Jekyll and Hyde

stealth paint aside, these two are poles apart, despite being pricey new Mercs with powerful engines. And that’s an insight into what you need to drive in order to stand out from the crowd these days, if that’s what you want to do.

In 20 years of doing this for a living, I’ve driven no other car that commands attention quite like the G63 does. The perpendicularity of its body gives it presence like little else, and the rumble of its V8 (4.0 litres, twin turbos, 577bhp…) means it couldn’t possibly be a shrinking violet. And absolutely everyone I know who likes cars really loved this one.

As for those who don’t, well… Not all the attention it received was welcome. Never have I seen so many rolled eyes and raised eyebrows, as though fellow roadusers and pedestrians (especially when I was on country lanes – come on, it’s a G-wagen!) felt I was there simply to kill things. And in the case of one dim-witted neighbour, who turned up with deeds in hand to complain about where I’d parked, I very nearly was.

It’s hardly a car to mollify your driving style. Use that grunt and the dash display will reward you with its 13mpg read-out, so driving this 2.7-tonne beast will give those with even a passing interest in environmentalism a dose of green guilt. If you can live with that, all you need is a thick skin. The G63 is huge fun, huge in every respect, and Mercedes will have no trouble selling every example it builds.

I always thought the original 2005-on CLS was a car in which to command attention, especially in Darth Vader-spec AMG trim. Tellingly, Mercedes has denied the latest version a V8, thus allowing headroom for the AMG GT 4-Door Octane tested in the last issue. So this is the range-topper, with a proper German-saloon-car engine too: it’s a 3.0-litre straightsix. For that fact alone, I’m in love before I even open a door.

Of course, being a stealth-spec AMG it packs two turbos, and there’s clever 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical assistance too. Like Formula 1’s KERS. Its peak output of 429bhp makes no headlines these days, but 0-62mph in 4.5sec for a two-tonne four-seater gives you some measure of its ability.

It bimbles brilliantly: suave, torquey, with a perfect driving position and ergonomics in an interior as stylish as the bodywork is demure. I got it to average 34mpg on a brisk motorway trip – then unleashed Hyde on some winding roads, enjoying urge, grip and balance that commanded my attention. And sod everyone else.