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[Sports Seoul — text and photos by Won Seong‑yun, video by Park Kyung‑ho] “A different kind of spicy — Cheongyang pepper vibe. If you want to know how, I can show you right now.”
The moment I pressed the accelerator, ATEEZ’s “BOUNCY (K‑HOT CHILLI PEPPERS)” roared through the heavy speakers. A relentless, driving bass wrapped the vehicle like a second skin. True to the song’s swagger, the car projects an overwhelming presence. This is the Mercedes‑Benz icon and off‑road king in its first pure electric form: the Mercedes‑Benz G 580 with EQ Technology (hereafter the G 580 EV).
A G‑Wagen without the V8’s booming exhaust? At first it felt oddly unfamiliar, even a little mournful. Visually and to the touch it’s unmistakably a classic G‑Wagen: the boxy, rugged silhouette, the metallic “clunk” when you close the door, the raised turn indicators on the hood. But the soundscape points squarely to the future. In a way, the car keeps its familiar shell while its inner essence is wholly transformed — a shift in being.
I switched on the power and drove along winding mountain roads and off‑road tracks around Seojong‑myeon in Yangpyeong County. Pressing the pedal sent the more‑than‑3‑ton body forward with the same unbridled energy you hear in ATEEZ’s performance. Each wheel has its own electric motor, delivering a combined 587 metric horsepower (about 579 hp) and a peak torque of 118.7 kg·m (about 859 lb·ft). The instant torque of an EV makes this heavy machine feel surprisingly nimble — an explosive thrust that matches the song’s refrain: “Burst, burst, fly far away.”
The off‑road sections were the most revealing. Confronted with a steep, muddy, rock‑strewn incline, I activated the “G‑Roar” sound. This simulated engine noise gives the hushed electric drivetrain a feral edge. When the wheels dug in, the “G‑Turn” let the vehicle pivot 360 degrees in place — watching that hulking body spin like a tank delivered a jolt that felt to defy physics. The “G‑Steering” feature, which shortens the wheel trajectory to free the vehicle from tight trails, feels like one of electrification’s small miracles for off‑roaders.
“Slow it down, make it Bouncy.” Just as ATEEZ fine‑tunes dynamics on stage, the G 580 EV isn’t all brute force. A robust carbon‑composite skid plate shields the 116 kWh battery pack beneath the vehicle, and the EV actually exceeds its combustion‑engine counterpart in water fording: it can cross up to 850 mm (about 33.5 in) of water versus 700 mm (about 27.6 in) for the internal‑combustion model.
Returning to the city, the G 580 shed its wild side and settled into a refined urban luxury SUV. Without the engine’s residual vibration, the ride is smoother and more comfortable than any previous G‑Class. The surprising hush of the cabin—one of electrification’s quieter dividends—turns the interior into an ideal listening room. The latest driver‑assist systems, which manage following distance with precision, and the car’s smooth regenerative braking help make a clogged commute less draining.
The silent cabin is a perfect soundstage. I turned up the Burmester 3D surround sound and replayed ATEEZ’s “BOUNCY.” The same bass that thrilled on the trail now blends with the city’s neon into something like a fashionable lounge set. Despite its massive footprint and angular design, the G‑Wagen still commands attention even among glass towers. Swapping an engine for a battery hasn’t eroded the G‑Wagen’s identity; it has given the vehicle new life as a dual‑mode performer for both off‑road and urban settings in the electric era.
Just as ATEEZ introduced a new, Cheongyang‑pepper spice to K‑pop and rose to global prominence, the G 580 EV introduces a different kind of spice to the luxury EV market: the flavor of an off‑roader. For buyers who care about the environment but aren’t willing to surrender a macho feel, this car is a compelling answer. socool@sportsseoul.com
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