Mercedes-AMG G63 is Miles Ahead of its Competition in Every Way
A significant redesign has made the newest Mercedes-AMG G63 an even more charming high-performance SUV. AMG G63 is the rock crawler that embarrasses the best off-roaders with ease
True old school, renewed
After more than four decades, Mercedes-Benz has finally gotten around to changing the design of its legendary G-Class. The absolute last word in true ladder-frame chassis off-road ability, G-Class has been the charmingly old-school alternative in a sea of monocoque SUVs.
The second-generation G-Class looks mighty similar to its predecessor, and that was the intention – with Mercedes careful not to alter the vehicle’s charming two-box styling. Underneath, there are a host of engineering upgrades, delivering a driving experience which would be unimaginable to first-generation G-Class owners.
Smaller heart, bigger lungs
Steering and suspension have been completely reconfigured, with a rack-and-pinion system replacing the old recirculating ball set-up. The most pronounced change, though, is around G-Class’s front axle, where the wheels are now independently suspended – instead of trailing off a live axle.
The latest G63 might be powered by the smallest engine ever fitted to an AMG G-Class, but it is also the most powerful. Swept capacity is only 4-liters, but the V8 features twin turbos and produces 585hp. Mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, that means relentless acceleration.
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World's Fastest Rock Crawler
The permanent four-wheel system is configured into a default of 40:60 torque split, with a slight rear-axle bias. Acceleration is startling for something of the G63’s size and appearance, with 0-60mph possible in only 4.4 seconds. Top speed is 149mph, which is quite ridiculous for something with a nearly 90-degree front windscreen.
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Analogue G-Class goes digital without losing a handle on tradition
The modernization of G63 is perhaps best illustrated inside, where there is a raft of digitization. The driver is served information courtesy of a widescreen digital display, with two 12.3-inch digital screens relaying instrumentation functions and infotainment.
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Thoughtful Design
Clever packaging has addressed one of the previous G63’s weaknesses, which was a rather tight cabin. The new G63 has 1.5-inches more legroom in the front, augmented by 2.6-inches more shoulder room.
AMG and Mercedes engineers have managed to keep certain G-Class design details from the original Geländenwagen, such as the grab handles – an ode to its origins as a military grade off-roader.
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These chromed pipes are not a sideshow
Once a common design feature of most muscle cars, you hardly ever see side exit exhausts anymore. But the G63 has them. And they are not merely for show.
The four exhaust pipes, two exiting from each side just before the rear wheels, endow the latest AMG Geländenwagen with a booming soundtrack. There is an exhaust adjustment switch on the center console, and if you opt for the more active setting, be prepared to trigger car alarms in a mall parking lot.
AMG cars are renowned for their sound and with its active exhaust flaps running full open, the new G63 makes a noise which is commensurate to its substantial presence and overwhelming performance.
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Sportscar heart, but loves the dirt
The new G63 AMG might have a sophisticated biturbo V8 engine and enough performance potential to embarrass most sportscars, but all that legendary Geländenwagen off-road ability remains in place.
The wheels are huge 22-inchers, shod with low-profile Goodyear F1 rubber. So yes. Not much is available in the way of deflation for aiding traction off-road. But the fundamental chassis toughness and incredible traction offered by three differential locks make the latest G63 more capable off-road than any other high-performance SUV.
With its huge reserves of power and nine gears, including the option of using the transfer case to engage low-range, the G63 should prove especially adept at scaling huge sand dunes. It might have a terrible aerodynamic rating, but this AMG ranks particularly high in the fun stakes.
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