Monster from Mercedes 6x6 Gelika Bashny.Net

The most startling in respect of Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 2014 - this is not the fact of its existence, and the fact that he is a serial car. And you can buy it. The company AMG has collected almost 60 cars this year.

25 photos + text

At the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria - the home of car Geländewagen - already has five finished the 6-wheeled beauties: three trucks, full customized, one copy of the exhibition and the monster slate color that you see in these pictures.

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It turns out that this huge six-wheeled handsome - hand-built, assembled on the same assembly line, which meets every second G-Wagen. In recent years, the number of workers has been increased by 1 500 people and organized the second shift, because sales of G-Wagen beat all records. So, ...

... 2012 - the best year of sales of this model SUV since its production in 1979.

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As for this year, until November 2013th company Mercedes sold them already more than in 2012, and half of the sales are very expensive models G63 AMG. Just imagine: in the United States model G63 now - the best-selling series of all AMG.

Since sales are G-Wagen in growth after 34 years of existence, Axel Harries, "boss class G», gave the command to throw caution, common sense, any restrictions on the production of this model 6x6. Why? In addition to solid earnings, there is no problem in the manufacture of parts, of which this car is going.

Basically, this monster assembled from standard parts class G. Most of the interior, three-axis frame and recalibrated distributing gearbox taken from the Australian version of the military vehicle class G.

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5, 5-liter V8 engine with twin-turbocharged, seven-speed gearbox and trim stitched leather Designo - from the G63 AMG.

There are, of course, new parts, including 18-inch wheels with "bidlokom" and 37-inch tires. These tires can be inflated and deflated centrally using four 20-liter air tank and a giant compressor. Pressure from zero to 2 bar is raised for 20 seconds.

This model is equipped with gas shock absorbers Öhlin, stiffer springs, more robust bumpers and a whole set of custom-made aluminum parts such as rear bumper.

But the real money is invested in portal bridges that serve to adapt the system inflating tires. Originally designed for armored military vehicle class G, these bridges not only provide this model an impressive 45 3 cm ground clearance, but also provide the handling characteristics of the car.

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All of the above leads us inevitably to the figures, and they - like everything associated with this model - truly fantastic. Are you ready? At the present rate, ...

... This model is a bit smaller than 6x6 625,000 USD.

Subtract 19% of European value-added tax - and you get a figure of about 525,000 USD. (Alas, the company Mercedes has not sold the 6x6 in the US, as well as the V12 G65.) The machine weighs a little less than 6x6 4000 kg (compared with 2665 kg for the last batch G63), and yet the company's representatives say that ...

... This monster can reach speeds up to 100 km / h in less than 8 seconds.

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Clearance superb compared to conventional Class G 20 16 cm. Furthermore, the fording depth increased from 60 48 to 98 28 cm. In fact, all parameters that affect the ability to move in rough terrain abruptly increased, since overhang angle (36/27 degrees for G63, 50/45 for the 6x6), and to the corner of the longitudinal cross (21 degrees versus 50).

It has only 5, 79 m in length, 2 to 13 m in width and 2, 35 in height.

SUV is equipped with an additional fuel tank capacity of 50 liters, which is driven by the toggle switch located on the rear view mirror next to the control devices tire pressure, which increases the total amount of gasoline stocks up to 147 liters. This can give you an idea of the amount of fuel that consumes this thug.

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Now our favorite driver - a resident of Graz and Chief Instructor G-Wagen named Erwin Vonih. Why? Yes, because after only two minutes of being on the range for off-road test factory Magna Steyr, he began to make jumps on this six-wheeled monster. Imagine jumping on the 408-pound six-wheeled pickup.

Since the landfill was the usual team of photographers and cameramen ("Fine, but once more, please ...") - Erwin make jumps over and over again - jumping twenty in total. He then spent the car through the water obstacle depth of 1, 2 m, and then through a strip of boulders located under the most improbable angles. Then he allowed to sit behind the wheel of a journalist.

Behind the wheel, you have the feeling that you are sitting in a conventional car class G-Wagen, equipped with a lift kit. In a sense, the way it is. If you're familiar with portal axles, then you know the feeling jiggle. Then come into play 536 hp and 762 N / m torque - and you're in the air, like a hippopotamus over the waterfall. The best in this situation - to stop acting as if you are in a normal car class G-Wagen.

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Top speed is limited to 160 km / h, its achievement - not a problem for the motor AMG.

Limiting factor is the sensible portal axles. Six perforated brake discs Brembo help stop this edifice with quite adequate by braking. You can lock the differentials in high gears. This proved to be very useful when it is suddenly found that the car rides through the rutted section, overgrown with grass.

Conventional G-Wagen allow you to block any of the three differentials only at the lowest gear range. When a locked differential relatively weak four-wheel truck can reach speeds of up to 80, 4 km / h - less than half a fully blocked 6x6.

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It is worth mentioning that ...
... 6x6 model has five differentials.

Although it is somewhat confusing, but this is to understand. Transmission on a regular G-Wagen transmits torque to the transfer gearbox, which when blocked differentials it is distributed on a 50/50 front and rear beam axle.

When you turn on the first button locking differential, center differential locks and 31% of the torque is sent to the front axle. The remaining 69% of the time divided by a double rear axle differential. It is provided with a through PTO with chain drive, which transmits torque to the very rear axle, while the central-locking gear, so that the residual is distributed 31/42/27 from the front axle to the rear axle.

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For us it was the news that in order to get the sport driving mode, it is necessary not only to translate the transmission mode Sport (or in manual mode - Manual), but also the first button locking differential, thus distributing torque between the front and rear bridges 31/69 - standard for cars AMG. New systems AMG 4Matic models Class E and S are constant torque distribution 33/67. Surprisingly, the inclusion of the first button locking differential improves the "behavior" of the back of the G63 AMG 6x6.

To talk about the pleasure of driving. Pressing the second lock button activates the differential lock the two rear axles. The third button front differential lock, turning already has considerable opportunities SUV "super truck". It is worth noting that the key locks / unlocks the differentials are much faster than the standard G-Wagen.

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What we did not like?

A delay of portal bridges, in combination with some delay V8 engine with twin-turbo ...

... Means that if you get stuck on a pile of pebbles and in front of you waiting for recovery, you will be quite difficult to move off. Of course, you can simply reckless rush forward, because this car will overcome (jump, crush, destroy) all that is on its way.

We need to forget all your driving skills on the road and just keep the pedal depressed to the floor, climbing the slopes at an angle of 45 degrees. No adaptive cruise control.

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There is not even a plain old cruise control - they removed all.

It is inexplicable, but not even a rear view camera.

Now it is clear that complaints about the lack of a rear view camera is similar to the complaints of our predecessors in the 1970s and 80s, when they were moaning about the poor visibility at the Lamborghini Countach. As for the Lamborghini Countach, then the drivers have developed a special method - sit in the doorway when reversing. Perhaps the owners of this model 6x6 also has developed a special technique - just move through the Lamborghini, parked behind. When Axel Harries asked why there is no rear camera, he just laughed. Yes, we're just grasping at straws. How strange reflection that you get from the back window of the cabin, which makes you think that the car moving in front of you, actually reflected in your rearview mirror. Call it a sign that things are changing.

Did we mention Lamborghini Countach deliberately, because the automotive scale practical application of exotic cars, this model 6x6 parked in the vicinity of this greatest of all Lamborghini. One is a sports car, the second - an SUV, but both reach the limit, each in its field. You just can not help but admire them.

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When he first appeared on the roads Lamborghini Countach - people just stopped and stared at him, unable to look away from this masterpiece of Marcello Gandini (Italian automobile designer). The same will happen with this model G63 AMG 6x6. Surely, rich lucky ones who bought this the largest and most expensive toy AMG, will experience the moment of childish glee and wonder every time, going into his garage.

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