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December 5, 2014
The Six-Wheeled G-Class Arrives | Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6
A Six-Wheel Drive Super Off-Roader Appears for the G63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz has announced a massive, three-axle, six-wheel-drive G-Class based on the "G63 AMG." Currently, only two of these special G-Classes have been produced, and they have been given the model name "G63 AMG 6x6."
Text by OTSUKI Takuma (OPENERS)
The Ultimate Cross-Country Beagle
G63 AMGBased on the "G63 AMG," a pickup truck-like body has been added to the rear. Furthermore, the "G63 AMG 6x6," which has undergone a major modification to become a six-wheel-drive vehicle, boasts an imposing presence with dimensions of 5,870mm (length) x 2,100mm (width) x 2,300mm (height) and a curb weight of 3,850kg.
The engine is the same 5.5-liter V8 twin-turbo engine as the G63 AMG, with a maximum output of 400kW (544ps) at 5,500rpm and a maximum torque of 760Nm between 2,000-5,000rpm. This is paired with
the "AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-TRONIC," which has seven forward and two reverse gears.
Unlike the base vehicle, the suspension features independent suspension. The front suspension is adapted from the military G-Class, and the shock absorbers are Öhlins gas-pressure shock absorbers, proven in rallies.
The ground clearance is 460mm, more than double that of the "G500" at 210mm. The maximum wading depth reaches 1,000mm. This is due to the adoption of a special "portal axle" drive system.
A portal axle differs from a conventional "normal axle," where the wheel hub and drive shaft are aligned in a straight line. Instead, it incorporates a "reduction hub" with a gearbox inside the wheel, and the drive shaft connects above the center of the hub.
However, portal axles have drawbacks, including increased axle weight and a more complex mechanism compared to normal axles. They also impose restrictions on brake size and type, making them extremely rare in standard production vehicles. They are primarily used in specialized vehicles and military vehicles designed for off-road use.
The tires fitted are size 37x12.50R18LT. This means "a radial tire with an outer diameter of 37 inches and a width of 317.5mm, mounted on an 18-inch rim." If we were to force this into a more common tire size notation, it would be approximately 318/66R18. This illustrates just how massive these tires are.
The wheel wells, covered by massive carbon fiber fender flares, house a total air tank capacity of 420 liters. Tire pressure can be adjusted freely from the cabin using a pressure gauge. The tires and wheels are specially designed for this purpose, allowing for operation at tire pressures so low that the tire would normally detach from the rim. While many tires have a lower limit of around 1 bar, the G63 AMG 6x6 can reduce pressure to approximately 0.5 bar.
Furthermore, this adjustment can be made very rapidly. While similar systems typically take about 10 minutes, the G63 AMG 6x6 completes the process in around 20 seconds.
This is a benefit of the aforementioned portal axle system. Because the center of the wheel, where the axle is normally connected, is unobstructed, a pipe for pressure adjustment can be directly connected to this central point, enabling rapid tire pressure adjustments.
As an off-roader with a strong adventurous spirit, designed for traversing deserts, its cruising range is extended by a 63-liter sub-tank in addition to the original 96-liter fuel tank, allowing for a total fuel capacity of 159 liters.
Hot Sands Outside, Premium Space Within
Despite being such a thoroughly developed cross-country off-roader, it is, as expected of an AMG model, luxurious inside. While the exterior is Spartan, the interior features leather on the dashboard, seats, and steering wheel, Alcantara on the headliner and pillars, and diamond-pattern quilting on the seats, creating a lavish environment.
The rear seats are not the original three-person bench seat but two individual leather bucket seats with a center console. The seating position is shifted rearward compared to the base vehicle, providing more ample space.
The G-Class has been in continuous production for 34 years since its debut in 1979. The "G63 AMG 6x6" was created based on the G63 AMG, a special model within the G-Class lineup. Currently, only two units exist, in silver and white body colors, both manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz headquarters plant in Stuttgart, Germany.
While it is currently a highly bespoke special model, there are rumors that Mercedes-Benz is preparing for limited series production. The price is unknown, but we look forward to the arrival of an off-roader with exceptional off-road capability and striking visual impact.
