Getting a Due Date
Mercedes-Benz announced plans for a smaller version of the iconic G-Class in 2023. Since then, a lot has changed, including a shift from an electric-only powertrain strategy to one that also includes a hybrid variant. These changes may have contributed to delays, but prospective buyers may be delighted to know it now has a timeline.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said the smaller G-Class, also called the Baby G or Little G, is coming “sooner than you think.” When the interviewer asked for more clues, Källenius said “less than 24 months from now,” suggesting an arrival before October 2028. That’s nearly five years in the making since the model was first announced.
What’s Behind the Little G?
The Baby G will roll off the production line at Mercedes’ plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, rather than Germany, as early reports suggested. This also means the Baby G will not be built at the Magna Steyr factory in Graz, Austria, where the original G-Class is manufactured and once shared production facilities with the now-discontinued Toyota GR Supra and BMW Z4.
While building the Baby G in Hungary could help reduce production costs, the location has relatively little direct significance for the U.S. Under current trade rules, the smaller G-Class would be subject to the same 15% tariff either way. Interestingly, U.S. dealers were the ones who pushed Mercedes to offer a combustion-powered alternative, which isn’t surprising given the decline in EV sales following the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit last year.
The 24-month timeline also means Mercedes could have an answer to Land Rover, which is reportedly developing a smaller Defender, expected to bear the Defender Sport name. Reports suggest the Defender Sport could arrive as soon as 2027, just in time to compete against the Baby G in the niche compact luxury off-roader segment. It is essentially uncharted territory, though models like the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ and Ford Bronco Sport could offer competition despite their more mainstream positioning.
Mercedes-Benz
The Baby G So Far
What’s known for now, at least according to Källenius, is that while the G-Class itself is already iconic, many have expressed interest in the Baby G, saying his phone “was on fire with messages” when it was announced.
Full specifications have yet to be disclosed. But considering its positioning, the Baby G could offer buyers a more attainable way into the G-Class family. For reference, the G-Class currently starts at $153,900 MSRP in the U.S., with the performance-oriented AMG G 63 starting at $198,750.
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