Mercedes G65 AMG coming to US for 2016
Tue, 02 Sep 2014If you're in the market for a high-performance SUV, you've got plenty of choices at your disposal, and soon you'll have even more. And a healthy portion of those come with a Silver Star on the nose. Mercedes-Benz already offers the ML63 AMG, GL63 AMG and G63 AMG – all powered by the same 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 – in American showrooms. Soon the smaller GLA45 AMG will join them as well. But if it's more power you're after, we've got good news, because the latest word is that Benz is finally bringing over its flagship G65 AMG.
Similar to the G63 AMG, the G65 is based on the German automaker's iconic Geländewagen, but packs a monstrous 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 – the same unit that has powered everything from the S65 AMG and SL65 AMG to the previous Maybach and even the Pagani Huayra. In the G65, that gargantuan engine churns out 604 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, channeled to all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The G65 has been on the market overseas since 2012, but was kept away from these shores. According to Automotive News, however, Mercedes will finally bring its most powerful sport-ute to American showrooms. And not a moment too soon, either, as Land Rover just came out with its Range Rover Sport SVR; rivals like Bentley, Lamborghini and Maserati are all working on performance SUVs of their own; and competitors like Porsche and BMW aren't likely to give up fighting, either.
Expect the G65 to launch in the US as a 2016 model with a price tag tipped to top $250,000.
By Noah Joseph