Mercedes "Baby G" to Get Gasoline Version Amid U.S. Dealer Push

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch a smaller, more affordable "Baby G" model to capitalize on the G-Class's surging popularity in recent years and expand its market reach. This all-new vehicle will not be based on the current G-Class platform or the next-generation CLA architecture. It will retain the body-on-frame construction and off-road capabilities of the original G-Class, along with iconic design elements such as the externally mounted spare tire. The vehicle is expected to measure approximately 4.4 meters in length. Initially, the model was slated to be offered exclusively as a battery-electric vehicle. However, after U.S. dealers previewed the prototype, they explicitly requested the addition of an internal combustion engine (ICE) variant. In response to this feedback, Mercedes-Benz has decided to launch both electric and ICE versions, emphasizing that the combustion-engine model must deliver outstanding performance. Additionally, given the uneven development of EV charging infrastructure worldwide, offering only an electric version could limit acceptance in certain markets. Global G-Class sales neared 50,000 units in 2025, marking its best-ever annual performance and further accelerating Mercedes-Benz’s push to introduce a compact derivative. The "Baby G" is expected to debut next year, though it remains uncertain whether the ICE version will launch simultaneously; it may instead be introduced later as a follow-up option.