Mercedes has long brought exceptional off road prowess in the form of the G Wagen, and now it’s bringing that into the electric age with the G 580 Edition One. Off road performance is one of the areas that the switch to an electric drivetrain brings both potential benefits and drawbacks. Electric motors give instant torque and good control and might be an advantage in tricky terrain. Additionally, there is no traditional engine to cause weight distribution issues and therefore possibly improve approach and departure angles. But there are negatives, such as the heavy battery pack, and worries about range anxiety in rural areas. While there are plenty of off road enthusiasts who think the electric powertrain will make the G Wagen even more capable, others are not convinced that it will match the capabilities of the combustion engine predecessors when the going gets tough.