Thursday 19th April 2012

G63 and G65 AMG - the details

New twin-turbo G63 too wimpy for you? Lucky there's a 612hp V12 G65 as well then...

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We brought you news of the refreshed G-Class range last week - now here's further information about the two AMG heavyweights at the top of it. As reported, the G55 and its thunderous Kompressor V8 are gone, replaced by the latest twin-turbo 5.5-litre AMG V8 instead. And, yes, it still has side exhausts.

V8 or V12 - they both get two turbos

It's also got a dose more power, 544hp (an additional 37hp, like it needed it) and 560lb ft the basic stats, 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and a restricted 131mph top speed calling time before the aerodynamics (we use the term lightly) do the same. Amid amusing talk of 'controlled efficiency' settings on the seven-speed transmission and an Eco setting with start-stop, the bald figures can't lie - 322g/km and a wildly optimistic 20.5mpg are the best it'll do.

Not that the target audience - who made up a staggering 40 per cent of G-Class buyers in the 55's case - will particularly care.

Given that so many G buyers opted for AMG and were clearly not deterred by the near-£120K pricetag, the guys at Affalterbach have decided to offer an official version of a G-Class upgrade long offered by Brabus and others, and sling a twin-turbo V12 in it to create the G65.

Leather, ruched, quilted and ... brown

This doubles the price - yes, doubles - and gets you ultimate bragging rights in terms of 612hp and peak torque limited to 737lb ft. And one tenth off the 0-62 time. You also get a little more leeway on the vmax, the G65 capable of 144mph. And in case people don't notice the badges or subtly different soundtrack there's a chrome grille for maximum bling value.

Like the sound of that? Well, tough luck if you live in the UK because we won't be getting it. Meaning you'll have to make do with the not-exactly-pitiful G63 instead. Ho hum! The G63 lands in the UK in the autumn with pricing here to be confirmed. German prices have though, the 63 costing 137,504 euros and the 65 an astounding 264,180 euros.

[Deranged Granny]

• Too wimpy

Words can't describe how much I want a G65! The ultimate excess.

[Nick_Johnson]

I have to say I am a massive fan of the G Wagon and I am so pleased that Mercedes Benz continues to develop it when in reality it should have died years and years ago.

Although the car has changed vastly since the days when my father owned his pillar box red, 280GE, Auto, Short Wheel Base, I have always promised myself one. More than likely it would be a G350 CDI BlueTec, however if money wasn't an object I would think I would opt for the G63 over the G65.....I am not hugely taken with that new style grill and air ducts and I do not know why but I just think a V8 suits the cars personality more so than a V12.

Nick

[uncle tez]

I love it. Think I would be happy with the V8 and a pocket full of cash left over myself. I love the interior but i cant help but think that the tablet pc screen looks like a bit of an after thought thats just been stuck on the dash

[PaperCut]

I like how it's got all the latest gizmos and electronics plus a V12, yet still has exposed door hinges!

Want factor = 10/10

[BuzzLightyear]

Shows where Land Rover should have gone with the Defender.

[blackchrome917]

265 grand for a defender type vehicle - un-believable
130+ grand difference for 37bhp - astounding

The fact that they made it - fantastic!

[E30M3SE]

The ultimate 2 figured salute?

[Madmatt74]

blackchrome917 said:

265 grand for a defender type vehicle - un-believable
130+ grand difference for 37bhp - astounding

The fact that they made it - fantastic!

3.5K per extra BHP?

I'll take a RR and V8 Atom thanks.

[Jont999]

blackchrome917 said:

265 grand for a defender type vehicle - un-believable
130+ grand difference for 37bhp - astounding

The fact that they made it - fantastic!

I'd rather start with a Bowler Wildcat and add a nice interior. Faster, cooler and a better noise...

[Vilhelm]

They've made it look like a Tonka toy. It just looks wrong to my eyes.

[rtz62]

Must be like driving a mountain powered by an atomic weapon of mass distraction.
Totally pointless but a great way to give the EuroTossers in Brussels the middle finger.

[P-Jay]

I suppose if you're going to build a car that only appeals to people with their own oil field you might as well take the piss with the price.

[Shewie]

I struggled to comprehend the price of the G63.... But the G65 is €265,000!! Whoever said the Germans have no sense of humour was sadly mistaken. I am loving the sheer lunacy of it though.

[Shewie]

At least it's powerful enough to pull the supertanker needed to fuel it....

[Skater12]

For quater of a million pounds you could have the mother of all Range Rover sports, or a Brabus G-class with a hell of a lot of toys on it.
I'd much rather give my money to the crazies at Brabus, than the White coat wearers at AMG any day.

Or if you're mental, get a comfy Rangey for day to day use, and build one of these!

Just watch the whole thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TktKkmLZAPM&fea...

[alexpa]

Shewie said:

I struggled to comprehend the price of the G63.... But the G65 is €265,000!! Whoever said the Germans have no sense of humour was sadly mistaken. I am loving the sheer lunacy of it though.

For the type of client who buys this (Russian, China, Mid east etc), the higher the price, the more desirable.

Moscow is full of blacked out Brabus G's

[AlpinaB5s]

This vehicle is even more pointless than the X6, an that is currently the most pointless vehicle on the planet.

V12 twin turbo with a Vmax akin to a 1990's astra 2.0 GTE.

I bet its not a particlularly pleasant place to be at anywhere near vmax either, what with it having the aerodynamics of a particularly pointy house brick.

[ST150HB]

Ridiculous.


I want one

[School boy]

So we'd have to go Brabus for a V12. Damn it.

If I could afford it, I'd have one of each.

[vit4]

I just cannot see the appeal of this vehicle Normally with loony editions like these I can, but I struggle to see where or how the G-class carved its niche out Still, horses for courses