Limited-run G-wagon locked in for early 2024 as Mercedes-Benz prepares to call time on the G 500
Another Mercedes-AMG G 63 special-edition has been revealed and just 1000 units of them will be produced globally, including an unspecified number for Australia – despite the fact the G 63 remains sold-out here due to overwhelming demand.
Local pricing for the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Grand Edition, which will arrive Down Under in the first quarter of 2024, has not been revealed, but it will be more than the standard G 63, pricing for which rose by more than $50,000 to $365,900 plus on-road costs in July 2022.
Grand Edition upgrades are headlined by a unique black and gold colourway in which gold accents and gold 22-inch forged alloy wheels contrast against a black body.
Said to accentuate the G wagon’s heritage-rich styling, the gold accents comprise rhomboid door stripes that some might recognise as the AMG logo, front and rear badging, bumper inserts, bonnet emblem and the external edge of the spare wheel cover.
The black and gold theme continues within the cabin, where occupants are initially greeted by illuminated black door sills before clambering into black Nappa leather-upholstered seats sporting gold stitching and piping.
Plaques with a gold AMG logo and gold edging are set into the backrests and are complemented by the matching floor mats.
Nappa leather also adorns the roof grab handles, while the bulk of interior trim bits are carbon-fibre with copper threading.
No changes have been made to any of the G 63’s mechanical or chassis componentry, which means the boxy off-road luxury SUV still churns out 430kW/850Nm courtesy of its twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8.
“The Mercedes-AMG G 63 is now also undoubtedly regarded as an automotive icon and demonstrates its unique position among performance off-road vehicles partly through its powerful drive, the AMG Ride Control suspension and the AMG-specific driving programs,” said Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Schiebe.
“The exclusive interior and extensive equipment further underscore the singular and special nature of this strong-spirited SUV.
“With the expressive and limited Grand Edition, we are celebrating the success story of the G 63, which is far from over.”
But while the G 63 is set to live on for a while yet, time is about to be called on the lesser Mercedes-Benz G 500, a ‘Final Edition’ of which has just been revealed in Europe.
Limited to 1500 units and designed as a 30th birthday celebration for the original V8-powered G-Class, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 500 Final Edition won’t be coming to Australia, where the current G 500 has never been available.
Still, the limited-run special will be available in its selected markets with the option of three colours – Obsidian Black, Opalith White Magno and Olive Magno – and a bunch of exclusive badging, trim bits and standard toys.
As per tradition for any 500-badged Mercedes product over the past few decades, the G 500 is powered by a watered-down version of the full-fat AMG V8, which in this case develops 310kW/610Nm.
The G-Class will be replaced the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQG off-road beast in 2024, but it’s yet to be officially confirmed for Australia.
Keyword: Mercedes-AMG G 63 Grand Edition headed to Oz