There is no doubt about the target group Mercedes-Benz had in mind when developing the G 63 AMG 6×6 pre-production off-road vehicle. The pictures set in the desert and press release say it all: “The show vehicle is able to storm up the highest sand dunes with ease while sand tracks hold no fears thanks to its unshakable directional stability.”
Keeping that in mind, it is only natural that the G 63 AMG 6×6 is defined by excess. Take its footprint for instance: it is 5.87 meters (231 inches) long, 2.1 meters (82.7 inches) wide and 2.3 meters tall (90.6 inches), it weighs 3.85 tons and has a ground clearance of 460 mm (18.1 inches), more than double than the standard G 63 AMG, which sits “only” 210 mm (8.3 inches) above the ground. Needless to say, the G 63 AMG 6×6 is a machine designed to go anywhere.
Six driven wheels, an off-road low-range ratio in the transfer case, portal axles, no less than five differential locks which can be engaged on the move and a tyre-pressure control system which inflates the huge six tyres from a sand-friendly 0.5 bar to a tarmac-ready 1.8 bar in less than 20 seconds while the vehicle is running – all these features say all about the 6×6 pickup’s off-road capability.
As one would imagine, the 5.5-liter turbo V8 engine developing 544 horsepower and 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) of torque is not quite frugal, especially in this case where it has to move a 3.85-ton vehicle.
Although Mercedes-Benz didn’t reveal fuel economy and performance figures, it did say that it added a 63-liter tank to the standard 96-liter tank, for a total capacity of 159 liters. Given that, people who will buy this pickup won’t care at all about fuel economy, all they need to know is the pickup can complete a trip to the desert with their hunting falcons.
While on the outside the G 63 AMG 6×6 looks set to tackle every challenge nature could throw at it, the cabin is as luxurious as possible. It has four heated and ventilated individual seats upholstered in ‘designo’ leather with contrasting stitching, leather-covered dashboard and door panels and Alcantara covering on the roof liner and pillars. There also an AMG carbon fiber trim, with even the load area lined with tough bamboo.
Mercedes didn’t offer pricing details, saying it will decide to build the G 63 AMG 6×6 depending on the response to the near-series show vehicle.
By Dan Mihalascu
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