Mercedes next to come after a share of the Defender and Wrangler space with a miniature G-Wagen

According to comments made by Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius at the Munich motor show, a scaled-down vehicle following the G-Wagen formula is very much in the works.

As reported by Autocar, Kallinius said the incoming small off-roader would be "a son or daughter of the iconic big G" and that "it will have its own character, but it will be a G".

The upcoming off-roader is also expected to be positioned above the brand’s small cars like the A-Class and CLA, according to the brand’s design chief, Gordon Wagner, who added "segment-wise it will be above a C-segment car".

C-segment in Europe is the mid-size category, suggesting a price-point (and probably a size-class) far and above that of something like a Suzuki Jimny, likely more in the vein of a Jeep Wrangler or perhaps the two-door version of the Land Rover Defender. For the record, Mercedes is yet to announce the number of doors the new model will have.

There will definitely be an electric powertrain, which is likely to be shared with other smaller upcoming Mercedes-Benz electric cars like the just-revealed CLA, while some outlets are suggesting it will also be available with combustion drivetrains.

Reportedly, it will also be on a new platform which makes use of the learnings from upgrades to the ladder frame G-Class platform which were required to build the EQG EV. Other features from the new range of EVs are likely to include an 800-volt architecture for fast charging.

Kallenius has reportedly promised a car which will take the "character of the big and brash G-Class and condense it into a more compact package".

Kallenius has reportedly promised a car which will take the "character of the big and brash G-Class and condense it into a more compact package".

As for timing, Kallenius told media in Munich that the so-called "baby G" would arrive in "a few years", confirming speculation that comes from an earlier report in Germany is that it will launch in 2026.

As reported by Autocar, Kallinius said the incoming small off-roader would be "a son or daughter of the iconic big G" and that "it will have its own character, but it will be a G".

There is increasing competition in the tough off-roader space, as such vehicles are becoming increasingly popular amongst enthusiasts and flagship models like the G-Class, Defender, LandCruiser and Patrol are seen as aspirational examples.

Not only are there new or incoming replacement models for all of the above, but there are also an increasing number of rivals like the Ford Bronco and Rivian R1T in America, but also upcoming and more affordable models out of China, like the GWM Tank 300 and the upcoming BYD ute.

The upcoming off-roader is also expected to be positioned above the brand’s small cars like the A-Class and CLA.

The current G-Class is sold in a single-spec in Australia, the G63 AMG which costs from $363,561 before on-roads, leaving plenty of room pricewise below for a smaller G model, although the brand has not commented on pricing thus far.

It would build on an already robust range of SUVs from Mercedes, which includes a GLA/EQA compact SUV, GLB/EQB mid-size seven-seater, GLC mid-sizer, and the GLE and GLS large SUVs.