Feel the G-force

– considering that this is a car that tips the scales at a hefty 2.5 tonnes, that kind of performance is little short of bending the laws of physics to breaking point.

Well, it would be, but with emissions of 299g/km and an official average fuel economy of 21.4mpg, the reality is that matching those figures in the real world is a very different matter indeed.

Much of the reason for struggling to match those numbers is down to the G-Class’s sheer ability to paint a huge smile across your face.

Something this big and this heavy simply feels very odd when matched to this kind of performance.

The huge intake noise from that V8

LOGBOOK LOWDOWN Price: Engine:

£143,305 Turbo-petrol – 4.0-litre

0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds, 137mph top speed

Power: Average fuel economy: CO2 emissions: Rivals: Rating:

21.4mpg 299g/km 8/10 engine combined with rapid response to any inputs from your right foot on the throttle pedal never ceases to be laughter-inducing.

Thankfully, the steering system has been updated on the G’s predecessors too and while it’s by no means perfect, it’s a world away from the appallingly vague system that went before.

That enjoyment comes at a price though. We averaged just 14.4mpg during our time with the car, so deep pockets are obligatory for ownership.

The reality is, of course, that while it’s still perfectly possible to drive this G63 with a good degree of vigour, its sheer dimensions and the height of your