Mercedes-Benz EQG will not share platform with different EVs

Mercedes-Benz‘s upcoming all-electric G-Class, due in 2024, gained’t use any of Mercedes-Benz’s electrical car platforms and can supply “mind-boggling” off-road efficiency.

At this yr’s Paris motor present, Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of administration at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, instructed Motor Development the Mercedes-Benz EQG will characteristic devoted electrical off-roader underpinnings.

This implies the EQG gained’t be based mostly on the prevailing EVA platform that underpins the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan and SUV, in addition to the EQS liftback and SUV, nor will it use the upcoming MB.EA structure.

It’s unclear whether or not it is going to use a model of the prevailing G-Class underpinnings, or whether or not it is going to use its personal bespoke platform.

The upcoming SUV was previewed final yr with the “near-production” Idea EQG.

“It has cult standing. It’s distinctive. The G will stay a G,” stated Mr Källenius.

“By definition with its off-road capabilities, it’s not a platform, it’s its personal car, full cease, and it’ll stay its personal car.”

Mr Källenius instructed Motor Development that he not too long ago had the prospect to drive an early powertrain mule prototype at some off-road amenities close to Graz, Austria.

“It was mind-boggling. I do know I’m elevating expectations right here, however I used to be so excited stepping out of that automotive that I can not anticipate the electrical G to return,” stated Mr Källenius.

“It was so competent, really easy to journey in. It’s going to have phenomenal efficiency on and off the street, coupled with essentially the most vitality dense battery we will discover in a car that’s barely aerodynamically challenged when it comes to its drive co-efficient.”

Mercedes-Benz hasn’t gone into a lot depth in regard to what the manufacturing EQG’s powertrain can be and what outputs it is going to produce. The Idea EQG was powered by 4 electrical motors making undisclosed outputs.

Up entrance, it had totally impartial suspension, whereas the rear had a brand new strong axle tailored to accommodate the automotive’s electrical motors.

Though low-down torque is already a power of electrical motors, Mercedes-Benz fitted a manually switchable two-speed transmission to the Idea EQG for what’s more likely to be an electrical tackle low-range.

As beforehand reported, Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the EQG can be optionally out there with silicon-based electrical car (EV) battery know-how manufactured by US startup Sila Nanotechnologies from 2025.

The corporate’s high-silicon anode materials is claimed to have a 20 to 40 per cent improve in vitality density in comparison with commercially out there battery cells with a comparable format, with a volumetric vitality density of greater than 800Wh/L.

For context, the present Chinese language-built Tesla Mannequin 3 with its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack has a volumetric vitality density of 359Wh/L.

Mercedes-Benz has additionally been engaged on different battery applied sciences, together with solid-state batteries, which promise a smaller kind issue with the potential of extra vary.

The corporate already has partnerships with solid-state battery firms comparable to ProLogium and Factorial Vitality.

Mercedes-Benz electrical car structure and growth e-drive vice chairman Christophe Starzynski instructed Motor Development a breakthrough with solid-state battery know-how is predicted within the second half of the last decade.

Mr Starzynski additionally confirmed Mercedes-Benz is engaged on LFP batteries for entry-level autos, that are recognized for being cheaper to supply and safer than nickel-based batteries, however with much less energy-dense cells and a shorter vary.

Crucially, the danger of a battery hearth is decreased as LFP batteries are much less liable to overheating.

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