Mercedes-AMG has confirmed that its new Mercedes-AMG G 63 will be priced from £143,305, making it £7355 more expensive than the old car - although it does come with a new and more powerful V8 nestled into the front of a heavily revised structure.
Due on roads in July, the new top G-Class raises the already potent performance potential of its predecessor to new heights. It is capable of accelerating to 62mph in just 4.5sec and reaching a top speed of 149mph.
The heavily revised 2018 G63 aims to build on the largely unique qualities of its boxy predecessor with the adoption of a contemporary aluminium body shell and widened ladder frame chassis. They provide the new model with an added 210mm of width and what Mercedes-AMG describes as greater comfort and stability.
Further developments for the range-topping G-Class model include a new V8 engine and nine-speed automatic gearbox. They are combined with a newly conceived AMG Performance 4Matic four-wheel drive system, providing a more rearward biased delivery of power, and reworked suspension. Together they are claimed to provide the G63 with straight-line performance to out-accelerate the Range Rover Sport SVR, although not beat its top speed.
Power for the new G63 comes from AMG’s M178 engine, as used across the Mercedes-Benz performance car division’s range. The 4.0-litre V8 petrol unit, which sites its two twin-scroll turbochargers within its cylinder banks to provide compact packaging and optimal thermal properties, replaces the old twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 used by the old G63, the M157 as it is codenamed internally.
Power has risen by 14bhp to 577bhp at 6000rpm, while torque extends by 66lb ft to a stout 626lb ft between 2500 and 3500rpm.
The increased reserves are channelled through a nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT automatic gearbox and an AMG Performance 4Matic four-wheel drive system that now apportions drive in a 40:60 front-to-rear split instead of the 50:50 front-to-rear-split of the previous G63.
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No winch?
For such a tough off-roader, surely a winch should be standard fitting at that price. This will be a serious deterrent to many farmers, mountain rescue, overlanders etc.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Why don't you save yourselves a few bob, show a little more "class" and get the above, which is also quicker too.
Mercedes, you no longer stand for quality and class. You now stand for cheap and crass. Sorry, but your brand to me has been tarnished beyond reasonable repair. No longer do I think of your brand as a choice to waft around the French Riviera or Amalfi Coast, I see you parked in Tescos with your occupants in jogging bottoms and a hoodie sucking an e-cig.
I hate to be pedantic