Top Secret: V12-powered AMG G-Wagen surfaces
11/22/2024 05:00 PM
It’s a vehicle so rare, Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts often don’t know of its existence. Only a handful of these V12-powered G-Wagens were made by AMG, and one is coming up for sale.
One of the rarest vehicles to be made by AMG will soon head across the auction block.
This 2002 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG V12 is claimed to be one of just five made, with the V12-powered G-Wagen never offered to the public – or even announced by Mercedes-Benz it was being produced.
According to auctioneers RM Sotheby’s, this Alabaster White G63 AMG V12 was an official state vehicle owned by the Dubai royal family for more than 20 years.
It’s understood prospective buyers were hand-picked by AMG in 2001, with the model never appearing in marketing materials or at motor shows – to the point where its existence isn’t widely known, even in Mercedes-Benz enthusiast circles.
While AMG was the performance partner of Mercedes-Benz at the time, it would be another four years before the German car giant bought the Affalterbach-based tuning company – becoming Mercedes-AMG – and later G63 models all being powered by V8 engines.
Rather than the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 later offered in the Australian G63, AMG took a 5.8-litre ‘M137’ V12 engine, increased its capacity to 6.3 litres, and fitted it to the G-Wagen – matched with a five-speed automatic transmission.
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Led by AMG’s Japanese division, website Mercedes Aficionado reports the V12 put out 326kW and 620Nm, allowing the G63 to hit 100km/h from a standstill in 6.5 seconds.
Despite Japan driving on the left, it’s common for German luxury cars to be ordered in left-hand drive in that market.
Though visually identical to the G55 of the same era, the G63 AMG V12 was also available with an extended wheelbase – referred to as ‘XXL’ models (below).
Curiously, internet sleuths claim to have uncovered more than five VINs for the G63 AMG V12 – at least four made with the traditional five-door body, and a further three made with the six-seater XXL body.
It’s said the G63 AMG V12 cost an estimated $US190,000 ($AU292,000) in 2001, with at least one model changing hands in recent years for just $US40,000 ($AU61,500). Another XXL was advertised for €450,000 ($AU732,000) in 2010.
After the Lamborghini LM002, it was only the second production SUV to be powered by a V12 engine.
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However, the G63 AMG V12 wasn’t the only V12-powered G-Wagen to be made.
Between 2013 and 2018, the Mercedes-AMG G65 was offered for sale in Europe and the US, fitted with a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 ‘M275’ engine making 463kW and 1000Nm.
In 2017, Mercedes-Maybach created the G650 Landaulet, using the same powertrain as the G65.
In 2021, Mercedes-Benz tuning house Brabus created the G V12 900 – powered by a 6.3-litre twin-turbo V12 making 662kW and 1500Nm, with a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive – with just 10 being made.
It’s also believed a German tuning company named ORC created a one-off vehicle for a customer in 1997, fitting a V12 powertrain from a Mercedes-Benz S-Class to a 300GE (an early G-Wagen) – making an impressive 304kW for the period.
The ORC was originally intended for racing, but the story goes the owner instead had the interior trimmed in leather and wood for use on Germany’s autobahns.
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This particular G63 AMG V12 owned by the Dubai royal family features grey leather and burred walnut veneer trim, heated seats, an electric sunroof, TV tuner, CD changer, Nokia hands-free mobile phone system, and rear parking sensors, and has just 44,509 kilometres on the clock.
RM Sotheby’s will offer the 2002 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG V12 on Sunday 1 December 2024, with pricing estimated at between $US350,000 and $US400,000 ($AU538,000-615,000).
For more information, you can find the auction lot by clicking here.
The post Top Secret: V12-powered AMG G-Wagen surfaces appeared first on Drive.
