Highlights
- HPI Clear
- A beautiful example of Mercedes-Benz’s ultimate luxury off roader
- A mere 20,000 miles from new backed by a full, main dealer service history
- Complete with a huge specification and presenting in an excellent condition throughout
- Powered by the awesome AMG, hand built V8 engine with an incredible 571 bhp on tap
The Appeal
The G-Class of today is a direct and close descendant of the original “Geländewagen” which first launched in 1979 as a military utility vehicle at the suggestion of the then Shah of Iran. Production was a specialist affair and so outsourced to Steyr-Daimler-Puch who built a dedicated production facility in Graz, Austria.
Whilst today’s models have developed considerably since then, these incredible vehicles are still hand built on a single dedicated production line in that same Graz production facility. Each modern G-Wagen takes around 100 hours to lovingly craft, which is around 3 times longer than a robot built equivalent. With the addition of the amazing AMG V8, which is hand built by a single craftsman, the AMG G63 is one of the few totally hand built cars still offered by a mainstream manufacturer.
The History and Paperwork
- This G-Wagen was registered on the 7th September 2016
- Supplied to its first lucky owner via Mercedes-Benz Nottingham
- The car was bought by its current owner in June 2022 and has been stored indoors
- The G-Wagen has clearly been lightly used having averaged a mere 3,300 miles per year
- Despite this the car has been diligently serviced by main dealers
- Services are documented at 15,498, 17,266 and 18,762 miles
- The original books are on hand together with a number of invoices and receipts
- These include the invoices relating to the above main dealer services
- The current V5 is present
- The G-Wagen’s MOT history is advisory free
- The car will be sold with a valid 12-month MOT in place
The Interior
- The luxury interior is presented in the rare, Designo Porcelain leather
- Other trim is finished in Piano Black lacquer, also from the Designo range
- Being a range topping G-Wagen the interior is exquisitely trimmed and finished
- Featuring an extensive interior specification blending comfort and capability
Many G-Wagens feature black interiors which can seem a little drab. This example is trimmed in the much rarer Designo Porcelain leather (503) which lifts the cabin ambiance considerably and helps it exude comfort and luxury in spades.
This example includes the Seat Comfort package which gives you heated and ventilated front seats which are fully electrically adjustable and boast three setting memory functions for both driver and front passenger. This function even extends to the headrests, steering wheel and exterior mirrors. The soft leather is perforated and a “designo” chrome emblem adorns the backrests.
The rear cabin is as commodious as it is luxurious. The leather trimmed rear seats fold in a 1/3, 2/3 arrangement to maximise the load lugging capacity if needed. Even the rear seats are heated, and the obligatory twin cup holders are present in the centre console.
The luxurious ambiance extends to the high-quality door cards which are finished in ruched leather. The headlining is microfibre and the deep carpets and AMG emblazoned sill cappings leave you in no doubt that you are being cosseted by the range-topping G-Wagen. Even the gear selector features the embossed AMG logo, which combines the Affalterbach town logo with various AMG precision engine components.
Despite the luxury leanings there are numerous clues here to this vehicle’s off-road capabilities. A big grab handle dominates the passenger’s view of the dash and the centre console is home to controls for the vehicle’s sequentially locking differentials.
The luggage compartment is fully carpeted and contains numerous lashing points, a retracting luggage cover and a protective luggage net.
Needless to say, there are more toys in here than in Hamleys’ stock room. These include the Command online system and media interface with 8-inch screen, reversing camera, Harmon Kardon Logic 7 sound system, electric tilt and slide sunroof, Bluetooth interface and Parktronic parking assistance….to name but a few!
The Exterior
- The exterior is finished in the original, deep, and lustrous Diamond Silver Metallic (988)
- The exterior presentation is very hard to fault with just the odd, minor scratch reported
- Distinctive AMG touches include the sublime, quad, chrome tipped, side exiting exhaust pipes
Mercedes-Benz seem to have achieved that very challenging feat of creating a machine that appears eminently modern and cutting edge whilst remaining very faithful to the original design of the 1970’s military G-Wagens. It’s a winning combination that also seems to blend luxury and utility without compromise.
The bright silver colourway of our example helps accentuate all the subtle details that makes for such a successful design treatment. These include the signature wing-top indicators, the flat flanks and panels, and flared wheel arches and side-steps.
The G-Wagen sits tall on 20-inch, 5-twin-spoke design AMG alloy wheels finished in gloss black. These appear to be in an equally fine fettle and are shod in Dunlop SP Sport 275/50 Z20, all weather tyres. These are reported to have good levels of tread remaining all round. The open spoke design allows for a glimpse of the AMG monogrammed callipers.
To the rear of the G-Wagen there is a hard spare wheel cover fitted to the rear door and a Mercedes-Benz tow bar with single electrics. The G-Wagen is no lightweight in towing terms either with a stated maximum towing weight of a full 3,500 kgs.
The Mechanics
- This G-Wagen is fitted with the behemoth AMG V8, 32 valve, 5,461cc petrol engine
- This twin-turbo unit produces a huge 571 bhp and 760 nm of torque at just 1,750 rpm
- Ultimate grip is ensured via a permanent four-wheel drive system
The immensely powerful M177 AMG V8 engine is a product of the company’s “one man, one engine” philosophy. One technician at the Affalterbach engine plant is responsible for the hand crafting of each engine. At the end of the process a signed plaque is affixed, documenting the craftsmen responsible for each unit. Each engine comprises of around 600 precision parts and takes four to five hours to complete.
In the AMG G63 this legendary engine endows the big off-roader with a reported 5.4 second 0-60 mph time and incredible in gear grunt at any speed in any conditions. Power, in the AMG G63, is fed to all four wheels via an AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic gearbox. Three setting, sequentially locking differentials ensure that traction can be maintained even on the most slippery of slopes.
Despite all this on-road grunt and capability the G-Wagen retains its ancestor’s off road credentials and credibility too. With a ground clearance of 21 cms and able to climb 80% gradients this is an SUV which is, truly, for all seasons.
Given the low, original mileage and full main dealer service history of our example, it will come as no surprise that it is reported as driving “as new” with no mechanical issues at all being evident.
Summary
The G-Wagen has always attracted an enthusiastic and knowledgeable following thanks to its charming, boxy utility and its classless persona. Like few others, a G-Wagen has always looked as at home outside the casino as it did on the farm. Mercedes-Benz pulled off the, seemingly, impossible by retaining all that charm and personality when it updated the concept and shoehorned a big AMG V8 under the flat bonnet.
What’s not to love about a boxy off-roader with a plush leather interior, quad, side exiting exhausts and a sub-six second 0-60 time after all? This is a great and hard to find example too. It clearly has been lightly and sympathetically used and diligently maintained offering its next lucky owner a vehicle in a close to new condition. Given that this car probably retailed for close to £130,000 back in 2016, it should also offer its new keeper a surprisingly good value proposition too.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
