ELECTRIC MERCEDES G580

Welcome to the all-electric G-Wagen, a vehicle we never envisaged when Mercedes-Benz began its EQ lineage. It might weigh nearly 500kg more than other G-Class variants but four sizeable electric motors ensure it delivers vastly more torque – a phenomenal 1165Nm all told. It is quick when you want it be and the lowered centre of gravity means it rounds bends far better than the upright looks suggest. Plus, of course, it can really do the business off-road, despite a huge battery being crammed between the rails of its ladder-frame chassis.

The G580 looks very similar to the boxy, 1970s-derived off-roader we know and generally love, with doors that you almost slam to ensure they latch. The eagle-eyed will spot EV signifiers on this body, like subtle blue trim, venting in the rear arches and a bonnet that is slightly raised to make the front end more slippery. You won’t hear a big V8 woofle when this arrives, only loud clacks as the doors close.

Climb up into the G and you’re greeted by an upright seating position and an upright windscreen. Leg room is modest (the G-Class is just 4.6m long) and the front seats are not your typically sumptuous Merc armchairs. Supremely comfortable and supportive, yes, and endlessly adjustable, but quite narrow by modern standards. The boot gives you 555L of usable load space. The space beneath the bonnet is filled with electric hardware, including the sound box for Mercedes’ artificial engine noise, which sounds a bit like a muted V8. It actually broadcasts a dramatic soundtrack the moment you access the vehicle and your attention is drawn to twin 12.3in screens for instrumentation and infotainment.

Four-wheel drive comes via four 108kW electric motors that each power one wheel and drive through their own reduction gear. For off-roading, each has a lower-range gear, too, selectable from inside the cabin when the G580 is in neutral. What Mercedes says gives it the off-road edge over ICE equivalents is a redesigned rear axle, the four motors that provide instant (and incredible) torque, and a wading depth of 850mm. What counts against it is – you guessed it – the weight. In case you are wondering, the battery pack is well protected by a carbon-composite plate.

With coil springs and adaptive dampers, the G580 feels heavy in terms of ride composure and steering but its true 3200kg weight is disguised once you’re rolling at speed. Acceleration is effortlessly smooth and so, too, is the braking. Pedal feel is consistent and the strength of regen is handled by steering-wheel paddles.

When fully charged, our G580 suggested 445km of available range, which turned out to be a conservative figure. In warm temperatures, over 450km is achievable if you don’t exploit the performance or require air-con. But where’s the fun in that?

This modern take on an undisputed icon is a flawed gem but the flaws fail to diminish its overall appeal. The G580 is a rare thing – an EV with immense character and old-school Merc quality. Sure, the bluff body is prone to wind noise, it’s less practical than luxury rivals, and it’s hardly the last word in efficiency. But the G580 injects a sense of occasion into every trip and offers a unique blend of performance and character that you will find in no other electric vehicle. It left us wanting a bit more range and a much longer loan period.