Fighting Physics at Every G-Turn, Mercedes-Benz Halo SUV Is More Than Brawn

The casual observer may not think that the new-generation Mercedes-Benz G-Class has undergone a revolutionary transformation from the previous generation. A closer look reveals that sentiment could not be further from the truth. Cast away the body design changes—which markedly increase aerodynamic efficiency—and gaze on the guts of the model, specifically the G580's battery-electric powertrain and revolutionary drivetrain capabilities.

To get there, years before its public debut, the Electric G-Class team formulated a plan. "When we started electrifying the G-Class, it was immediately clear—we would not build an electric G-Class, we would build a G-Class with an electric powertrain. No compromises in off-road capability and we would strongly stick to our DNA—or, let's say, G-NA. One thing remains constant—our unique and iconic design makes our vehicles unmistakable," said Michael Knoeller, CEO of Mercedes-Benz G-Class Ltd.

There were two nonnegotiable details for the team: off-road capability and unique, iconic design. Said Knoeller: "Our top priority has always been to preserve the core values of the G-Class—off-road capability, robustness, design and quality—and not dilute them, regardless of the powertrain."

The result is the most planted G-Wagen in history for on-road enjoyment and a vehicle that is capable of delivering enough torque to move up a 100 percent gradient, even if only one wheel is operational.

With its all-electric powertrain and the expectation of high-performance strain, the G580 required unique provisions. The team developed a special cooling mechanism that has three layers, one for each module level and a third for battery electronics.

The SUV's battery is housed within its ladder frame, providing rigidity to the model and stabilization that boosts its sure-footedness on- and off-road. It is completely waterproof, allowing G's wading depth to increase to 33.46 inches.

Adding to the Geländewagen's appeal are a number of functionalities that push the limits of vehicle engineering, chief among them G-Turn, which uses a motor on each wheel to turn the car along a circular plane when called upon.

"There was no blueprint for the G-Turn—we started from scratch. Turning the wheels in different directions is not a normal driving situation," Knoeller said.

To prove the technology out and ensure its ability to live up to high Mercedes standards for durability, operation and performance, engineers had to test G-Turn repeatedly during development. "How should the G-Turn be operated (buttons, spinning direction, etc.) with no risk of unintentional activation? We also had no experience with what impact the G-Turn would have on tires, powertrain, chassis etc., so we did a lot of simulations and extreme testing," Knoeller explained.

"We wanted to make this function as safe as possible, so we had to think of all possible cases. For example: What happens when the doors are opened before/during the G-Turn? What happens when the wheels are not straight? What happens when performing the G-Turn on steep slopes?"

The result is an all-electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen that hits the performance mark with benchmark-creating acumen. For this reason, the Project G-Class team is Newsweek's 2025 Research and Development Disruptor of the Year.

Read About All of Newsweek's 2025 Auto Disruptors Here