.7 sec) due mainly to the weight of the high voltage battery (57.6kg). This puts the total weight of the electric at 3,085kg, over 500kg more than the petrol.
But the G63 V8 petrol is not entirely without some green merit. It runs on a mild hybrid system, with a 48volt architecture and an integrated starter generator. This system gives the big V8 a 15kW/200Nm boost (not that it needs it) plus provides stop-start technology and energy recuperation.
If towing is your game, you only have one option and, unfortunately, it isn’t electric. Mercedes doesn’t have a towbar option for the G580 because of the payload. In New Zealand, category B (car and light vehicle) driver licences are restricted to a maximum vehicle weight of 3,500kg. The G580 kerb weight is 3,085kg, leaving only 415kg for payload, which simply isn’t enough to add four passengers plus a boat.
Off-road, the G580 ate up everything we could throw at it. The EV has a couple of nifty features, G-Steer and G-Turn, made possible via the modern technology of synchronous electric motors.
G-Steer acts like a traditional handbrake manoeuvre, oversteering the vehicle by spinning the rear wheels in opposite directions. It’s basically off-road drift mode. Warning, G-Steer is addictive, but luckily, its use is limited to off-road.
G-Turn is a bit more gimmicky. All four wheels spin at different speeds, invoking oversteer to spin two complete 360-degree revolutions (low grip surfaces only, so we are told).
The purpose of the G-Turn party trick? Imagine being stuck on a tight track, needing to face the opposite direction. You could either, navigate a twenty-point turn, or G-Turn 180 degrees, on the spot, in half a second. Option two induces extreme amusement and hilarity, but once again is for off-road use only!
Arguably the most telling difference between the two vehicles is the sound experience. Artificial sound generation in EVs is (so far) expressionless, boring and not worth turning on. Mercedes has G-Roar. It’s a token offering, emitting a dubious electronic sound for passengers, which doesn’t mimic V8 sound in any shape or form.
On the other hand, the G 63’s side pipes are instruments made in V8 heaven. Sport Plus mode will switch the exhaust note an octave, blessing your ears with a hypnotic, throaty rumble.
The Verdict
For 45 years the distinctive G-Class has ruled the SUV world with its mix of off-road practicality, advanced technology and old-school coolness. Its pedigree has created a status that few vehicles get to enjoy.
With the launch of the first EV version, the G 580 with EQ Technology, Mercedes-Benz has resisted wholesale changes to the design ethos of this hero nameplate, sticking with a formula that retains both essence and presence.
To EV, or not EV the G? It’s a close call, but with a $67,000 difference in purchase price, huge savings in running costs and some fascinating features only available on the electric version, the G 580 is our winner.
