Mercedes “G-Class Mini”.

It’s no secret Mercedes has been working on a smaller, less expensive off-road vehicle inspired by the original G-Class truck.

Apparently, Mercedes is now saying it will have its own platform. So it won’t exactly be a smaller G-Class. The second image in an official teaser from Mercedes was released a few weeks ago. And of course, it looks exactly like a smaller G-class.

Mercedes has plenty of room for such a vehicle. The current G-Class starts at an eye-popping $148,000 in the US. Even if the small one starts at close to $100 000. They can claim to have built t amuch “more affordable” model.

The current G-Class i also larger than the original model dating back to 1979. Which was also available with 2 doors. The new model could end up being a rebirth of the original G-class. The illustration above shows a 2-door truck. Something that could compete against the Land Rover Defender. And in North America, with higher-end trims of the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco.

So far, the rumor is about the new Mini G to be sold exclusively as an EV.

Mercedes has been on a downward spiral with their recent designs. The new GLC electric is the worst example of that new trend. It will be interesting to see if they will try to cram their new huge grille onto he small G-Class design, or not. They keep mentioning they want to keep it “iconic”.

But that’s how they also describe that ghastly grille…