Mercedes-Benz EQG will pivot on the spot

Reckon the GMC Hummer EV’s ‘crab mode’ and the Rivian R1T’s ‘tank turn’ is pretty cool?

Well Mercedes-Benz has just shown off its new electric off-roading trumpcard in the form of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQG’s ‘G Turn’ function, which allows the upcoming electric 4x4 to endlessly turn on its axis and within its own length.

The admittedly cool but no doubt practical (off-road) feat has been made possible by the EQG’s quad-motor battery-electric powertrain, which employs an individual motor to power each wheel.

Working on the same theory that allows tanks and bulldozers to make similar manoeuvres, the EQG electronically locks the front and rear motors of each side together, before one side drives forwards and the other backwards at an equal rate.

Pivot to the left with the right wheels driving forwards; pivot to the right with the left wheels driving forwards.

In addition to gifting future EQG owners the ability to do perhaps the tightest ‘donuts’ possible this side of a motorcycle, the feature will more importantly allow the EQG to conquer tighter terrain than any Mercedes-Benz G-Class before it, but the jury is out on whether this will be permissible when trying to squeeze a shopping centre carpark…

Officially revealed at the recent ‘Economics of Desire’ event by Mercedes-Benz board member for development and procurement Markus Schäfer, the G Turn function will be just one of a number of new features and driver aids fitted to the all-electric G-Class, though we’ll have to while longer to see the full specification list.

We do know, however, that the Mercedes-Benz EQG will ride on independent front suspension and a solid rear axle, both of which will be bolted to an all-new ladder-frame platform.

The German electric SUV will also be offered from “mid-decade” with an optional super-high-density, high silicon anode battery pack that’s said to offer more efficiency and a longer driving range than the current crop of Mercedes’ lithium-ion batteries.

“Further models will follow, and you can look forward to even more cutting-edge technology in the electric G-Class,” Schäfer said during his ‘Developing Desire’ address.

With a 2024 global launch date having long been the goal of the EQG development team, it’s unlikely we’ll see the all-electric off-roader here before 2025.

But when we do, it seems that more than one version will be available, judging by the ‘EQG 560’ and ‘EQG 580’ trademark applications filed with IP Australia in October last year.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au