The much-anticipated Mercedes-Benz ‘Little G’ is on track for a 2027 debut. While that comes as little surprise, a report by Autocar reveals that the smaller sibling to the iconic ‘G-Wagon’ may not be all that “small” — and will be offered in both fully electric (EV) and internal combustion (ICE) forms.
Earlier reports suggested the ‘Little G’ would share its underpinnings with the new electric Mercedes-Benz GLC and upcoming 2026 electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However, following softer-than-expected demand for the electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Mercedes-Benz is now reportedly planning a broader powertrain mix, offering both EV and ICE variants — in line with its wider strategy of maintaining drivetrain flexibility.
Former Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer, Markus Schäfer, previously stated that the ‘Little G’ would sit on a completely independent architecture to ensure it remains “as authentic as possible.” As such, the model is expected to adopt a new ladder-frame chassis rather than a shared unibody platform. The fully electric version is expected to feature an 85 kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery pack, targeting up to 450 miles (724 km) of range.
As for the ICE variant, the SUV is said to receive a new hybridised 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine developed by Horse Powertrain — a joint venture between Geely and Renault. The same powertrain is set to debut in an ICE version of the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA, which Autocar reports will produce 191 hp and 300 Nm of torque.
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All variants are expected to come standard with all-wheel drive, paired with an advanced power management system capable of torque vectoring to distribute drive to each wheel individually — reinforcing its off-road capabilities, much like the larger G-Class.
While earlier speculation positioned the ‘Little G’ as a potential Suzuki Jimny rival, Autocar suggests it may not be all that “little” after all. The SUV is reportedly set to measure around 4,400 mm in length, placing it closer in size to models such as the upcoming Land Rover Defender Sport, Toyota Land Cruiser FJ and Ford Bronco.
What hasn’t changed, however, is Mercedes-Benz’s determination to ensure the “Little G” stays visually faithful to the full-size Mercedes-Benz G-Class. That said, its smaller dimensions mean many body panels will be entirely unique — “far more than I ever wish to tell you,” Schäfer told Autocar.
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