Mercedes G-Class Mini Will Have Electric & Mild Hybrid Propulsion

Following market demand, new rivals, and the failure of the G-Class EQ, Mercedes has decided that the upcoming smaller Mercedes G-Class, known as “Little G,” will feature both electric and mild hybrid propulsion.
 

Thanks to the success of the G-Class, which has recorded record sales in recent years—culminating in an all-time record of 49,700 units in 2025—Mercedes has decided to expand the G-Class range in all directions. A convertible version of the G-Class is currently in development, along with a compact G-Class that Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius has referred to as the “Little G.”
 
The final name will be different, and initially Mercedes planned to offer the baby G-Class exclusively with electric propulsion. However, the German manufacturer changed its strategy after the lackluster performance of the G-Class EQ and began taking customer preferences into account, deciding to continue selling conventionally powered models “well beyond 2030.” In addition, the Mercedes G-Class baby will have to face increasingly fierce competition offering conventional propulsion.
 
Thus, the “Little G,” which will debut in the second half of 2027, will have to compete with the new Toyota Land Cruiser FJ—currently available only with a gasoline engine and not yet offered in Europe—the upcoming Land Rover Defender Sport (a more compact Defender), and the Ineos Fusilier, which will feature both a fully electric version and an electric version with a range extender.
 
After extensive debate and considering competitors that offer top off-road capabilities (the new Toyota FJ Cruiser has a body-on-frame construction, low-range gearbox, and locking rear differential, while the Ineos Fusilier also features body-on-frame construction), Mercedes decided to develop a dedicated platform specifically for this model.
 
This was already confirmed by former Mercedes development chief Markus Schäfer, leading us to conclude that the Mercedes G-Class baby will be built around a body-on-frame architecture.
 
However, this platform will incorporate propulsion systems known from the new Mercedes compact range, and all versions will feature all-wheel drive.
 
The electric version will use the eATS 2.0 motors from the new Mercedes CLA. In the CLA 350 4MATIC, they produce 354 PS (272 PS at the rear axle and 109 PS at the front axle), powered by an 85 kWh net NMC battery.
 
The mild hybrid version will be based on the second-generation mild hybrid system, featuring an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It combines a 1.5-liter turbo engine produced by Horse Powertrain in China—a joint venture between Geely and Renault—developing up to 211 PS and 380 Nm (190 PS from the 1.5-liter turbo engine and 30 PS from the electric motor).
 
Horse Powertrain is currently also developing a range extender system based on the same 1.5-liter turbo engine, which could equip the G-Class baby during its lifecycle.
 
As seen in the computer-rendered image created by our artist based on the first spy photos—in which the G-Class baby appears alongside the EQS and seems less tall than the EQS SUV’s 1,718 mm height—the G-Class baby is noticeably less tall than the G-Class, which stands nearly 2 meters tall (1,931 mm).
 
According to our estimates, the G-Class baby will measure around 4.40 meters in length, approximately 40 cm shorter than the 4,825 mm G 500.
 
The Mercedes G-Class baby is constrained by the design of its larger sibling, and former Mercedes chief designer Gorden Wagener confirmed that the Little G will retain the characteristic design elements of its bigger brother, such as the round headlights and fender-mounted turn signals.
 
Just like the new compact range consisting of the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, and GLB, the Mercedes G-Class baby will debut first in its electric version, followed shortly by the mild hybrid version.
 
The electric version will benefit from all the advantages of the MMA platform, including an 800V architecture, 320 kW charging power, and greater range than the G 580 EQ. Therefore, we expect the electric version of the Little G to achieve greater success than the G 580 EQ, especially since it will also be more affordable.