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Mercedes Little G
Technical description:
Model: Little G
Body type: SUV
Length: around 173 inches
Drivetrain: standard all-wheel drive expected across the line-up
Power: 208 horsepower in the hybrid version
Torque: 280 pound-feet in the hybrid version
Battery: 85 kWh in the electric version
WLTP range: around 450 miles potential range for the electric version
Platform: completely new development platform
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What's new
Mercedes Little G has been caught as a camouflaged prototype, and its shape reads like a downsized G-Class. The flat roofline, swollen wheel arches and rear-mounted side-hinged door are all present, only packed into a body roughly one foot shorter than the full-size model. That puts the newcomer in compact SUV territory while keeping the visual language that makes the larger G-Class instantly recognisable.
Ola Källenius has been referring to the project as the “Little G”, a name that captures the brief rather directly. Mercedes is taking the look of the Geländewagen and scaling it down for buyers who want the same visual statement without the cost of the larger model. The full-size G-Class recorded its best sales year in 2025, with nearly 50,000 units sold globally, while the cheapest version in America starts at $155,250.
The prototype seen on video was silent, which points to a fully electric version. The bigger change is that Mercedes has apparently stepped back from making the Little G an EV-only product. A hybrid variant is now said to be in the pipeline, a move that fits the current North American market, where demand for battery-electric cars has cooled and hybrids are taking share from pure EVs.
Specifications and technology
The Little G is expected to measure around 173 inches long, so it sits comfortably in the compact SUV class. The prototype also appears to ride lower than the full-size Geländewagen, which suggests its off-road ground clearance will not match the original model. Mercedes still promises “genuine off-road capability”, so the smaller size is not meant to turn the car into a purely urban crossover.
Källenius describes the platform as a “completely new development”. That matters because the Little G is not being presented as a simple shortened body placed on an existing vehicle base. It is being developed as a separate member of the G-Class family, with its own technical package and a smaller footprint.
Powertrains and figures
The hybrid version is reportedly set to use the same turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine as the new CLA, paired with electric assistance. The combined output is expected to be 208 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The electric version is rumoured to carry an 85 kWh battery pack and offer a potential range of around 450 miles.
That would be a large increase over the current G 580 with EQ Technology, which reaches around 280 miles according to the figures cited. Dual electric motors and standard all-wheel drive are expected across the line-up. The package is aimed at preserving the G-Class character, even if many owners are likely to spend most of their time on pavement rather than rough tracks.
- Hybrid version: turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with electric assistance.
- Hybrid output: 208 horsepower.
- Hybrid torque: 280 pound-feet.
- Electric version: 85 kWh battery pack.
- Potential EV range: around 450 miles.
- Drivetrain: expected dual electric motors and standard all-wheel drive.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | around 173 inches |
| Hybrid output | 208 horsepower |
| Hybrid torque | 280 pound-feet |
| EV battery | 85 kWh |
| EV range | around 450 miles |
Markets, prices and availability
Production of the Mercedes Little G is expected to begin in the second half of 2027. No specific public debut date, motor show or official price list is stated. The material also does not name launch markets, although North America is clearly relevant to the powertrain strategy because Mercedes is responding to softer EV demand and stronger hybrid interest there.
Adding a combustion-assisted version changes the risk profile of the project. Launching the Little G only as an electric vehicle would have made it more dependent on one part of the market. Offering both electric and hybrid powertrains gives Mercedes a wider customer base and a way to keep the model aligned with changing demand.
G-Class family and rivals
The Little G will not arrive alone within the broader G-Class strategy. Mercedes is also preparing the return of the Cabriolet, described as a four-door drop-top that has already been teased and is expected in AMG G 63 form. The brand is stretching the G-Class name downward in size, outward in body style and forward into electrified powertrains.
An AMG version of the Little G has not been confirmed, but digital renderings have already imagined one with a Panamericana grille, more aggressive bumpers and side-exit exhaust tips borrowed from the G 63. Audi and BMW are also reportedly developing their own G-Class competitors, aiming at the same appetite for boxy, rugged-looking luxury SUVs. Mercedes, however, has a 45-year head start in making this particular shape part of its identity.
- Expected production start: second half of 2027.
- G-Class expansion: smaller Little G and returning Cabriolet.
- Possible but unconfirmed derivative: AMG Little G.
- Reported rivals: future Audi and BMW projects targeting boxy luxury SUVs.
Verdict
The Mercedes Little G takes the most valuable visual elements of the G-Class and moves them into a smaller, less costly SUV. The combination of an 85 kWh electric version, a 1.5-litre hybrid and standard all-wheel-drive expectations gives Mercedes more than one way to reach buyers. If the production model keeps the proportions seen on the prototype, this could become a major new branch of the G-Class family.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Mercedes Little G premiere or reveal?
The Mercedes Little G is listed in the calendar for 2027, but the manufacturer has not announced an exact public reveal date yet. Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2027.
When will the Mercedes Little G go on sale in the UK?
A UK on-sale date for the Mercedes Little G has not been announced. Launch markets have not been named, and production is only expected to start in the second half of 2027.
How much will the Mercedes Little G cost?
Mercedes has not announced pricing for the Little G in the UK or any other market. The only stated price is for the larger G-Class in America, where the cheapest version starts at $155,250, so it does not apply to the Little G or the UK.
Should I wait for the Mercedes Little G or buy the current model now?
There is no direct predecessor named for the Mercedes Little G, so a full comparison is not possible yet. Waiting could bring a smaller G-Class-style SUV with electric and hybrid powertrains and expected standard all-wheel drive, while the current full-size G-Class is larger and available now.
What range and drivetrain will the Mercedes Little G have?
The electric Mercedes Little G is expected to use an 85 kWh battery with a potential WLTP range of around 450 miles. Standard all-wheel drive is expected across the line-up.
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