Mercedes has unveiled a new compact SUV concept called the G-Code. The G-Code’s styling could give us a clue about a high-riding urban-based SUV model already under development at Mercedes. The new SUV is as part of a future-proofing strategy aimed at attracting younger buyers to the traditional luxury car brand, and could be positioned below the A-class, making it the new step-on point to the luxury brand.
The G-Code concept has a five-door hatchback body with short overhangs at each end. It adopts elements of Mercedes’ current design language, including a bold twin-blade grille, angular headlamps with G-shaped LED graphics, prominent chamfered arches housing 21-inch wheels, heavily structured surfacing and a one-piece tailgate. Among the G-Code’s more flamboyant design touches is a canopy-style glasshouse, with the windscreen wrapping around over the A-pillars to give the roof a floating appearance, similar to the treatment used by Mini on its more recent models.
The G-Code also takes advantage of the lack of a traditional B-pillar by employing coach-style doors at the rear to give unhindered access to the cabin.
For added visual effect, the grille is backlit in one of three colours – blue, purple or red – depending on the chosen driving mode. The designers have also replaced traditional exterior rear-view mirrors with two cameras mounted on retractable arms within the upper section of the A-pillars. A full-length strip of LEDs is also used at the rear, providing illumination for the indicators, tail-lamps and brake lights.
At 4100mm long, 1900mm wide and 1500mm tall, the G-Code is 317mm shorter, 96mm wider and 6mm taller than Mercedes’ existing entry-level SUV, the GLA. This suggests that the Mercedes G-code would possibly rival compact SUVs such as the upcoming Audi Q1.
The G-Code concept can operate in front-wheel drive powered solely by the combustion engine, the rear-wheel drive propelled by the electric motor, or in four-wheel drive with both the combustion engine and electric motor.
Advanced regenerative technologies include a ‘Multi-voltaic’ paint that not only acts like a giant solar cell to produce electrical energy when the sun shines, but also regenerates electrostatic energy as wind is drawn over the surface.
The G-Code also features what Mercedes calls “power-on-the-move suspension”. Here, the rebound movement of the springs and dampers is used to drive a generator via hydraulic means to create electricity – this tech could work quite well on our roads.
The interior has a clean look with controls – including steering wheel, pedals and head-up display – that automatically extend from their rest positions when the ignition is triggered via a smartphone.
A large screen spans almost the entire width of the instrument binnacleand houses vehicle information as well as infotainment functions and images from the rear-view cameras.
A flat panel runs through the middle of the cabin, providing mounting points for a rotary controller, various switches, and aluminum grab handles. Meanwhile, 3D body scanners allow the leather-lined carbonfibre-backed seats to automatically adjust to suit occupants, providing massage, heating and cooling functions. And, the air conditioner could use oxygen produced during hydrogen synthesis to provide fresh air even in stop-and-go traffic – especially useful in polluted cities in our country.
Taking the personal mobility theme beyond the car itself, the G-Code also houses two electric scooters below the floor of the luggage compartment. They are conceived to be recharged during driving to provide additional mobility in the city after parking.
Although Mercedes describes the G-Code as an advanced design study with little technical significance to its future production car line-up, its exterior design, dimensions and interior packaging could spawn a new entry-level model not just the brand’s SUV range but the brand itself.