Click to see the contenders: Audi RS Q3 | Audi SQ5 | BMW X5 M | Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT | Lexus NX200t F-Sport | Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG | Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG |
Check out the test summary here (click). Find the drag results here (click). The final verdict is here (click).
Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
Picture the scene: take one 1971 Toyota Land Cruiser. Add plenty of expensive leather to the interior, throw in a fancy infotainment system and maybe some seat coolers (because seat warmers are so last year). Next, find a P51 Mustang fighter plane (from the Second World War) and extract its 1500 horsepower Merlin V12 engine, and shoehorn it into the Cruiser’s engine bay.
This is basically what AMG did with the Merc G63: The G-Wagon base is a hardcore 4×4 with solid axles and three lockers and a design that basically dates back to the seventies. But there’s a modern, twin-turbocharged V8 engine under the bonnet that delivers a seemingly stupid 400 kW of power. That’s 540 horsepower!
The mention of the Mustang was not coincidental. With its AMG sports exhaust, this G63 sounds angry, upset and… brilliant. With the 5,5-litre V8 spitting fire and growling and screaming, the two turbos hissing and tjirping, the G63 is best driven with the windows open so you can take it all in.
And is it fast! With a 0-100km/h time of less than six seconds, in-gear acceleration that will warp your mind, and a top speed limited to 210 km/h (thankfully), the G63 is the one SUV in this line-up that makes absolutely no practical sense. And there is also the small matter of price… R2,1-million is no small change!
Yet it represents a beautiful, intoxicating blend of nonsensical automotive pleasure that words can hardly describe.
Would the 2,5-ton G63 be able to combine its 400 kW of raw, beautiful power with sufficient handling and braking ability to impress our drivers?
Vital stats – Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
Engine: Twin-turbo V8
Power: 400 kW @ 5500r/min
Torque: 760 Nm @ 2000r/min
Gearbox: Seven-speed auto
Tare weight: 2550kg
Power to weight ratio: 0,15 kW/kg
Drivetrain: Permanent 4WD, low range, 3 lockers
Electronic aids: Traction/stability control
Price: R2 131 625
Monthly instalments (approx): R43 667