Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV 'likely' to enter PH market

MANILA: Mercedes-Benz Philippines may introduce the fully electric G-Class G580 sport utility vehicle (SUV) into the local market. 

In an interview, Mercedes-Benz Philippines Product and Training Assistant Vice President Benjamin Bautista shared to Zigwheels Philippines the probability of the G580 EV's local entry  during the EQE SUV launch event. 

The latter might be exciting to the local G-Class fans, but Bautista said that such possibility is not likely to happen within the year. 

“The answer there is it’s really possible, but it will not happen this year,” Bautista said. 

He also did not disclose the exact timetable for the all-electric Mercedes-Benz G580's future model launch as well. 

As it stands, though, the G-Class is a globally popular SUV with a strong following that has been established over the years. As such, Filipinos might want to get into its latest EV version. 

For the unaware, the G-Class G580 EV is an electric-powered luxury SUV that utilizes the exterior look of the internal combustion engine version. Otherwise, the German luxury brand says it uses EQ technology, specifically a quad-motor powertrain setup that can produce up to 579 horsepower and 1,164 Newton Meters of torque. It also has an estimated range of 360 kilometers. 

One of the most intriguing features of the G-Class EV is its unique ability to perform tank turns. Known as the G-Turn, this feature allows the vehicle to turn on the spot by 720 degrees, adding a sense of novelty and excitement to the potential launch. 

In relation to the local EV segment, Bautista also shared Mercedes-Benz Philippines’ current mission to educate its more traditional Filipino Mercedes fans about the benefits of EV usage. Specifically, the latter are folks who prefer the marque’s internal combustion mills. 

“It's our job to educate not just the traditional owners but also the Gen Z, Gen Y, the millennials. Ito din sila ang tutulong na mag educate ng mga traditional customers natin (Gen Z and Gen Y [millennials> can help the brand educate its more traditional customers),” Bautista shared.

 

The aforementioned initiative is a good sign for a theoretical Philippine-spec G-Class EV since older enthusiasts will know the said vehicle as a purely ICE SUV since the inception of the first-gen W460 model in the 1970s. It was only in the 2024 Auto China when the carmaker debuted the fully electric G580 version. 

Currently, Mercedes-Benz PH is offering the ICE G-Class in two variants. The more affordable one is the G-Class 400d, which is capable of making 330 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque. The top-spec trim, meanwhile, is the G-Class G63 which can churn out  585 hp and 850 Nm of torque. 

Both variants of the locally available G-Class are off-road capable five-seaters, filled to the brim with creature comforts and luxurious interior details. 

The G-Class 400d is currently priced at P15.99 million, and the G63 option, at P22.99 million. 

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

Also read:

Auto China 2024: Mercedes-Benz highlights electric G-Class SUV

Mercedes-Benz PH brings EQE in SUV form