SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG V8 and G65 AMG V12 Caught Undisguised in Dubai

While spy shooters are searching for camouflaged prototypes of the facelifted 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class on the roads of Germany, the team over at "3rabacars" was fortunate enough to discover an entire garage of barely disguised examples of the upcoming AMG variants in a garage in Dubai.

From what we understand, 3rabacars took pictures of both the V8-powered G63 (or G55) AMG and the V12-powered G65 AMG. According to the poster, the G63 AMG's speedometer went up to 280km/h (174mph) while the G65 AMG's stopped at 320km/h (199mph).

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Posted on 12.39 / 0 comments / Read More

SCOOP: Mercedes-Benz Preparing 2012 G63 AMG with Bi-Turbocharged V8

The rugged G-Class may be the oldest model series in Mercedes-Benz's range as it has been constantly in production since 1979, but the Germans aren't about to let it go yet as they continue to improve their most famous luxury off-road vehicle.

Our spies recently caught up with a couple of prototype models of the flagship AMG variant while testing in Europe. The G-Wagen SUVs were fitted with new exterior mirrors featuring the same design as the ones found on newer Mercedes passenger models and a modified lower front end with three large air vents.

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Posted on 11.08 / 0 comments / Read More

Mercedes to Expand U.S. Factory to Locally Produce the Next C-Class, R-Class and G-Class

Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, said it plans to invest more than $2 billion to upgrade and retool its U.S. plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in order to begin building the C-Class (from 2014) as well as the new generations of the R-Class and the G-Class models. Read more »

Posted on 15.16 / 0 comments / Read More

Mercedes-Benz Rumored to be Readying Monstrous G65 AMG Limited Edition with 612HP V12

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagen, started its life towards the end of the 1970s as a rugged off-roader featuring a body-on-frame construction and three fully locking differentials, one. And even though the base models continue the same formula today, somewhere down the line, a crazy AMG engineer had a eureka moment and threw in a powerful engine under the hood transforming the boxy 4x4 into a 3.5-tonne weapon capable of humiliating sports car in a straight line duel.

Today, the most potent G-Class model is the G55 AMG fitted with a supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine developing 507-horses and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of peak torque for a 0-100km/h (62mph) in just 5.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 210 km/h. But that may soon change if we are to believe a report from Dutch website Autoblog.nl on a new range topping G-Class model with the G65 AMG moniker.

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Posted on 10.22 / 0 comments / Read More

Mercedes-Benz Sends Off G-Class SWB with Special Edition Version

It won’t be long before Mercedes stops production of the short wheelbase version (SWB) of its iconic G-Class series, but before that happens, the German company is launching a limited production model, fittingly called the “BA3 Final Edition” as a last hurrah. It is joined by a special version of the long-wheelbase model (LWB) called the “Edition Select”, based on the G500. Read more »

Posted on 15.13 / 0 comments / Read More

Brabus 800 Widestar is an 800HP Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Following in the footsteps of the 700HP Brabus G V12 S, Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has unleashed the 800 Widestar, an extreme version of the G-Class off-roader.

The 800 Widestar is equipped with an V12 engine sourced from the Mercedes-Benz S600, but with extensive upgrades such as the increase in displacement from 5.4 to 6.3-liters, the addition of a new intake system, new engine mapping and the complex Brabus bi-turbo system featuring four water-to-air intercoolers. Additionally, the V12 is fitted with a custom stainless-steel exhaust-system.

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Posted on 05.43 / 0 comments / Read More

VIDEO: Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher Meet up in New Mercedes Ad

Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has released many TV ads featuring two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen and other renowned pilots, most ending with a funny twist. The Stuttgart-based automaker's latest commercial to hit the web, called “Sunday Driver”, follows a similar recipe. This time, Mercedes chose a hilarious way to promote its 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system. To shake things up, Michael Schumacher also makes an appearance, alongside a good-looking female driver.

We’ve also included the “Third man” commercial from a few years back, in which the “New Flying Finn” trumps the younger Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. You can watch both videos after the jump.

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Posted on 06.35 / 0 comments / Read More

Saudi Arabia King Greenlights Gazal 1 for Production

Remember the Saudi Arabian SUV concept called the 'Gazal 1' from this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show in March? Well, it's officially going into production. The announcement was made by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah himself during a special ceremony earlier this week.

The original Gazal 1 concept study was created by the students of Saud University in Riyadh with some help from Magna Steyr and Studiotorino. Despite the deign similarities with Toyota's FJ Cruiser, the Gazal 1 is actually based on the underpinnings of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and is powered by a V8 engine.

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Posted on 16.53 / 0 comments / Read More

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Returns to the UK Market, Available in Three Flavors

After a ten year absence from the UK, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class will return to the German firm's biggest right hand drive market this Autumn. The oldest model in Merc's lineup that recently celebrated 30th birthday will be offered with a choice of diesel or supercharged petrol engines.

In particular, UK drivers be able to choose between the diesel-powered G 350 CDI which produces 221HP and returns 25.7 mpg UK, and the range topping G 55 AMG KOMPRESSOR, which produces 500HP and reaches 0-62 mph (100km/h) in just 5.5 seconds.

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Posted on 09.07 / 0 comments / Read More

VÄTH G55 AMG: A 680HP Mercedes-Benz G-Class at Your Service

There's something about the AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's timeless G-Class that makes tuners go haywire. This time, it's Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist, Vath, that has presented a fully tricked-out G55 AMG.

In stock form, the über G-Class is powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 churning out a completely respectable 500HP and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. After Vath gets its way with the V8 engine, output is lifted to 680HP and 800Nm (590 lb-ft) allowing the G55 AMG to reach a top speed of 265km/h or 165mph.

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Posted on 06.53 / 0 comments / Read More

Geneva Show: Gazal-1 Leaps Straight out of Saudi Arabia

This right here is the Gazal-1. It's based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and was built by engineering students at King Saud University. Here's where I'd usually bore you with the project's mission as read in a press release, but let's keep this one simple.

The Gazal is named after gazelles (I see it!), apparently a creature commonly found living in Saudi Arabia. It kind of looks like a G-Class at an FJ Cruiser. Can't you just see this thing bounding over dunes and through malls?

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Posted on 14.35 / 0 comments / Read More

Dubai Show: Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Kompressor "Edition 79" Special

This year's Dubai Motor Show appears to be all about special edition models aimed at wealthy Middle Eastern buyers. Together with the SLS AMG Desert Gold that we told you about in an earlier post, Mercedes-Benz also staged the premiere of the G55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79", which like the trio of Bugatti Veyron specials, is exclusively destined for the Middle East.

Named in reference to the sales start of the G series in 1979, the G55 AMG KOMPRESSOR "Edition 79" will be built in a limited run of only 70 units.

Special features include the "designo magno alanite grey" matt paint finish which has been borrowed from the SLS AMG and is not normally available on the G-Class, crash bar at the front, carbon-look side trim strips, 19-inch AMG rims in a titanium finish and chromed protective grilles for the front indicators, tail lights and the underguard.

Inside, the limited run G55 AMG sports two-tone designo leather seats, carbon-fibre trim and the Edition logo "1 out of 79" positioned in front of the selector lever.

Posted on 18.03 / 0 comments / Read More

Hamann's Beastly 600HP Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Supercharged

Never quite understood the logic behind the creation of stupendously powerful off-roaders with supercar-like performance, but maybe that's exactly what makes them so attractive to those that can afford them: they don't make any sense to the rest of us... Hamann's latest take on the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG fits perfectly in this category of vehicles.

As if the factory model's supercharged V8 with 507HP wasn't powerful enough, the German tuner performed its magic upgrades to bump output to 600HP and 782Nm or 577 lb-ft of torque. The modifications result to a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5.1 seconds and a maximum speed of 261 km/h or 163mph. That's compared to the standard G55 AMG's 5.5 second sprint time and 210km/h or 131mph electronically governed top speed.

The package include fender extensions that broaden the G-model by 40 mm at the front axle and 60 mm at the back axle allowing the use of ridiculously large 24-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 315/35 R24 tires.

What some may call 'lipstick on a pig', Hamann identifies as an aero kit that comprises of a front spoiler with integrated LED daytime running lights, a rear skirt that incorporates a diffuser and a roof spoiler while the six tailpipes (three on each side), complete the looks.

Optionally, Hamann offers a 14-part exterior set made of carbon fibre for the air inlets on the bonnet, radiator grill, headlight protective grid, mirror cases, door handles and air inlets in the side wings.

The G55 AMG's interior can been deupgraded with aluminum accessories, a 24-part set made of carbon fibre, specific floor mats, a new steering wheel as well as custom velour upholstery.

Posted on 15.06 / 0 comments / Read More