Mercedes-Benz 'Mini-G' crossover launching in 2026 – report

Honey, I shrunk the G-Wagen!

Mercedes-Benz is reportedly working on a crossover that will have design cues inspired by the supply-constrained G-Class off-roader, in a similar fashion to how the Ford Bronco Sport crossover resembles its Bronco big brother.

As reported by German publication Handelsblatt, unnamed sources at the company said Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius is pushing for a “Mini-G” to launch around 2026.

This yet-unnamed crossover will reportedly be based on the company’s upcoming Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) that’s set to debut in a next-generation CLA in 2024.

If this is the case the “Mini-G” could be a tougher-looking version of the next-generation GLA or GLB which are also expected to utilise the MMA platform.

It could even take some of the design cues from the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force concept, which has styling reminiscent of the electric Concept EQG from 2021.

The “Mini-G” will reportedly be available with internal-combustion engine (ICE) and electric powertrain options, like both the GLA and GLB.

In February 2022 our spy photographers captured a mysterious mule wearing the body on an old W204-series C-Class sedan. It was speculated at the time this could be a mule for the smaller G-Class.

Handelsblatt indicated Mercedes-Benz is currently working on a range of sedan and SUVs exclusively for the Chinese market. This G-Wagen-inspired crossover could be one of these vehicles.

In terms of the regular G-Class, Australian orders for the AMG G63 are still closed for the foreseeable future.

Although the local division recently introduced an Edition 55 special edition model, orders for the G63 have been closed since the middle of 2021.

A production version of the Mercedes-Benz EQG is expected to be revealed in 2024. We’ve already had a ride-along in a camouflaged prototype, and also seen a number of spied prototypes.

This electric G-Class will have a quad-electric motor setup and be based on a variation of the regular G-Class’s traditional body-on-frame underpinnings.

The production version of the Mercedes-Benz EQG will be built alongside the combustion G-Class at partner Magna Steyr’s plant in Graz, Austria.

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