The G-Class SUV is the dinosaur of the Mercedes range and one of its most-loved models. Until now the only thing missing was electric urge.
Virtually unchanged on the outside, Mercedes has modernised this off-roader with its iconic garden shed aerodynamics time and time again, but it never really moved with the times.
Now they have taken a big leap by converting the G into an EV as part of an injection of fresh cells that should ensure its place for years to come.
They could have called their would-be eco-growler an EQG, in line with the new nomenclature, but decided to badge this old-school relic instead as a G580.
It goes on sale at the end of the European summer with a hefty base price of €142,622, putting it between the G450d diesel and the blinged-out AMG G63 performance version at €189,329.
After waiting for so long to go electric, the engineers behind the zero-emission G Class did not want to compromise so they have installed a technology package that packs a punch.
Instead of grabbing some off-the-shelf kit, the German manufacturer has squeezed its own two-layer battery into the ladder frame, and protected it well against impacts from below.
There is a separate electric motor for each wheel and because e-motors don't like low revs, but off-road driving tends to involve lot of crawling, each motor gets its own two-speed gearbox to enable high and low-range.
The result is impressive: The G-Class delivers 432 kW/588 hp and 1,164 Nm or torque with 116 kWh on tap and a standard range of 473 kilometres. In the dirt, the car displays the same effortless power for which the combustion engine versions are renowned.
Particularly impressive is the way the G580 hums along light-footedly through harsh terrain - even though it is still a bulky machine. This is achieved through sensitive steering and a new off-road cruise control system. The electric edition copes with aplomb with the same uphill and downhill slopes as the petrol and diesel models.
And what is more, the G580 takes care of most of the driver's work. In tight bends, a special control system makes the rear end light and allows the car to drift round corners in a controlled manner.
And if things get even tighter or you want to impress spectators at roadside or post boastful videos on social media, there is also the tank-turn trick.
It makes the wheels turn sideways in opposite directions, turning the G-Class into a carousel. The beefy car turns on the spot with a mighty squeal of tyres on tarmac and a huge cloud of dust on gravel.
Even on the road, the electric G-Class is scarcely inferior to ones with the combustion engines. And until an electric Land Rover comes along, it has nothing to fear from other rivals on the market.
The beast accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, which feels even more impressive without a rumbling V8 engine under the bonnet. The top speed is 180 km/h, although occupants can still chat, at least on country roads, without having to shout at each other. The same cannot be said of the ferocious AMG issue.
But there is no rose without a thorn, as the German adage goes. Extrovert owners will bemoan the lack of signature features which set the high-tech G Class apart from its old-style brethren.
To make it look as exclusive as it actually is, you have to order the flashy LED grille and the so-called design box instead of the spare wheel at the rear.
Purists and posers alike may also be put out by one technical aspect. The car weighs 3.1 tonnes even when empty and driving licence laws in many countries draw the line at 3.5 tonnes so the payload is a meagre 400 kilos and hauling a trailer is out of the question.
When it comes to loading up on power though, the 200 kW on direct current is fine, although 11 kW at the wall-box is not enough in this league.
Meanwhile, those who still view the G as a commercial vehicle, like farmers, will be pleased to know that the combustion engines will not be discontinued despite the debut of an electric model.
Mercedes has actually updated the ICEs again, upgrading the diesel and the AMG to mild hybrids and replacing the much-loved but rather long-in-the-tooth V8 in the G500 with a six-pot engine mated to 48-volt technology.
For many critics the G Class represents the unacceptable face of motoring. Too big, too heavy and too thirsty - yet Mercedes remains loyal to this mother of all German SUVs and has gone to great lengths to bring it up to date.
Cult features like the old-fashioned door grips and outside door hinges would seem more at home on a classic car but have been cleverly updated to work with keyless entry technology.
To sum up, Mercedes has managed to successfully future-proof its dinosaur and ensure that it will be able to roam the countryside and urban streets for many years to come.
