Full-size SUVs are a powerful bunch, and the Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG tops them all with its almost-criminal turbocharged V12. Never before has so much raw performance been packed into a vehicle that's designed to traverse the wildness.
What's New for 2016
The G65 AMG is a new addition to the existing G-Class line for the American market.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG
At the heart of the G65 AMG lies a behemoth 6-liter turbocharged V12 engine. With 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque at its disposal, the big rig scoots from zero to 60 mph in about 5 seconds, an improbable time for any 5,600-pound vehicle. Shifting is done by a specially tuned seven-speed automatic, dubbed AMG Speedshift, which comes with an electronic shifter. As expected, the G65 AMG benefits from full-time four-wheel drive with low-range gearing, plus three locking differentials. Rounding out the functional upgrades are high-performance brakes, oversized front air intakes, and 20-inch AMG wheels.
All examples are equipped with luxuries like heated and ventilated front seats with memory, a Harman Kardon surround-sound system, hard drive-based navigation, and an automated parking system. Safety technology is present in full force, including emergency brake assist, active lane keeping assist, collision mitigation, and adaptive cruise control.
Even with virtually every indulgence standard, there is some room from customization. The available “designo” interior package adds Nappa leather seats and trim in a range of colors and your choice of exotic wood accents. With the designo pallet in hand, you can put together combinations of hue and textures smashing enough to induce salivation. Carbon fiber interior trim and a heated or wood-trimmed steering wheel are available as standalone options. We're particularly awed by the AMG Performance Studio package (not cheap at $20,000), which combines gloss black exterior trim with some of the most striking colors ever applied to a vehicle body, like Alien Green and Galactic Beam.
The G63 AMG combines ruggedness, luxury and performance like no other SUV on the planet. If you must have all those virtues to an uncompromising degree, we can't think of a more appropriate choice.