2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Turns Electric at LA World Premiere

Ladies and gentlemen, after 45 years of social supremacy, the Mercedes-Benz (MB) G-Class has transformed into an all-electric variant. So, welcome to Los Angeles for the World Premiere of the popular SUV, formally dubbed the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology. EQ represents M-B's advanced electric vehicle platform.

Held at the enchanting Franklin Canyon Park, the evening unveiling of the electric G-Class featured a performance by Travis Scott and attendance from familiar faces across film, music, fashion, and urban culture including Trevor Noah, AMG Petronas F1 Driver George Russell, Tracee Ellis Ross, Damson Idris, Saweetie, Justine Skye, Anastasia Karanikolaou, Fai Khadra, Shanina Shaik, Bradley Cooper, Ciara, Joseph Lee, Snoh Aalegra, and Kendall Jenner who loaned her 2014 G 500 Cabriolet to M-B to exhibit at the prestigious outdoor party.

Travis performed on an extended dock customized for the event on the park's three-acre lake in front of and on top of a pristine MANUFAKTUR South Sea Blue Magno G 580 with EQ Technology EDITION ONE. His set was cast amid an electrifying light exposition, mystical smoke, and a sound presentation that hypnotized hundreds of guests. At the same time, they held their phones in the air recording. M-B created a wonderland for the G-Class activities that showcased classic vehicles, an enlarged lounge overlooking the water, celebrity DJs Chase B and Zack Bia, curated cuisines, a massive speaker system, and libations. The naturalistic venue rests on 605 acres of land between the San Fernando Valley and Beverly Hills.

"Los Angeles is a place famous for its legends, which is why we chose to reveal our new electric G-Class right here in Beverly Hills," stated Bettina Fetzer, Vice President of Communications & Marketing Mercedes Benz AG. "For over four decades, the G-Class has shown its ability to go almost anywhere on the planet, and tonight the tables were turned. We're very grateful that so many of our beloved G-family, like Kendall Jenner, Bradley Cooper, and Travis Scott, joined us to celebrate the relaunch of our icon tonight."

Taking its name from Geländewagen, meaning off-road vehicle, the luxurious SUV is nicknamed G-Wagen. It can be seen and heard in popular music videos and hip-hop songs and prominently on the streets of every major city. In fact, near the Mercedes-Benz host hotel -- EDITION West Hollywood -- where VIP guests and media resided, I counted over 40 G-Wagens touring the trendy neighborhood. Thus, LA was the perfect epicenter to host and launch the electric G-Class since it is EV-friendly and already boasts a strong following. Passionate owners looking to upgrade to the more earth-conscious EV will enjoy the current G 580's advanced technologies, such as G-TURN to maneuver more effectively, G-STEERING when driving off-road, and G-ROAR, which generates digitized sounds for the muscular and rugged all-terrain utility.

G-Class fans can now purchase traditional gasoline models or the G 580 with EQ Technology. The e-SUV is emboldened by four electric motors that produce 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque to achieve roughly 250 miles of range from a 116-kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery. Expect a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph. For adventurers, M-B engineered the vehicle with a transparent hood for a digital off-road experience and a LOW RANGE off-road gear function akin to low-speed cruise control. Interestingly enough, each motor has its gearbox for the independent operation of each wheel. Moreover, every feature on the gas models will be available on the electric G-Class. Inside the tech-savvy cockpit, expect the vivid MBUX infotainment system, a Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel, an expressive Burmester 3D Surround Sound System, and a 12.3" multimedia display with touch control and a 12.3" driver display.

Fun fact: even the Pope utilizes the services of the storied G-Class. To return down memory lane, M-B lined Franklin Canyon Park with nostalgic G-Class models for attendees to fancy. Included were the wondrous 2014 AMG G 63 6x6, a 1979 G 300 GD, the 1996 G 290 GD Pickup, a 1998 G 320 Convertible, and the aforementioned 2014 G 500 Cabriolet owned by Jenner. M-B says the AMG G 63 6x6 is probably the most spectacular G-Class they have ever made. Manufactured in Austria with the rest of the lineup, the tactical machine can traverse through water, climb steep hills, and jump over dunes at high speeds. Additionally, owners can inflate and deflate the tires while driving. It sounds like I need to plan a trip to Dubai to evaluate G-Class capabilities in its natural habitat directly!

In sequence with the G-Class unveil, M-B gave media guests a tour of will.i.am's studio to showcase his collaborative innovations with the German automaker aptly known as MBUX SOUND DRIVE. As an aficionado of the brand before their partnership, he revered Benzes from day one. Specifically with MBUX SOUND DRIVE, will.i.am's team tailors music to adapt to your driving style for an active, immersive audio experience. For example, if you accelerate, the music levels increase. Pretty cool!

Are you ready to transition into an electric G-Class, representing a new era of the three-pointed star? It's an icon with an incredulous history and a forward-thinking future.