Schäfer called the platform a “miniature ladder-frame chassis”, which he described as being “not ladder-frame [to the G-Class’s] extent”, but with similar qualities “when it comes to suspension and wheel size”.
Schäfer also revealed that the ‘Little G’ will use a significant number of unique components – “far more than I ever wish to tell you”. These include most of the bodywork.
He said: “Over time, just looking at the car’s capabilities and what’s needed, I came to the conclusion that everything has to be unique, the whole upper body and everything.
“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 G-Class is offered with both combustion engines and electric power, but Autocar understands the ‘Little 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.”
