Shown back in February in preparation for the Geneva Motor Show, the G63 rides on the same platform as the G500 that bowed a month prior in Detroit, but with increases in the overall length, wheelbase, height and width.
Underpinned by a new ladder-frame chassis and riding on 21-inch alloy wheels despite a ground clearance of 241mm, the G63 retains both the three locking differentials and low range transfer case of its predecessor, but boasts a new three-mode (Sand, Trail and Rock) off-road system and bespoke AMG touches as the three-mode (Comfort, Sport and Sport+) AMG Ride Control air suspension, AMG sport steering with two modes (Comfort and Sport) and the Dynamic Select drive mode selector with five settings; (Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
Differing from the G500 thanks to the AMG GT R styled Panamericana grille, multi-beam LED headlights, a unique front bumper, wider wheel arches, red brake calipers, updated rear bumper and optional 22-inch alloys, local models will also offer the aesthetically enhanced Edition 1 as an option, as well as the blacked-out AMG Night Package for an extra R300 000.
Up front, the G63 swaps the long-serving 5.5-litre bi-turbocharged V8 for the now widely used 4.0-litre twin-blown V8, which has been tuned to produce 430kW/850Nm. An uptake of 10kW/90Nm over its predecessor, the amount of twist is send to all four wheels via an AMG tweaked version of the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox with four modes (Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Manual). Top speed is limited to 220km/h or 240km/h with the optional AMG Driver's Package fitted, with the 0-100km/h sprint taking 4.5 seconds. Combined fuel consumption meanwhile is rated at 13.1-litres/100km.
Pricing starts at R2 613 643 and includes a six year/100 000km maintenance plan as standard, with sales set to commence from next month.
