Formally, this car doesn’t exist. 

Whereas the brand new Mercedes-Benz G-Class 4×4 Squared was noticed throughout growth, it was by no means formally introduced. There’s no official spec sheet. It’s not even listed on Mercedes-Benz’s web site. This factor is a ghost, but I spent practically per week in a matte-gold Mercedes-Benz G 63 4×4 Squared. It’s actual. It’s outrageously costly. It’s fantastic.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 4×4 Squared formally returned in 2022. Since then, Mercedes sellers have been quietly taking orders from well-heeled patrons upon request. For the few who’ve the means, the G-Class Squared is a extra luxurious and much more off-road succesful model of the already achieved G-Class. 

Mercedes G-Class 4×4 Squared brings again the portal axles

The G-Class 4×4 Squared is a Mercedes-Benz G 63 that provides 4.3 inches of floor clearance due to trick portal axles in any respect 4 corners. What’s a portal axle? The wheels don’t mount to the ends of the axles through conventional hubs. As an alternative, an extra gearset mounts to the hubs and wheels, creating an offset, which in flip drops the wheels for the extra floor clearance. 

The portal axles assist create an astonishing 13.8 inches of floor clearance, a 41.3-degree method angle, a 36.8-degree departure angle, and a 42.0-degree breakover angle. These wild numbers are among the many finest obtainable. To place them in perspective, the Ford Bronco Raptor has 13.1 inches of floor clearance, and much more spectacular 47.2- and 40.5-degree method and departure angles due to its donut-like 37-inch tires and quick overhangs. However the 4×4 Squared bests the Braptor’s 30.8-degree breakover angle by a large margin. The Rivian R1T and R1S SUV finest each with 14.9 inches of floor clearance, partly as a result of there aren’t any differentials to hold down, however it could actually’t compete when it comes to off-roading angles. Simply await the electrical EQG to return together with its 4 motors, and picture if the wizards at AMG slap some portal axles onto it. It may boast even higher off-road credentials.

Mercedes G-Class 4×4 Squared will get AMG remedy

The primary G-Class to get this remedy was the G 550 4×4 Squared, and we thought it was costly in 2019 at $225,000. Instances change, and the whole lot from the worth to the horsepower have inflated. The AMG G 63 4×4 Squared I drove was technically a 2022 mannequin with a base worth of $349,000. However loaded with choices together with $6,500 matte-gold paint and a $3,600 AMG Evening Bundle (code for blackout package deal) as examined, the SUV I took off-roading price an eye-watering $363,820. Earlier than choices, it now begins at $358,150 together with $1,150 for vacation spot.

The most recent 4×4 Squared makes use of the AMG G 63’s twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that churns out 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, which is up 161 hp and 177 lb-ft over the G 550 4×4 Squared that used a model of the identical engine. Increase is a hell of a drug. It’s hooked to a 9-speed computerized transmission, up two gears from the earlier 7-speed, and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with three locking differentials. The rear, entrance, and middle differentials are every engaged with a button on the dashboard. Few manufacturing automobiles exterior the aforementioned Rivians and Braptor include this type of {hardware}

Mercedes G 63 4×4 Squared can’t be stopped

Standing subsequent to the burbling facet pipes of the G 63 within the staging space of Rowher Flats OHV park, I requested good friend and fellow auto journalist Jonny Liebermann if I might actually need to interact all three lockers as we speak. “Positively, in a single spot,” Liebermann quipped as he continued airing down the tires on his yellow Rivian R1T. Professional tip: It’s all the time sensible to convey a good friend with an extremely succesful machine and restoration gear when going off-roading.

Regardless of our plan of heading up a triple black diamond path, we didn’t trouble airing down the 22-inch 325/55 Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain tires on the 4×4 Squared as a result of it appeared pointless. The chutzpah this Mercedes exudes whereas simply sitting makes most different off-road automobiles appear inferior.

For day-to-day driving, the 4×4 Squared has an AMG-tuned four-wheel-drive system with a 40:60 rear bias.  I shifted to impartial and put the 2-speed switch case into 4Lo, figuring I might have interaction varied off-road modes when wanted. However solely the 5 normal drive modes—Consolation, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, and Particular person—got here up on the display. Confounded, Liebermann and I attempted to seek out the off-road modes, however we couldn’t. We did not know the cheat code.

As we had been about to start out up the hill sans off-road drive modes, Liebermann, who’s fairly aware of Rowher Flats, advised I have interaction the middle differential to lock a 50:50 cut up of energy to the entrance and rear wheels. Abruptly Path, Rock, and Sand off-road drive modes turned obtainable, the digital stability management system turned off, and the roof-mounted amber operating lights on the entrance and rear carbon-fiber spoilers turned on. Cheat code accepted.

Heading up the triple black diamond path, the G 63 didn’t break a sweat, however as deep ruts began showing on the path I tapped the right-most plastic differential button to interact the rear locker so the Pirellis wouldn’t tear up the earth with all of the engine’s obtainable torque. 

Each hill, rut, and valley that the yellow Rivian conquered in silence, the 4×4 Squared adopted with a low burble.

Then I noticed the 135.8-inch wheelbase Rivian porpoise backwards and forwards over a set of deep undulations. Its 4 motors tried to get the ability to the bottom because the truck teeter-tottered. Lieberman gave it some throttle and the rear finish slid left towards a rock wall on one facet whereas the entrance slid proper towards the opposite rock wall. My palms received sweaty. That Rivian was Liebermann’s, however this $363,820 Mercedes definitely wasn’t mine. Was I about to tear off this factor’s operating boards, facet pipes, or rear bumper extension? What would Mercedes say if I slid this factor’s carbon-fiber fender flares right into a rock wall?

My fears had been overblown. The G 63 4×4 Squared’s shorter 113.1-inch wheelbase, which is 5.3-inches shorter than a four-door Jeep Wrangler’s, prevented the Mercedes from porpoising by way of this impediment. The tires clawed on the earth, the suspension prolonged the tires down into the deep holes, and the Mercedes simply continued climbing. No carbon-fiber fender flares had been harmed in the course of the traversing of that or any path. However my blood stress most likely rose too excessive.

About an hour into our journey towards the heavens, the G 63 4×4 Squared lastly blinked. Going up an undulation with the middle and rear lockers engaged, the driver-side entrance tire began to spin. I tapped the left-most silver differential button to interact the entrance locker. I felt a click on, eased into the throttle, the entrance wheels grabbed on the dusty, slippery, rock-strewn earth, and the burbling SUV started to maneuver ahead as if the undulations didn’t exist. If this Mercedes didn’t have a entrance locker, I may have used the considerable energy to beat the state of affairs, however that may’ve torn up extra dust. 

Upon reaching the summit of the mountain path, Liebermann famous that just about no proprietor will ever do what we simply did. What a criminal offense. This machine is constructed for this.

Heading again down a a lot simpler path I disengaged the lockers and shifted to 4Hi. We picked up the pace and the distant reservoir shocks stored the trip disruptions to a minimal as they absorbed the beating. The trip by no means tossed me side-to-side, nor did my neck really feel drained as soon as we reached the underside of the hill. 

Mercedes G 63 4×4 Squared goes to extremes

After I pulled again out onto the road, the G 63 4×4 Squared drove like a lifted G-Class, with the related further physique roll round corners. It’s nonetheless steady in sweeping canyon roads, although. 

Mercedes estimates the G 63 4×4 Squared can dash from 0-60 mph in about 5.0 seconds, and my butt dyno estimates that’s about proper, if not a tish faster. That’s on the way in which to an electronically restricted 130-mph high pace. It requires some journey planning, although, particularly for parking, as a result of the high-riding Mercedes requires 7-feet 4-inches of clearance, that means it received’t slot in all parking garages or by way of all drive-thrus.

Surprising nobody, this flying German brick drinks fuel. It carries EPA gas economic system rankings of 10 mpg metropolis, 12 mpg freeway, and 11 mpg mixed. These numbers are seemingly spot on. Over the course of 264 miles of combined driving, with two thirds of it on the freeway, I averaged 10.8 mpg, in keeping with the journey laptop. 

Inside, the G 63 Squared is a loaded G-Class with a leather-wrapped dashboard, quilted leather-based massaging entrance seats, and an enormous seize deal with on the passenger facet of the dashboard. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster will get its personal 4×4 Squared startup sequence, and the rearview mirror has been swapped for a rear digital camera mirror. This turns out to be useful for the reason that huge spare tire blocks the rear view. Unique to the 4×4 Squared are a microfiber-wrapped efficiency steering wheel and matte carbon-fiber trim bits. However the low, flat dashboard and 12.3-inch infotainment display, which isn’t a touchscreen and nonetheless runs the final technology of MBUX, will all be acquainted to anybody who has frolicked in a current G-Class.

Small particulars add as much as a distinct perspective for the outside. The carbon-fiber fender flares bulk up the look whereas overlaying the chunky all-terrain tires. The carbon-fiber roof spoilers are particular to the 4×4 Squared, although the white LED driving lights mounted within the entrance spoiler don’t perform on account of U.S. rules. The amber operating lights mounted on the roof spoilers work, however solely when the car is in 4Lo. The rear bumper has an extension to fulfill U.S. crash requirements, and it simply seems awkward. You’d suppose the operating boards would make getting out and in simpler, however they don’t. The truth is, they nearly get in the way in which since they’re mounted up so excessive. A carbon-fiber spare tire cowl mounted to the rear hatch is there to impress onlookers at any given LA-area Starbucks.

Virtually nobody exterior of the automotive fanatic realm realizes what the G 63 4×4 Squared is or why it’s particular. To most individuals, this simply seems like a lifted bro truck model of a G-Class. It sort of is, but it surely’s additionally a lot extra. The worth is absurd, however so is the Mercedes-Benz G 63 4×4’s off-road functionality. Mercedes builds the 4×4 Squared in restricted numbers and received’t even disclose manufacturing figures. When you see one, make a want. 

Cash can’t purchase the whole lot, but it surely definitely can purchase one of the crucial succesful manufacturing off-road automobiles. If in case you have the means, I extremely suggest choosing one up and really taking it off-road.