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25th of August 2009 | 08:12 GMT | Alex Oagana 
Unicorn Cars...
STORY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Cars that we could've had but we didn't
- Some of them are "the ones that got away"
... so I had a long talk about cars with one of my buddies the other day. As pretty much always, several topics spawned during the conversation but one of them kept reappearing no matter how hard we tried to change the subject. You see, this buddy of mine is a bit of a freak when talking about the Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse. Especially if the Geländewagen in question is gifted with two thunder-sounding exhaust pipes that are located under each of the rear doors and three little letters are embossed on almost every side of the car.
In other words, he's absolutely positively and undoubtedly in love with the G 55 AMG. I know what you guys are gonna say, "talk about expensive taste", right? Right. Well, I can't say that I blame him. As a matter of fact, the G-Wagen in AMG-guise is one of my favorite vehicles also. There's almost nothing subtle or efficient about this car, which kind of goes against most of my car-loving principles, but I simply adore it.
It's a vehicle synonymous with excess and antithetic qualities. The rigid front and rear axles, the three locking differentials, the supercharged eight-cylinder monster reigning under that flat hood, the box-on-wheels look and the sumptuous leather and Alcantara interior are good-enough reasons to justify any price it may carry. Meaning the G 55 doesn't come cheap, which kind of adds to the already stratospheric-high level of "special" in itself.
To many people, including myself, the Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG is pretty much the "instant classic" recipe. No marketing studies were conducted to create such a vehicle because nobody actually needed it. I know many people will disagree over this, but to me (and especially to my aforementioned buddy), the G 55 AMG is a car born out of passion, not for marketing reasons.
West Coast hip-hopers could have used the G 500 just fine, they didn't need over 500 horsepower to "keep them spinning" at the traffic light. Nor did the Russian oligarchs ever felt the need to handle so much power coming out of a four-wheeled cross-country brick. The AMG version simply happened, that's all. And I'm glad it did. I'm also glad it wasn't replaced by the GL-Klasse fullsize SUV, which was specifically created for fat rich 'mericans who didn't quite fit in the M-Klasse.
Anyway, I guess every car freak out there has his "the one that got away" car. And I'm not talking about million-dollar supercars that mostly hang on bedroom walls as childhood posters. No, I'm only talking about cars that you could've have had but for some reason or other it didn't actually happen. Your unicorn car.
After countless brainstorming minutes when writing this diatribe I kind of figured mine is a smart roadster-coupe equipped with a Hayabusa engine. What's your unicorn car?
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In other words, he's absolutely positively and undoubtedly in love with the G 55 AMG. I know what you guys are gonna say, "talk about expensive taste", right? Right. Well, I can't say that I blame him. As a matter of fact, the G-Wagen in AMG-guise is one of my favorite vehicles also. There's almost nothing subtle or efficient about this car, which kind of goes against most of my car-loving principles, but I simply adore it.
It's a vehicle synonymous with excess and antithetic qualities. The rigid front and rear axles, the three locking differentials, the supercharged eight-cylinder monster reigning under that flat hood, the box-on-wheels look and the sumptuous leather and Alcantara interior are good-enough reasons to justify any price it may carry. Meaning the G 55 doesn't come cheap, which kind of adds to the already stratospheric-high level of "special" in itself.
To many people, including myself, the Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG is pretty much the "instant classic" recipe. No marketing studies were conducted to create such a vehicle because nobody actually needed it. I know many people will disagree over this, but to me (and especially to my aforementioned buddy), the G 55 AMG is a car born out of passion, not for marketing reasons.
West Coast hip-hopers could have used the G 500 just fine, they didn't need over 500 horsepower to "keep them spinning" at the traffic light. Nor did the Russian oligarchs ever felt the need to handle so much power coming out of a four-wheeled cross-country brick. The AMG version simply happened, that's all. And I'm glad it did. I'm also glad it wasn't replaced by the GL-Klasse fullsize SUV, which was specifically created for fat rich 'mericans who didn't quite fit in the M-Klasse.
Anyway, I guess every car freak out there has his "the one that got away" car. And I'm not talking about million-dollar supercars that mostly hang on bedroom walls as childhood posters. No, I'm only talking about cars that you could've have had but for some reason or other it didn't actually happen. Your unicorn car.
After countless brainstorming minutes when writing this diatribe I kind of figured mine is a smart roadster-coupe equipped with a Hayabusa engine. What's your unicorn car?
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25.08.2009 | 19:17 GMT
I can understand passion, but this is pure theory.
On a straight line + the awesome sound... it rulz, but this car it's only for show-off.
You will never use it as a real off-roader (it costs too much) and the fuel economy... doesn't exists; so it's not really practical.
The car it's a brute, a nice brute ;)
Raw power, no brains...
G-Klass 55 AMG with an old gear box (5 speeds) and 500+ compressed hp...
My unicorn car? I'm having a big dilemma about this...
I have to think about it.
Maybe.. an X6 M Hybrid? I'm not sure.
31.08.2009 | 09:34 GMT
@ other friend
I think YOU will not use this car in off-road beacause, by comparison with the filthy riches, you're a poor SOAB. They don't mind take it for a spin in the mud or on some very rocky landscapes because they can afford to pay the bills for service and fuel. Thinking at straight lines and very clean roads when someone talk about G-Klasse AMG it's clearly the kind of judgement of a KIA-owner. And the G-Klasse is more smarter than you think, my friend, even it is based on a project from almost 40 years ago. What I can't quite get is this: how come you say that you understand passion, but your unicorn car is a X6 M... hybrid?!? Wtf dude - is like saying that you're a fan of Angelina Jolie, but you could only screw her if she were dressed like a 1950's school teacher and talk about good manners all trough the "process".
Anyway, enough about you - let's talk about unicorn cars. There's no doubt: I'll love any car "painted" with excess from head to toe. Something like an Excelero with an AMG-Pagani V12 twin-turbo or a Rolls-Royce Phantom Mansory with the monster V16 from the 100 EX Concept. And, of course, that Big Caddy Sixteen. Something that, for any normal logic, it will be utterly pointless, but, somehow, you cannot say no to it. Think about Angelina Jolie with a Sinead O'Connor haircut, and you'll be close.
04.09.2009 | 12:59 GMT
@ other friend
The G-wagen for show-off? I have extreme doubts! It is a shrunken version of the Mercedes Unimog of 40 odd years ago (you can go read about that one). Tamer versions, including diesels sold elsewhere in the world handle off-road with ease....even when asleep!! I live across the pond, in Africa, and would gladly settle for a 4litre diesel version of it to take me to those 'inaccessible' parts. It should come with skid plates, bull bars, snorkel etc! Priorities though, have changed...this should be my unicorn car!