Arab sheiks watch out because Mercedes-Benz is coming (once again…) after your petrol dollars. If the new twin-turbocharged V8 and V12 AMG versions of the refreshed 2013 G-Class aren’t special or capable enough, the brand with the star has prepared a zanier iteration of its classic off-roader, aptly named the G63 AMG 6×6, but feel free to call it “das tier”…
In case you didn’t notice it in the pictures, the “6×6” refers to the new model’s six driven wheels. Benz didn’t exactly design the SUV from scratch, as it is based on a special military version of the G320 CDI made for the Australian army and which is in use since 2011, according to an Autoweek report.
While the civilian model keeps the military G’s all-wheel drive system with five (!) differential locks offering 100 percent lockup of all six wheels and which are controlled via buttons on the dash, Mercedes replaced the 3.0-liter diesel engine and 5sp automatic with a twin-turbo’d 5.5-liter V8 pushing out 536-horses and 560 lb-ft of torque connected to a 7G-tronic seven-speed auto.
The four-seater model adopts a pickup-truck body that measures 231.3 inches (5,867mm) long, 83.1 inches (2,111mm) wide and 87.0 inches (2,209mm) tall, or 43.5 inches (1,105mm) longer, 8.9 inches (226mm) wider and 10.7 inches (272mm) taller than the regular G63 AMG 4×4.
Other interesting facts include a huge ground clearance of 18.1 inches (460mm), approach and departure angles of 52 degrees (+16 over the regular G63 AMG) and 54 degrees (+27) respectively, while the 6×6 truck tips the scales at 8,322-pound or 3,775 kilos. The truck runs on 37-inch wheels with a bead-plate design all around.
Performance and fuel economy numbers are not available yet, but Mercedes head of G-class development, Axel Harries, told Autoweek magazine that the G63 AMG 6×6 will complete the 0-62 mph (100km/h) sprint in less than six seconds, have an electronically governed top speed of 100mph (160km/h) and return a fuel economy of around 13mpg (18lt/100km or 15.6mpg UK).
He added that Mercedes plans to build 20 to 30 trucks per year, with the G63 AMG 6×6 to be the brand’s second most expensive car in the range behind the $457,000 (€350,000) SLS Electric Drive.
Story References: Autoweek via Autoreview
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