2023 Mercedes-AMG G63 4×4 Squared: The Most Able Off-Roader You’ll Probably Never See On The Dirt
With a supercar price tag, don’t expect to spot this beefed up limited-run G-Class often, either on the pavement or off of it
Mercedes AMG division took a regular G Wagen and upped the ante in the most literal sense. The 2023 AMG G63 4×4 Squared is a factory-raised G Wagen with 13.8 inches of ground clearance. It’s a complicated car to understand. It’s an amalgamation of AMG performance and dynamics with extreme off-road capability.
Along with that, a Mercedes S-Class level of comfort and refinement. To bring this together in one package is a big accomplishment by its very nature. Something the engineers at Mercedes and AMG should be very proud of. The suggested retail price begins at $ 349,000.
Let’s Break Down Some Facts And Features Of The 2023 AMG G63 4×4 Squared
First, this is supposed to be a limited production model. Its manufacturing life will have been 2022, onward to 2023, and ending in 2024. Mercedes however, hasn’t said how many will be made. And for good reason. The G Wagen has always been a big success in the U.S. It’s the biggest market in the world for it. This particular model could sell more units than Mercedes originally anticipated. So they are not disclosing this information on purpose.
Different versions of G Wagens of the past sold well in the US. And Mercedes seems to be confident in this. They haven’t been allocating great efforts in marketing it. The configurator for it is not online, and even official performance numbers haven’t been disclosed yet. Still, Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, was quoted saying the 4.0-liter AMG V-8 in this G63 produces 567 horsepower. Coupled with a nine-speed transmission, that is enough to propel the G63 from 0-60 MPH in 5 seconds. Torque figures should be around 620 pound-feet.
And second, they didn’t simply raise the suspension on this SUV. This particular model AMG G63 4×4 Squared has portal axles. In a regular car, the axle is positioned at a height that coincides with the center of the wheels. For serious off-road vehicles such as this G63 and the likes of the original Hummer, there is a gear on the wheel that connects to the axle.
That axle is then raised so it does not touch things while driving off-road. It’s all about ground clearance. What’s great about this G63 though, is that Mercedes combined an independent front suspension from a regular G Wagen with this portal axle. This makes it so that the driving dynamics aren’t much different from the regular version, except for a bit more body roll on corners.
More on dynamics, the full-time driving mode is AWD with an RWD bias. 60 percent of the power goes to the rear wheels and 40 percent to the front by default. As conditions change, this distribution also will change. But in extreme off-road scenarios, the driver can add his input as well. The G63 4×4 Squared has three differentials (front, center, and rear). And each can be locked individually, so you can tackle the toughest off-road situations.
To help with that, the car sits on top of huge all-terrain Pirelli Scorpion tires sized 325/55 R22. Yes, that 22 stands for 22-inch wheels. These tires are so massive that the G63 4×4 Squared uses fender flares to cover them. What’s somewhat ironic though, is that these flares are made of carbon fiber.
So, these very expensive, very exposed carbon fibers side pieces, are going to be the first line of defense against side impacts that are common while off-road. But to be honest, Mercedes themselves know there isn’t much off-road driving going on with their G-class vehicles in the U.S. It’s more about what it can do than what its customers will actually do with it.
Mercedes came up with an interesting feature for this. It’s a rear camera that dubs as the rearview mirror. This camera is positioned inside the vehicle and offers a clear rear view for the driver looking in the mirror. In the video Above from Remove Before Race, you can compare its size to a regular person, and see other interesting things.
Would You Put Your $ 349,000 2023 Mercedes AMG G63 4×4 Squared Through This?
Yes, some units will do some off-road driving. Particularly those designed for the press and special test-driving events. But most will always be looking clean like this Cardinal Red Magno painted model above.
The G63 4×4 Squared also has some potentially useful options available should, you decide to venture into the wilderness. One such option is a big roof rap with a metal flat top that supports enough weight for you to set a tent up there.
With this option, the roof is accessible by a small ladder located in the back of the vehicle. A nice detail is that the steps are textured, so your feet will find a firm footing and not slip while climbing. Also, the rear bumper extension gains a small textured spot to serve as the first step before you climb the ladder. Such details are valuable. And AMG Mercedes seems to have thrown all of their experience and know-how into this model.
The Exclusive Nature Of The 2023 G63 4×4 Squared
With a price tag that’s higher than many supercars, Mercedes understands this is an exclusive model. This combination does seem to take care of its customers’ expectations well though. It is built on the tried and tested G Wagon chassis and has impressive performance numbers for what it is. And more, it has an interior build quality that resembles an S Class. It’s a classic, timeless design vehicle. But it has up-to-date technologies that helped bring it to life. It is… a lovely beast.
Article Credits: BRUNO MAIA
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