When Mercedes-Benz last revisited its G Wagon, the line-up was gifted with a behemoth that stunned everybody thanks to the mechanical monster under its hood and we’re talking about the V12-gifted G65 AMG here. While the rest of the world has been treated with the 604 hp G65 AMG since 2012, the vehicle didn’t make it to the US. Apparently, this is about to change.
Mercedes-Benz will treat American customers with the G65 AMG as a 2016 model year, as Automotive News writes. While we’re glad the flagship* Gelandewagen will be marching on US asphalt, there are a few things to be discussed here.
First of all, the car wasn’t all that missed. With the exception of the exclusivity factor and the sheer numbers, the V8-powered G63 AMG is superior to the G65. This may be a military machine converted for civilian pleasures, but the V12 engine does upset its balance compared to the V8.
Then there’s the pricing. While the G63 AMG comes with a MSRP of $135,700, the V12 muscle will bump the price to about $250,000.
Of course, for collectors, neither the price, not the overall balance of the car matter as much as the sheer shine of the twin-turbo V12 model. By the way, this is the engine Americans, albeit in very limited numbers, have been able to enjoy on models such as the SL65 AMG and the S65 AMG. When mounted inside the G-Class, the mill churns out 604 hp and 738 lb-ft. And yes, it still comes with three diffs that can be manually locked.
*Some offer the “flagship” title to the G63 AMG 6x6 and the sheer fact that the G63, not the G65, was used for the multi-wheeled adventure, says a lot.
First of all, the car wasn’t all that missed. With the exception of the exclusivity factor and the sheer numbers, the V8-powered G63 AMG is superior to the G65. This may be a military machine converted for civilian pleasures, but the V12 engine does upset its balance compared to the V8.
Then there’s the pricing. While the G63 AMG comes with a MSRP of $135,700, the V12 muscle will bump the price to about $250,000.
Of course, for collectors, neither the price, not the overall balance of the car matter as much as the sheer shine of the twin-turbo V12 model. By the way, this is the engine Americans, albeit in very limited numbers, have been able to enjoy on models such as the SL65 AMG and the S65 AMG. When mounted inside the G-Class, the mill churns out 604 hp and 738 lb-ft. And yes, it still comes with three diffs that can be manually locked.
*Some offer the “flagship” title to the G63 AMG 6x6 and the sheer fact that the G63, not the G65, was used for the multi-wheeled adventure, says a lot.