MT Explains Why Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 Trumps its 4x4 Sibling

You must really live perched atop a mountain, or at the bottom of some remote, inaccessible valley in order to even begin to try and justify paying close to $700,000 for a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6; even once you think you need it, it’s still ridiculous.

But it’s here, and it’s not some suburb shed hack-job, being a fully-fledged different AMG model in its own right, and probably the most capable off-roader you could buy at any price, as MotorTrend’s Jonny Lieberman found out, when he recently pitted the six-wheeler against the normal G63.

It all went down in Graz, Austria, less than a stone’s throw away from the Steyr factory that has been assembling the Geländewagen since 1979, on both purpose-built off-road proving grounds and natural ones.

Naturally, the 6x6 cruised up all obstacles with ease, and while the four-wheeled variant is practically just as capable, the bigger vehicles extra traction advantage, extra ground clearance and extra kudos for taking massive jumps in its stride (literally) nudged the polls in its favor.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Brabus Surprises Dubai Police with B63S-700 Widestar

Brabus has dressed the B63S-700 Widestar in police livery for the Dubai International Motor Show 2013, with the project being part of the "Tune It! Safe!" project that has been promoting safe, responsible tuning in Germany since 2005.

The specially equipped Brabus B63S-700 Widestar that's based on the Mercedes G63 AMG will be given to the Dubai Police department.

The Brabus B63S-700 6x6 may have been more spectacular for the job, but the German aftermarket specialist chose the standard B63S Widestar. With 700 PS (690hp) produced by the 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine, the Brabus police car will surely be able to keep up with the supercars that are present on the Emirate’s roads. It can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph).

The unusual police vehicle features 23-inch Brabus Platinum Edition monoblock forged wheels and the Brabus Dynamic Ride Control suspension with two settings (comfortable and sporty). It also sports the traditional green and white livery of the Dubai Police and signalling lights, as well as a series of tuning parts.

The Widestar package includes fender flares including door add-ons and LED side step illumination, while the front spoiler has underbody protection and LED daytime running lights. There’s also a Brabus roof spoiler including an additional brake light, entrance panels with illuminated Brabus logo for all 5 doors. Details include the Brabus door lock pins and aluminum pedal pads, as well as the black Brabus floor mats with leather edging. 

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes-Benz Rumored to be Readying Monstrous G65 AMG Limited Edition with 612HP V12

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagen, started its life towards the end of the 1970s as a rugged off-roader featuring a body-on-frame construction and three fully locking differentials, one. And even though the base models continue the same formula today, somewhere down the line, a crazy AMG engineer had a eureka moment and threw in a powerful engine under the hood transforming the boxy 4x4 into a 3.5-tonne weapon capable of humiliating sports car in a straight line duel.
Today, the most potent G-Class model is the G55 AMG fitted with a supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine developing 507-horses and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of peak torque for a 0-100km/h (62mph) in just 5.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 210 km/h. But that may soon change if we are to believe a report from Dutch website Autoblog.nl on a new range topping G-Class model with the G65 AMG moniker.

Mercedes-Benz Sends Off G-Class SWB with Special Edition Version

It won’t be long before Mercedes stops production of the short wheelbase version (SWB) of its iconic G-Class series, but before that happens, the German company is launching a limited production model, fittingly called the “BA3 Final Edition” as a last hurrah. It is joined by a special version of the long-wheelbase model (LWB) called the “Edition Select”, based on the G500.

Brabus 800 Widestar is an 800HP Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Following in the footsteps of the 700HP Brabus G V12 S, Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has unleashed the 800 Widestar, an extreme version of the G-Class off-roader.
The 800 Widestar is equipped with an V12 engine sourced from the Mercedes-Benz S600, but with extensive upgrades such as the increase in displacement from 5.4 to 6.3-liters, the addition of a new intake system, new engine mapping and the complex Brabus bi-turbo system featuring four water-to-air intercoolers. Additionally, the V12 is fitted with a custom stainless-steel exhaust-system.

Saudi Arabia King Greenlights Gazal 1 for Production

Remember the Saudi Arabian SUV concept called the 'Gazal 1' from this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show in March? Well, it's officially going into production. The announcement was made by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah himself during a special ceremony earlier this week.

The original Gazal 1 concept study was created by the students of Saud University in Riyadh with some help from Magna Steyr and Studiotorino. Despite the deign similarities with Toyota's FJ Cruiser, the Gazal 1 is actually based on the underpinnings of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and is powered by a V8 engine.