Bangladesh welcomes the future: Mercedes-Benz launches the electric G-Wagon G580

In the 21st Century, there are a few things which both celebrities and people of power have in common are wealth, influence and a Mercedes G-Wagon.

While the G-Wagon originally started as a military vehicle in the late 1970s, the model soon became popular among the elite class due to Mercedes's brand value in the luxury car market.

As technology and innovation improved, Mercedes continued to improve the G-Wagon over the years, adding more engine variants and luxury trim options to the lineup. However, as global emission regulations got strict at the same time, the German automaker had to reconfigure the model– from turbocharging the V8 to mild hybrid to now going completely electric with the latest G580.

For over four decades, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagon, has remained an icon of rugged capability and luxury. From its origins as a military vehicle in the late 1970s to becoming the status symbol of celebrities, adventurers, and off-road enthusiasts, the G-Wagon has always commanded respect. Now, in 2025, Mercedes-Benz has taken a bold step into the future with the G580—the first fully electric G-Wagon.

Rancon Motors Limited recently launched the G580 Edition One in Bangladesh. In terms of visuals, one thing which particularly remained consistent in almost all G-Wagons is their uniform visual appearance. Even the G580, with the optional round spare wheel cover looks no different than the classic.

At first glance, you might not even realize that the G580 is electric. It carries over the unmistakable, boxy silhouette that has defined the G-Class for decades. The squared-off stance, exposed hinges, round LED headlights, and wide fender flares all scream "classic G-Wagon." However, subtle design tweaks set it apart.

The most noticeable difference is the front grille—or rather, the lack of one. Instead, a solid black panel with an illuminated Mercedes-Benz logo replaces the traditional slatted grille, emphasizing its EV identity. Exclusive to the Edition One variant are blue accents, unique badging, and striking 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres.

We got to inspect five units of the G580 on two separate occasions. From our experience, we can confirm that while it retains the essence of what makes the G-Wagon special, it's way beyond what the classics used to offer. 

If you've been in a G-Wagon before, you would've definitely noticed its sturdy door handle, almost similar to the ones in the classic steel almirahs of Bangladeshi homes. This new G, amid all the futuristic tech, carries that over as well.

As you step inside, however, you're greeted by modern luxury. Nappa leather upholstery, carbon fibre trims, and ambient lighting create an upscale ambience. The signature passenger grab handle remains on the dashboard, a nod to its off-road heritage.

Mercedes has equipped the G580 with the latest MBUX infotainment system, featuring a high-resolution digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The interface is intuitive, responsive, and loaded with features, including augmented reality navigation and voice control. It comes with a total of 15 speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound System, delivering an immersive listening experience. But as impressive as the tech is, the G580's real magic happens when you hit the road.

Powering the G580 are four electric motors—one for each wheel— producing a maximum of staggering 587 horsepower and 1164 Nm of torque. Despite weighing over three tons, the electric powertrain is capable of launching it from 0-100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds, which is in supercar territory for a full-size SUV!

The power delivery is instant, thanks to the immediate torque from the electric motors. Unlike traditional internal combustion G-Wagons, there won't be any turbo lags or gear shifts. The iconic V8 growl is gone. However, to ensure that it doesn't lose road presence, Mercedes introduced a feature called the G-Roar. Just like it sounds, this is an artificial sound system integrated to replicate the deep, rumbling growl of an AMG V8.

This is just one of the tricks that the G580 brought with it. Take the iconic G-Steer for example. This enhances manoeuvrability on rough terrain by adjusting power distribution to individual wheels, making rock crawling and steep inclines easier. Then there's the G-Roll which is basically a smart regenerative braking system that provides controlled descents, essentially acting as an electric version of hill descent control. However, the latest social media hype is the G-Turn– the G580's ultimate party trick everyone's talking about. This feature allows the G580 to pivot on the spot, like a tank, by spinning its left and right wheels in opposite directions. Beyond how cool it looks, Mercedes claims it to be a game changer in cramped off-road trails.

However, let's now talk about the elephant in the room. When it comes to EVs, the primary concern for most customers is the vehicle's range. This is because, unlike traditional vehicles, EVs in general require significantly longer to recharge. The G-Wagon, for being the behemoth that it is, is packed with a 116 kWh battery pack which is integrated within the frame itself. This allows it to travel a little over 380 km on a single charge. While this is a bit subpar compared to what other brands claim, the growing charging infrastructure should be enough to back it up wherever users take it across the country. Yet, if you compare it to a fuel-driven G-Wagon, taking this on road trips will definitely require some additional planning.

As the focus of the automotive industry shifted towards sustainable innovation, almost all new models launched by brands even locally have now gone electric. With the successful launch of Mercedes's EV lineup last year, the G580 is the latest one to join the fleet and albeit, the fanciest one as well.

The loss of the burbling V8 will be a deal-breaker for some purists, and the limited charging infrastructure in Bangladesh means owners will need to be strategic about long journeys. That said, the performance, refinement, and sheer presence of the G580 make it a worthy successor to the internal combustion G-Wagons of the past.

Currently, the G580 'Edition One' is available at Mercedes-Benz Bangladesh for a hefty price tag of Tk4.75 crore. However, if you compare that to the cheapest combustion engine variant, you're still getting a special edition G-Wagon for half the price. For those who can afford it, the G580 isn't just a vehicle—it's a statement of wealth, power, and forward-thinking luxury. And with Bangladesh being the first country in South Asia to receive it, the electric G-Wagon has already cemented its place in the history books.

Would you trade your V8 for an electric G-Wagon? For the future of off-roading, Mercedes-Benz certainly hopes you will.