Skip advert
Advertisement

LA Show: Mercedes Ener-G-Force

A new off-road concept paves the way for a new generation of Mercedes-Benz SUVs, and hints at a replacement for the aged G-Wagen

Mercedes has unveiled a new concept, the Ener-G-Force, at the 2012 LA motor show. It’s purely a design study, but Mercedes says it is a vision of its future off-road models, and could be the inspiration for the next incarnation of the G-Wagen.

The concept is a futuristic take on the classic Mercedes off-roader, with power coming from four individual hub-mounted electric motors, with quick-change battery packs mounted in the side skirts. These change colour to indicate how much power is remaining. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Seen here in highway patrol guise, with LED headlamps, an integrated roof carrier and additional lights in the roof, Mercedes has entered the concept into the Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge. Mercedes says that ‘all surfaces are designed to express intensity and tension’ and the concept’s body certainly lacks any sharp edges, creases or swage lines.

Like Land Rover with the Defender, Mercedes has danced around the need to replace its G-Wagen for years, but it has continued to upgrade and develop the old G-Class with all the latest kit to get it through ever tightening regulations.

The Ener-G-Force draws many parallels with the DC100 concept, in that it won’t make production in its current form, but it does lead the way for an all-new replacement for the beloved G-Wagen – which has been in production since 1979.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mercedes CLK DTM: the anatomy of the 2000s V8 touring car
Mercedes CLK DTM
Features

Mercedes CLK DTM: the anatomy of the 2000s V8 touring car

In 2000, the DTM was reborn with a new rule‑set, a new ethos and a new hero car, the Mercedes CLK DTM. We look under its skin
2 Jul 2025
Best AMG cars - Mercedes' all-time performance greats
Best Mercedes AMG models
Best cars

Best AMG cars - Mercedes' all-time performance greats

From track-honed supercars to thundering sports saloons, Mercedes-AMG has produced countless performance car icons over the years. These are the best …
25 Jun 2025
Your move, Singer: HWA to race the Mercedes 190E Evo restomod at the Nürburgring
HWA Evo front
News

Your move, Singer: HWA to race the Mercedes 190E Evo restomod at the Nürburgring

The makers of the Mercedes CLK GTR and Pagani Huayra R’s screaming V12 are taking their modern take on the iconic Mercedes 190E Evo II racing
19 Jun 2025
Mercedes-AMG’s 1000bhp Lotus Eletre fighter spied testing
Mercedes-AMG electric SUV front
News

Mercedes-AMG’s 1000bhp Lotus Eletre fighter spied testing

Don’t ask and ye shall receive, as development of Mercedes-AMG’s monster performance electric SUV continues at pace
5 Mar 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Mini JCW 2025 review – too feisty for its own good
Mini JCW – front
Reviews

Mini JCW 2025 review – too feisty for its own good

The petrol-powered JCW lives on – for now. But in its latest incarnation, has this supermini survivor become too hardcore?
6 Jul 2025
£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch
Alpine A290 Rallye
News

New Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric car we actually want, but there's a catch

The A290 has proven to be one of the best performance EVs yet, and now Alpine's taking it one step further with a rally variant
3 Jul 2025