Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Little G’ is set to arrive in 2027 as a new entry-level model in the G-Class range and will be offered with both hybrid internal combustion and fully electric powertrains, reports Autocar.
Confirmation that a “baby G-Class” was on the way was provided by company CEO Ola Kallenius back in September 2023 during IAA Mobility in Munich, the same event where the Concept CLA Class was presented – the latter has since become a production model.
At the time, the ‘Little G’ was said to be an electric-only offering but the report claims that the model will be built on a unique ladder-frame architecture that enables the option of an internal combustion engine (ICE). This is likely due to Mercedes-Benz adjusting its strategy to meet consumer powertrain preferences relative to varying global regulatory demands. Poor sales of the big electric G-Class is also said to be a driving force behind the decision.
The “baby G-Class” will look to compete against Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) “junior Defender” currently dubbed the ‘Defender Sport’ as well as Toyota’s Land Cruiser FJ and Ford’s European-made Bronco.
Preliminary details suggest the ‘Little G’ will use a Horse Powertrain-supplied 1.5 litre turbocharged and hybridised petrol engine similar to the one in the CLA, also a dual-powertrain model. Meanwhile, the electric-only version is said to get dual ‘eATS 2.0’ motors paired with an 85-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery for a WLTP-rated range of up to 724 km – this is said to launch first.
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