“You know, I can’t even take a door handle from [the current] portfolio, because the G-Class has such unique door handles.
“So we spent a lot of time tuning this car, and over time we started to develop so many unique components to make sure it’s a very good-looking car and very capable.”
The current G-Class is offered with both combustion engines and electric power, but Autocar understands the Mini G will be sold exclusively as an EV.
Asked about powertrains, especially an electric one, Schäfer was coy, stating: “Stay tuned. I don’t want to go in to this detail.”
The Mini G’s styling will be that of a “tweaked” G-Class, according to Mercedes design boss Gorden Wagener, which will make it “even more modern” than the electric G580 EQ that was launched last year.
Speaking about the design, Wagener said: “You cannot change the G much: it’s iconic. I like the new [current G-Class]: that’s a modern G.
“On the little one, we will give a slight tweak: a bit more sharpness, a bit younger [headlight] graphics but still circle. So really it’s details.
“But otherwise we stick to the G, and it’s a modern G – even a touch more modern than the big one.”
Asked if he wanted to be slightly more radical with the design, Wagener said the fundamentals had to stay the same: “You have to hold yourself back and understand what the icon is about. We strive for iconic design, and there is not such an iconic piece like the G.”
