Returning with the revered 4.0-litre turbocharged V8, Mercedes-AMG has given the W465 generation G 63 a once-over with a dose of some mild hybrid technology and AMG wizardry. Alex Shahini had the keys to the most visceral Geländewagen yet, as well as the all-electric G580 during the local launch in Pretoria.
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Mercedes-AMG G 63 Fast Facts
- Price: R4 415 916
- Powertrain: 4.0-litre, turbocharged V8
- Transmission: 9-speed DCT
- Driven wheels: All
- Power: 445 kW
- Torque: 850 N.m (200 N.m electrical boost available)
- 0-100 km/h: 4.4 seconds*
- Top speed: 220 km/h* (optional 240 km/h)
- Fuel consumption: 14.7 L/100 km*
- CO2 emissions: 350 g/km*
*Claimed figures
What are we driving?
An old-fashioned V8 brute with a sprinkle of modern technology – the G 63 is a reminder of the powertrain demonology that Mercedes-AMG has built its reputation around…
While many aspiring tenderpreneurs would mount a poster of the G 63 on the bedroom wall as the ultimate aspiration of brute power and garish material wealth, only to be condemned to the cityscapes of South Africa’s business hubs, Mercedes-Benz South Africa was keen to show that it isn’t just a pavement poser. Add a little bit of 48-volt mild-hybrid electrification to the tune of 15 kW and 200 N.m to the already mind-boggling numbers, and the barn-shaped SUV can hurtle itself to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. Want more than the 48-volt technology and Mercedes-Benz has the all-electric G580 on offer too.
Related: Review: Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology
All of those numbers aside, the rolling contradiction that can be succinctly described as a refined brute has long served as the pinnacle in the G-Class lineup. Regardless of whichever high profile shopping district the low profiles might find themselves parked outside of, the G 63 has retained the inherent mechanical DNA of its G-Wagen antecedent that ruled mountains and helped armies conquer. It is still built atop a ladder-frame chassis, and boasts three locking differentials but has the interior finished in swaths of leather, carbon fibre and the latest MBUX. To many, it might not look like much has changed from that first Austrian-built model from 1979, and to an extent, it can still offer the same levels of capability, but the reality is that its tall stature and left-field silhouette in a sea of similarly styled SUVs will forever keep it an icon now reserved for the wealthy.
Why is the Mercedes-AMG G 63 significant?
This is of course not what the Geländewagen or “cross-country vehicle” was originally intended for. Considering it has been around since the 1970s, born from a request from the Shah of Iran, it has since collected many accolades and reaffirmed itself as a dependable and durable mobility solution to military powers across the world. With this fervour and reputation, Mercedes decided to debut a model for civilian use in 1979. Its first two decades of life continued to see it as a utilitarian workhorse and served not only militaries and emergency personnel but also spawned interest in off-road adventurers.
The turn of the century is when the model began to pivot into the affluent statement piece we know and are experiencing today. Mercedes began adding luxury trimmings in this era and by the 2010s, the G-Class had become a symbol of ultimate status. Since then, the recipe has been tweaked and refined, polishing the once-utilitarian SUV with modern technology and suspension but never veering too far away from that now iconic styling and silhouette.
Looking to the future, the all-new W465 generation G 63 comes at an unprecedented time in history. Diesels are dying, internal combustion as it is known is being strangled to a shallow existence and electrification has taken the fore for many European manufacturers. All of this said, the G-Class lineup will still be offering an iteration with each power source but the traditionalists wanting an ostentatious and unrivalled product can opt for the G 63. Similarly priced, the V8-equipped iteration will now also have an all-electric stablemate that boasts some party tricks that it simply can’t emulate but the appeal of the shouty powertrain may still be its trump card for showmen.
What is new on the Mercedes-AMG G 63?
Despite being hard to distinguish from its predecessors, Mercedes-Benz has given the G 63 a comprehensive overhaul which aligns it closer with the rest of the German automaker’s lineup.
“The G-Class is an iconic vehicle, and the Mercedes-AMG G 63 has been its top model for years. This success drives us to enhance performance even further, both on and off-road. With upgrades to the V8 engine and a new AMG suspension for improved agility, dynamics, and comfort, the new G 63 is more AMG than ever.” – Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
Chief of the updates is the introduction of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system paired to its iconic 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. The sonorous lump alone delivers 430 kW and 850 Nm but that added electrification gives it an extra 15 kW and 200 N.m boost available briefly via an integrated starter-generator (ISG). Equipped with the aerodynamic drag coefficient of a brick and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 14.7 L/100 km, the Boost Recuperation Machine (BRM) aids with regenerative braking which helps to harvest energy during deceleration thus improving fuel efficiency.
It is unlikely that those browsing for the G 63 will be concerned with fuel efficiency, instead its broader appeal may lie in its performance and flashiness. Despite its tall stature and 2.5-tonne mass, it can still complete the obligatory 0-100km/h sprint in 4.4 seconds (or 4.3 seconds with the AMG Performance Package). Major handling improvements come from the new AMG Active Ride Control suspension system, which replaces traditional roll bars with active hydraulics. There are also new off-road modes and luxury upgrades that include MBUX displays, an AMG steering wheel and optional massage seats and carbon fibre trim. The exterior is distinguishable by way of the twin exhaust tips in front of the rear wheel on each side as well as the AMG-specific front bumper, LED lighting and optional Manufaktur Hyper Blue Magno paint. In comparison to its electric G580 counterpart, it also retains its tailgate-mounted spare wheel as opposed to a storage space for the charging cable.
How much does the Mercedes-AMG G 63 cost?
During the event, Mercedes-Benz South Africa unveiled the pricing on the tested lineup which also included the all-electric G580. Yet to be added is the diesel-powered G450d.
- Mercedes-Benz G450d AMG – R 3 590 303
- Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology – R3 823 457
- Mercedes-AMG G 63 AMG – R4 415 916
- Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology Edition One – R4 647 456
The total price is inclusive of VAT and CO₂ Tax. It also includes the 5-year/100 000 km PremiumDrive Comfort Care Service and Maintenance Plan.
What are the Mercedes-AMG G 63’s rivals?
Playing in the rarefied league of luxury performance SUVs, the AMG G 63 may still be the most iconic of the lot. Both Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin, and Range Rover SV employ V8 powertrains and can be had for similar money but more adventure-focused buyers may also include the Jeep Wrangler (only equipped with a four-cylinder) or Land Rover Defenders in their search and save a king’s ransom.
What is the Mercedes-AMG G 63 like to drive?
The day kicked off with an off-road section where the silent G580 demonstrated technology like its G-Turn (similar to a tank turn) and G-Steering which locks an inside wheel to help navigate sharp corners. The admittedly impressive off-roading technology kicked the debate off as to whether South African buyers would ever make use of these features like they were intended. The answer was a resounding “unlikely” and that then posed the question of what the sales split between the similarly priced models would be…
Related: Diesel Mercedes-Benz G450d AMG Lands in SA – Pricing & Specs
Prior to our route, we speculated that the majority of orders would be for the sonorous G 63. Worth adding at this point that the drive included no off-roading sections but instead open stretches of highway that allowed the 4.0-litre V8 to sing its symphony. This is likely the reality of services the G 63 would offer its prospective buyers and it does so with aplomb. The same recipe that reserved a spot for the V8 model in the annals of legendary automotive contradictions has simply been refined further. Modern technology and crisp camera quality make manoeuvring the model around (the likely) flashy parking lots of Sandton shopping centres a breeze and the AMG Active Ride Control makes it feel more consummate over rutted sections despite the low profile tyres.
The inclusion of stricter emissions has the welcome addition of hybrid technology which provides a slight reprieve for spent energy during braking regeneration but it still feels too insignificant on the heft, particularly when the upshifting and downshifting of the sonorous V8 provides so much audible entertainment and spirited drives place the consumption meter in the late 20 litres/100 km.
Verdict
Exactly as would be expected, the recipe hasn’t changed and while the driving experience may have been refined even further with the latest technology available to Mercedes-AMG, the trump card of the G 63 remains its authoritative V8, which garners attention from all other road users, pedestrians and motorists. Perhaps the last of its kind to be fitted to a G-Class generation as we know it, this is enough to justify the purchase against its rivals for any self-indulged buyer that wants the flash to match the sound…
As pleasant as the old fashioned ICE was, I can’t help but agree with Gareth Dean’s verdict of the all-electric G580. In the case of the G-Class, the EV route certainly doesn’t compromise on character or purposefulness and may even compel some buyers not intent on the shouty character of the V8, but for the remaining majority, a cheque with a figure just under R4.5 million is all it will take.
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