[4] At Innotrans 2012, a twin 350 kW diesel-engined version with electrical transmission was shown, with additional variants proposed including single-engined, hybrid, and battery-powered version.

[10] Verkehrsbetriebe Peine-Salzgitter (VPS) was the launch customer and ordered 18 locomotives in April 2010, the contract was valued at approximately €25 million; the locomotives were ordered as part of a replacement program for VPS's fleet of 43 three axle diesels.

[11][12] The first locomotive for VPS was exhibited at InnoTrans 2010, along with the other new members of the 5th generation family, the diesel-hydraulic G12 and the diesel-electric DE 18.

[13][14] In 2012, at Innotrans Vossloh displayed a multiengined diesel-electric version, the G6 ME;[15] the design uses two 350 kW truck engines, meeting Euro 97/68 IIIB emission standards (Euro stage V) with other main specifications unchanged, utilising the same underframe, cab, brakes and controls of the diesel hydraulic version.

[18] In early 2014 the first locomotive to be fitted with the new design MTU R 1600 R50 engine was put in service at BASF Ludwigshafen.