What's all this about?
One of the most terrifying and yet charismatic machines we've ever driven was the old Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG. Powered by a 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, but sitting on the G's antiquated underpinnings that stemmed from the 1970s, and all controlled by some of the slowest, feel-free steering ever fitted to a production car, it was petrifying and hilarious all at the same time. Well, now we've got a new Mercedes-AMG G 63. But this one promises to be a whole lot more serious.
What do you mean?
The all-new G-Class has already been revealed and it has a stiffer body, modern suspension tech and the promise of more civilised behaviour. Oh, and better steering, natch, although nothing could be worse than the old G's set-up - Land Rover Defender included. Thus, the G-Class is better equipped to accept a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine, courtesy of the AMG team at Affalterbach.
Ah, so it's down on power compared to the old G 63?
Erm, no, it develops more grunt than its predecessor. This 4.0 V8 is now seeing service in almost every AMG bar the A-Class models (which use the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder motor) and a handful of 6.0-litre V12 variants, and it's a corking unit. Here, it churns out a massive 585hp at 6,000rpm, with a positively goliath 850Nm to back that up - all available from 2,500- to 3,500rpm. Sending this thump to all corners of the SUV via 4Matic AWD and a nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT transmission, the performance is electrifying - 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds is truly remarkable, considering the G 63 weighs in at around 2,500kg. Its blocky, un-aerodynamic body means top speed is limited to 137mph, with the option to hike that to 149mph with the AMG Driver's Package, while fuel economy is predictably tragic - it's quoted at 21.4mpg at the absolute best, with 299g/km of CO2 emissions, and this is despite the fact the engine can shut off half of its eight cylinders on light throttle loads in order to, ahem, save some fuel. Yes.
But does the G 63 handle well?
AMG reckons so, as it has AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping, so the big body - that's 55 per cent stiffer in torsion than its predecessor, at 10,162Nm per degree - should be better kept in check. And it still totes all the regular G's impressive array of off-road reduction gears and ground clearance and locking diffs and so on, meaning the Mercedes-AMG should be a capable mud-plugger.
What about the looks and interior?
Usual AMG fare, although this is not a bad thing. There are bespoke bumpers, an AMG grille and front airdam, whopping alloys of up to 22 inches in diameter, plenty of 'V8 Biturbo' badges... oh, and rather wickedly, a side-exit exhaust.
Really?!
Yeah, look at the pictures! Naturally, the company says the G 63 will have the 'typical AMG V8 noise', for which read 'tremendous racket'. Aside from that, there are full LED lights with the option to upgrade to Multibeam LEDs with Adaptive High-Beam Assist Plus, while inside is a larger passenger cabin - for more comfort - with an AMG Performance Nappa leather steering wheel that features touch-sensitive infotainment control pads and the buttons for the cruise control/Distronic active cruise, and the opportunity to spec up the fully digital Widescreen Cockpit with virtual instrumentation. This is a feature drawn from the E- and S-Class siblings, and it sees two 12.3-inch TFT displays presented behind a single glass cover.
Anything else?
The Mercedes-AMG G 63 will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March, before order books open later that month ahead of market launch in June 2018. Prices and specs for the UK are yet to be announced. So, let's leave the final word(s) to Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG, who said: "The new AMG G 63 brings driving performance to the segment of unadulterated off-road vehicles in unexpected form. It was important for us to tie in with the original character on account of the cult status the G 63 enjoys with our customers and fans. The vehicle has nevertheless reached a completely new dimension in terms of technology with the 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine as well as in combination with the off-road characteristics, the agility and the vehicle dynamics achieved. This applies to the entire G Class model series. Mercedes-AMG is responsible for their suspension and chassis development as well as V8 competence."
Matt Robinson - 13 Feb 2018