After years of speculation, whispers, and spy shots that seemed too good to be true, Mercedes-Benz finally pulled the sheet off one of its most intriguing projects in recent memory: a compact G-Class, nicknamed the “Mini G.” The announcement landed at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, where CEO Ola Källenius confirmed that prototypes are just around the corner. Mercedes even dropped a teaser image to stir the pot.

This isn’t just a shrunken-down G with less metal. According to Chief Technical Officer Markus Schäfer, the Mini G rides on a bespoke architecture designed to keep the model true to its rugged roots. We’re talking a miniaturized frame, original suspension geometry, and bodywork penned from scratch. Even the door handles won’t carry over from the full-size G—because why copy when you can reinvent?

The catch—or maybe the headline—is that the Mini G will be electric-only. Where the classic G straddles both ICE and EQ electric versions, this smaller sibling ditches gas entirely. Mercedes hasn’t revealed motor specs or battery sizes yet, but the move signals that Stuttgart intends the Mini G to be an urban warrior with trail cred, not just a fashion piece for the boulevard.

Design-wise, Chief Designer Gorden Wagener says the team isn’t about to mess with a good thing. The Mini G keeps the iconic upright stance and round headlights, while sharpening the lines and updating the light graphics for a modern edge. Think baby G-Wagen, but with a touch more crispness in the sheetmetal.

If development stays on schedule, expect to see production-ready Mini Gs prowling the roads in about two years. For Mercedes, it’s a clever play: distill the essence of an icon into a more accessible, more sustainable package. For fans, it’s the chance to get behind the wheel of something that still feels like a G—only without the scale (or price tag) of its big brother.

Source: Mercedes-Benz