Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hollywood action superstar and cigar aficionado, is the kind of person you’d expect to drive around in a big SUV powered by a powerful V8 engine as depicted in his various movie roles.
However, the former Governor of California is now a strong supporter of clean energy and zero-emission cars, but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to give up those macho-looking SUVs. Instead, he is campaigning for climate change in the most Schwarzenegger way possible with this – an electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Schwarzenegger recently got behind the wheel of the zero-emission G-Wagen, which is based on the G 350 d, during the Hahnenkamm ski race in Kitzbuehel, Austria. To create the car, Kreisel installed an electric powertrain that includes an 80 kWh battery pack under the hood and in the rear where the fuel tank used to be.
The company says that the G-Wagen is capable of 150-kW charging, allowing for an 80% charge to be achieved in just 25 minutes, and at full charge, it’ll provide up to 299 km of range. What’s more impressive is the performance, as the electric SUV can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 5.6 seconds, despite having a kerb weight of 2.6 tonnes.
This is accomplished thanks to a pair of electric motors that provide a combined output of 360 kW, or about 483 hp. With all these modifications, Kreiselsays that there has been no restrictions in the trunk and the interior space, with the latter retaining its plush environment as before, save for the revised instrument cluster.
For now, this G-Wagen is a prototype that Schwarzenegger will be driving around California, where his feedback and publicity will be of importance to the Austrian company for future developments. You wouldn’t have expected the Terminator to ride around in a Toyota Prius, right?
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“You wouldn’t have expected the Terminator to ride around in a Toyota Prius, right?”
A good and hilarious way to end the article.
I thought he rides on Harleys?
Don’t even talk about G in Malaysia. Even our GLE 400 already RM700k.
The G in Malaysia will be 2 million. Pity Malaysians can only dream about G class.
The G-wagen is out of many people’s budget around the world, not only in Malaysia.
Talking about green and pollution prevention while smoking cigar…Yep that’s how we all should do it
Most cigar smokers DO NOT inhale the smoke & they smoke much lesser like one cigar a day verses 10/20 sticks. Yes, any form of smoking is Not a good thing but I guess no one is perfect.
Astalavista babyyyh…
What the F is this ?! A 2.6 tons EV wagon that can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 5.6 seconds !!
Some more generate zero-emission & can charge up 80% in just 25 minutes !!
This must be the only Bad Ass Wagon with Green Emission in mind.