Mercedes created an unholy hybrid between a tank and a sports car, in the form of the G63 AMG 4x4 Squared
by Dim Angelov, on LISTEN 04:26The Mercedes G-Class has been one of the most distinctive vehicles ever made. Like the Land Rover Defender and Hummer H1, the G-Class was originally developed as a light, military transport vehicle. While the model, also known as Gelandewagen, can trace its roots back to the 1970s, the model has evolved over the years, with many special versions of the boxy off-roader. Now, there is a new version for 2023 and it looks like, this time, Mercedes has made the ultimate factory monster truck.
What makes this one special with so many special versions of the Mercedes G-Class? Back in 2013, Mercedes gave us the G63 AMG 6x6 and two years later, we got the G500 4x4 Squared, which was, essentially, a four-wheel version of a six-wheel version of a four-wheel SUV. Confused already? Anyway, the G500 4x4 Squared also aimed to bring some of the ruggedness back into the G-Wagen, which over time, became more luxurious and some of the edges were smoothed out. The G63 AMG 4x4 Squared took the G500 4x4 Squared formula and added AMG power.
Now that we have established the significance of the latest G-Class, it’s time to tell you about what’s underneath the boxy body. The G63 4x4 Squared is powered by AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, which puts out 585 horsepower (430 kilowatts) at 6,000 RPM and 627 pound-feet (850 Nm) at 2,500 to 3,500 RPM. The transmission is a nine-speed Speedshift automatic. This allows for a 0 o 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.3 seconds on to an electronically-limited top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h).
Engine | 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 |
---|---|
Power | 585 HP @ 6,000 RPM |
Torque | 627 LB-FT @ 2,500 - 3,500 RPM |
Transmission | nine-speed Speedshift automatic |
0 to 60 mph | 4.3 seconds |
Top Speed | 137 mph |
In terms of drivetrain and suspension, the G63 4x4 Squared features the familiar, permanent all-wheel-drive system, combined with portal axles. This ensures effortless off-road performance while retaining the on-road manners of the standard G63 AMG model. What this means in numbers is that the G63 Squared can climb angles as steep as 45 degrees while having 13.8 inches (351 mm) of ground clearance and 35.8 inches (910 mm) of wading depth.
There is, however, a slight trade-off, compared to the G500 Squared, which has 17.24 inches (438 mm) of ground clearance and 39.4 inches (1,000.8 mm) of wading depth. That said, it’s a small price to pay for the extra performance that comes with AMG’s twin-turbo V-8.
The 2023 Mercedes G63 AMG Squared is the most customizable G-Wagon out there. You can choose between 40 different exterior colors and this particular one is finished in Green Hell Magno, which is a tribute to Nurburgring’s Nordschleife. Further accentuating the performance nature of the model is the vast use of exposed carbon fiber across the bodywork. The lightweight material can be found on the wheel-arch extensions, “protective stripes”, spoiler, roof-mounted off-road lights, and spare-wheel cover, which hides the 22-inch spare, all-terrain wheel. As befits a G-Class, the exhaust tips come out the side for an extra-epic V-8 soundtrack.

The interior is just as special, with extended LED ambient lighting and a special start-up screen, exclusive for the G63 4x4 Squared. Bespoke leather stitching that matches the exterior and much more can be found inside this latest iteration of the Gelandewagen. In terms of price, Mercedes hasn’t released details yet. We know that the G500 4x4 Squared started from $225,995 so we can expect a figure closer to the $300,000 mark. If anything, the 2023 G63 4x4 Squared proves that the model, which started out as a spartan military truck has a lot more to give us. What’s next, maybe a track-driven tank version with a Howitzer on top?