Skip to main content

Goodbye, you beautiful 6-wheeled behemoth: Mercedes-Benz ends G 63 6×6 AMG production

mercedes ends production of the g 63 6x6 amg benz g63
Image used with permission by copyright holder
It’s easy to understate the versatility of the Mercedes-Benz G-wagen, particularly in light of its many incarnations conceived over the years. Its latest iteration, the G63 AMG 6×6, has been by far the ludicrous and monstrous example of the car ever. Now, after debuting in 2013, the ultimate G-Wagen ends its limited production run.

The luxury beast takes the front drive system of the G 63 AMG and mates it with a rear twin drive system sourced from an existing, military grade 6×6 G-Wagen in use by the Australian army. Powered by an AMG biturbo 5.5-liter V8, the civilian 6×6 produces 544 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. This drives six 37-inch wheels through just about any terrain a driver can throw at it with ease.

Mercedes Benz G63 6x6 AMG
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Just because it’s packed with five differential locks, an on-the-fly adjustable tire pressure control system,  and the ability to wade through a meter-deep river doesn’t mean this rough-and-tumble Merc has forgotten its sense of luxury.

Recommended Videos

Inside, the 6×6 is all upscale, swathed in designer leather with contrasting top-stitching and diamond-pattern quilting. All four seats are electronically adjustable and are heated and ventilated, keeping occupants comfortable no matter what extreme environment they might be traversing.

Mercedes Benz G63 6x6 AMG
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Despite the $430,000 asking price, Mercedes completely sold out of the roughly 100 G 63 6×6 units it developed. Mercedes probably figured there are only so many multimillion dollar doomsday preppers out there … and the limited run should have satisfied most of them.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

We’re sad to see it go, but the G 63 6×6 has certainly left an indelible (tire)mark on our hearts. It will always be remembered and it’ll certainly come up often when we debate our dream cars to cross the world in. To soften our loss, we’ll at least have the V12-powered G 65 arriving on our shores this year to keep us busy.

Alexander Kalogianni
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…
Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work
Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Read more
Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?
Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Read more
EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says
ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.

Read more