New super-SUV that seems old
three locking differentials.
Maybe not as tough in G 63 Edition 1 guise, with those ultralow-profile tyres and precious 22-inch alloys – but there is a more functional diesel-powered G 350 on the way to New Zealand.
And don’t forget the G has traditionally been the base for all manner of hard-core commercial and military machines.
It’s tempting to say the G 63 is highly unlikely to do any extreme off-tarmac work, but if you visited some sand dunes in the Middle East you might find that’s not quite correct.
Any other cars I should consider?
In reality, all of them because you can’t buy a G 63 right now. It’s sold out until 2020. That aside, there’s still nothing quite like the G 63 in terms of old-school status and sheer character.
But the $270k Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic, with 22-inch wheels and the monster supercharged V8 engine, has a similar mix of heritage, outrageous grunt and off-road ability. It’s not as amusing though.
Mercedes-AMG’s own GLS 63 Mercedes-AMG G 63 EDITION 1 Base price: $283,400. Powertrain and performance: 4.0-litre biturbo-petrol V8, 430kW/ 850Nm, 9-speed automatic, AWD, Combined economy not important (also not yet available). Vital statistics: 4725mm long, 1969mm high, 2890mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 480 litres, 22-inch alloy wheels with 295/40 tyres. We like: Rational arguments are irrelevant: it’s pretty much the best thing ever. We don’t like: Smaller SUVs (that’s most of them) getting in the way. seven-seater is in the frame due to its sheer size, although it’s actually quite refined and grown-up.
We would include the smaller GLE 63 in here too, but there’s an all-new model coming soon so hold off on that.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has a similarly wild side and it’s almost $100k cheaper. BMW’s X5 M has always been a rorty thing too – but again, there’s a new one on the way.