Tuesday 17th May 2011

Merc G65 AMG V12 Run-Out Special Rumoured

Will AMG say goodbye to the Mercedes G-wagen with 12 cylinders and two turbos?

---

Rumours reach our ears (or rather our eyes, for this story hails from the fine folks at autoblog.nl) that the Legendary Mercedes G-wagen is to receive a spot of V12 heart transplant action before it shuffles off this mortal coil.

It seems that AMG’s engineers may just want to celebrate the G-class/G-wagon/G-wagen’s three-and-a-bit decades of production (the first car rolled onto the mud tracks of Germany in 1979) with a limited run of G65 AMGs before it’s axed, thus blessing the chunky off-roader with 612hp and 737lb ft of twin-turbo V12.

That’s 105hp more than than the current G55 musters and, considering that can manage the 0-62mph sprint in 5.5secs, a V12 version should be quite a beast away from the line – although aerodynamics will inevitably still severely restrict its top speed, so don’t imagine anything much greater than the G55’s 130mph terminal velocity.

The G-wagen has form with V12s, too – Brabus does its own version and rumour has it that AMG has already produced a number of 12-cylinder versions for particularly enthusiastic (and wealthy) clients.

There’s still no official word on whether the G65 will actually happen, but if it does our Dutch friends reckon we can expect a run of 200 units, priced at around €220k (£192k).

[Motown Junk]

Utterley Ridiculous.

Want.

[George H]

Love it

[Mr Whippy]

Didn't Brabus do a V12 7.3 version all those years ago. That engine with 593bhp or something, was it?!

Personally I'd take the 5.5 supercharged version. Not sure why, something about that V8 woofle with the whine of a charger that suits a Mercedes perfectly

Dave

[kambites]

What a completely stupid, utterly unsuitable (to every use I can think of) vehicle.


Can I have one please?

[PH lurker]

I hope they make this so much, even though it's unlikely I'll see one on the road, let alone ever own one.
It seems a bit insane but truly incredible.

[Lefty]

One word: Oligarch.

I wouldn't want one but I'm glad it (might) exist.

[Matt UK]

I just don't get why the G costs so much.

Yes, I hear it is hand made, but it still doesn't stack up IMO. Maybe I need to drive one first.

[OdramaSwimLaden]

Matt UK said:

I just don't get why the G costs so much.

Yes, I hear it is hand made, but it still doesn't stack up IMO. Maybe I need to drive one first.

You've answered your own question; hand made cars demand a premium.

[Chicane-UK]

I have an irrational hatred for most 4x4's... but this I think I'd have a soft spot for, purely for the insanity.

[JohnG1]

It's butt ugly, will guzzle petrol faster than most oil wells could pump it out of the ground but I want one. V12 + turbos = yes please

[alexpa]

That's a quick house!

[loveice]

Matt UK said:

I just don't get why the G costs so much.

Yes, I hear it is hand made, but it still doesn't stack up IMO. Maybe I need to drive one first.

Well, if LR ever puts the AM DBS V12 into its Defender as the 'final edition' with leather covers all most every single interior surfaces, plus all the gadgets from a Range Rover they can fit, then I'm sure it'll be the same if not more expensive than an any AMG versions of G-Wagon. Oh, and its suspensions, 4wd system, chassis, in fact every single moving parts have to be re-designed/engineered just for a single low production volume model. Even with an 100k+ price targ, I don't think they will make any money on this kind of 'show off' end of the line special limited edition model.

[B10]

Can someone please explain the fashion for blacked out rear windows on cars these days. Especially on ordinary new cars. Personally it makes them look like pimp-mobiles. Are people aspiring drug dealers or is it just to keep the car cool in temperature.

[Adz The Rat]

Wow, that has just gone on my shopping list.

[The Wookie]

Worth pointing out that the 130mph top speed is limited.

Also worth pointing out that the limiter on the old man's G55 doesn't appear to work... I bottled it at 141 as it needed two lanes, but it was still pulling hard

[zorba_the_greek]

Would rather the Range Rover Holland & Holland special and spend any change on fuel and ammo

[TUS 373]

Can't wait for the Youtube footage of one of these going tits up in a Russian river - being driven by an off road lunatic with his mafia friends looking on!

[Harry Flashman]

What a stupid, pointless and irresponsible vehicle.

I'd like one in matt olive green, please, for the full measure of awesome.

[Jonny TVR]

[redacted]

[soad]

Insane power level right there