Baby Mercedes G-Class to take boxy G-Wagen attitude to a wider audience
Merc’s board member for R&D has assured us that its new baby G-Class won’t be just a tweaked version of an existing model, but a ground-up development
Mercedes board member for research and development Markus Schäfer has given new insight into the company’s forthcoming baby G-Class SUV. Only limited details of this miniaturised version of the iconic off-roader have been teased so far, but now we have a great sense of what to expect when it arrives in 2027.
Previewed in another teaser alongside the forthcoming G-Class convertible, the baby G will enter the market to give the legions of G-Class fans a smaller and more urban-friendly option. However, to avoid diluting the full-size model’s magic, Mercedes has not cut corners in the new vehicle’s development.
What will underpin the new baby G?
Markus Schäfer told Auto Express: “The G is [a] very special and authentic car, so the mini G has to be authentic. So I cannot just take an existing platform; I have to create my own platform modules and that’s what’s happening.”
This suggests that huge amounts of work have gone into the development of a new chassis that has similar appeal to today’s G-Class, only at a smaller scale. However, the baby G will have one important difference, Markus explained: “It’s not a ladder frame to this extent, but in terms of wheel size and articulation, it’s a completely new development we have had to do.”
Without a ladder chassis, it’s possible that the new baby G-Class won’t have the same sort of driving feel as the original, but Markus acknowledged this by telling us: “We spent a lot of time tuning this car, and over time started to develop so many unique components to make it a very good-looking car and very very capable. In fact, we designed far too many unique parts, but we believe this is what it needs.”
In terms of powertrain, Schäfer was less revealing, saying: “I don’t want to go into those details, but just looking at the current capabilities and what’s needed, I came more and more to the conclusion that it has to be unique.”
This suggests that while an electric powertrain is on the cards, it’s not yet known whether the option of an ICE powertrain has been discounted entirely. In other comments, Schäfer also ruled out range-extender powertrains on small to medium-sized models, which would include the new G.
When will the new baby G be available, and what will it rival?
Prototypes are due to hit the road shortly, but a reveal isn’t likely until at least the end of 2026, with a market launch potentially in 2027. Pricing for the new electric G-Class will undercut the full-size model significantly, but by how much is still to be revealed.
That G-Class currently starts at around £180,000, but it remains to be seen where the brand will position its new model. It could be a potential rival for the Land Rover Defender, or closer to Land Rover’s baby-Defender due in 2027. And if you’re after an SUV of any size, make sure to check out the Auto Express Buy a Car service for all the latest deals.
What will the baby G look like?
Being a predominantly electric model, the baby G-Class should have a flush grille with an illuminated surround. The boxy retro lines will be retained with a bluff front end and an upright windscreen, although it should gain some of the tweaks found on the current electric G-Class, such as a smaller rear spare wheel that houses the charge cables.
Sitting beneath the full-size G-Class, the smaller model will obviously have a lower and narrower body with a shorter wheelbase - the latter could actually help it provide just as much off-road ability.
Details on the battery size haven’t been revealed, but it’s certain to be smaller than the huge 116kWh battery found in the G 580 with EQ Technology.
The interior, like the exterior, should gain plenty of inspiration from the current G-Class, with squared-off turbine air vents, an oversized grab handle for the passenger and an upright driving position. It’ll also run Merc’s latest MBUX system with vast touchscreens and slick user interfaces.
Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.
Find a car with the experts
