Last year, Mercedes-Benz announced plans to expand its SUV line-up with another Gelandewagen, a 'Little g' that would be sold only as an electric vehicle. The smaller off-roader impressed fans with a suitably small-and-boxy look in teasers shared by the brand last fall, but the plan has reportedly changed since then in at least one way—and the update should be good news for anyone hoping for an internal combustion model. According to a report from Autocar, the 'Little g' should be getting a hybrid powertrain option with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 in addition to its previously-announced, all-electric variant. Unfortunately for fans of the goofy working name, the same report also suggests that final branding will be something more conventional. If that engine sounds familiar, you might recognize it from the internal combustion version of the new, EV-forward CLA-Class and GLB-Class. The 1.5, produced in an unusually-named joint venture called 'Horse ...
Last year, Mercedes-Benz announced plans to expand its SUV line-up with another Gelandewagen, a ‘Little g’ that would be sold only as an electric vehicle. The smaller off-roader impressed fans with a suitably small-and-boxy look in teasers shared by the brand last fall, but the plan has reportedly changed since then in at least one way—and the update should be good news for anyone hoping for an internal combustion model.
According to a report from Autocar, the ‘Little g’ should be getting a hybrid powertrain option with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 in addition to its previously-announced, all-electric variant. Unfortunately for fans of the goofy working name, the same report also suggests that final branding will be something more conventional.
If that engine sounds familiar, you might recognize it from the internal combustion version of the new, EV-forward CLA-Class and GLB-Class. The 1.5, produced in an unusually-named joint venture called ‘Horse Powertrain’ with Geely and Renault, packs a little under 200 hp in its currently-announced applications. As this is a third small Mercedes meant to bridge the company’s electric ambitions with its internal combustion realities, output should be similar here.
While the mini G-Wagen might share powertrain flexibility with the latest small sedan and crossover from Mercedes, it should be more than just a squared-off body on their existing platforms. According to Autocar, like the larger G, this is expected to be a completely unique car riding on a bespoke platform designed for the application. That might not help keep costs down in the CLA range, but the resulting car should still be more affordable than its larger relative.
The mini G-Wagen’s hybrid powertrain option could bring it more in line with its larger relative, the G-Class, which offers a range of internal combustion engines. While the mini G-Wagen might not have the same level of luxury or off-road capability as the larger G, it could still be an attractive option for those looking for a more affordable, versatile SUV.
In terms of pricing, the mini G-Wagen’s hybrid powertrain option could make it more competitive with other compact SUVs in its class. The CLA-Class and GLB-Class, which share the same 1.5-liter engine, start at around $35,000 and $28,000, respectively. The mini G-Wagen, which will likely start at a premium price, could offer a more premium experience for its price.
Overall, the addition of a hybrid powertrain option to the mini Gelandewagen is a welcome update that could make the car more attractive to a wider range of buyers. While it may not have the same level of off-road capability as its larger relative, the mini G-Wagen could still be a great option for those looking for a versatile, affordable SUV.
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