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By Jonathan Crouch

The Mercedes G-Wagen is at its most astonishing in 585hp G 63 V8 petrol form. Jonathan Crouch looks at the revised version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 74

You know the real thing when you see it and, when it comes to supremely capable large SUVs, this is the real thing, the Mercedes G-Class. With this improved, mild hybrid-electrified version of the second generation model, subtle changes feature, but the anti-zeitgeist appeal of the burbling 585hp 4.0-litre AMG petrol V8 is much as before, as is the legendary off road ability. As a car, it's unnecessary, it's politically incorrect and it's addictive.

Backgroundword count: 165

On the face of it, putting a 585hp engine into a luxury SUV shaped like a portakabin sounds a bad idea. No, scrub that. It sounds an absolutely certifiable notion. But with the second generation G-Class model launched back in 2018 (and usefully updated six years on to create the car we look at here) Mercedes did it anyway, reasoning correctly that oligarchs and squillionaires will find the idea of a Gelandewagen powered by the 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 from the AMG GT supercar almost impossible to resist. Perhaps though, the whole point of enormous wealth is indulging your inner fantasies and the way the handbuilt V8 in this exclusive SUV explodes under heavy acceleration in a frantic volley of noise all the way to the point where it crashes against the 7,000rpm rev limiter is certainly addictive. Giving this car the kind of charm it would need to offer if your other SUVIP choices included a Lamborghini Urus or a twelve cylinder Bentley Bentayga.

Driving Experienceword count: 248

This G 63 model's 4.0-litre V8 puts out 585hp and in this updated form has gained mild hybrid drive, which contributes 20hp. Performance hasn't much changed, this powerplant clouting the G 63 to 62mph in just 4.5s and onto an electronically limited top speed of 137mph - or 149mph if you're crazy enough to pay Mercedes £2,000 to de-restrict it, in which case you really have got more money than sense. You'll get to enjoy the engine much more once you get the hang of all the different drive systems. Mercedes includes its 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes set-up which in its top 'Sport+' setting, ramps up the throaty note of the AMG sports exhaust. There are also the usual 'Sport', 'Comfort' and 'Individual' options, plus an extra 'Slippery' mode for rainy days and icy mornings. All the choices you can make here affect throttle response, steering feel, stability settings and the shift timings of the 9G-TRONIC auto gearbox, which features in a G 63 in more sharply-focused SPEEDSHIFT form. 'DYNAMIC SELECT' can alter suspension feel too, courtesy of standard 'AMG RIDE CONTROL' adaptive damping. As in any other G-Class model, the available mountain of torque (850Nm in this case) should be adequate to drag you out of most sticky situations, while the car's three electrically controlled 100-percent differential locks, ladder frame and rigid axle characteristics also underline its mettle in rough off-road terrain. There's a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and this Merc can wade up to 700mm of water.

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