By: Dave Abrahams
Centurion - Mercedes-Benz' exclusive G63 AMG Edition 463 off-roader, released in South Africa this week, leads a comprehensively revised G-Class range into 2016.
Power output ratings across the range have been increased and claimed fuel-consumption reduced, while uprated dampers and remapped ESP, traction control and ABS settings improve the ride, especially on tar.
The G63's 5.5-litre V8 now churns out a claimed 420kW (up 20kW) and 760Nm, good enough for a 0-100km/h getaway in 5.4 seconds - but it's the blingometer that really gets a boost on the Edition 463.
Start with AMG go-fast stripes along the sides, a protective-strip insert in black aluminium look, a stainless-steel bashplate and special 21 inch matt-black rims with polished spokes and 295/40 wide-base tyres.
Move inside to a two-tone instrument panel with redesigned instrument cluster, two-town leather seats with diamond-quilted centre panels, and side bolsters in leather embossed to look like carbon fibre.
The door panels are also diamond quilted, with contrasting top-stitching throughout.
The standard G63 also gets the uprated engine and suspension, as well as the new instrument cluster.
HOT(TER) DIESEL
The three-litre G350d V6 has had even more of a makeover; rated power is up from 155 to 180kW and torque from 540 to 600Nm. Time to the ton is down from 9.1 to 8.8 seconds and nominal fuel-consumption from 11.2 to 9.9 litres per 100km - mostly thanks to the idle-stop function that's now standard across the range.
The 7G-Tronic Plus auto transmission of the G350d now has an 'M' button and paddle-shifters - just like the G63 AMG - so you can make believe you're in charge of exactly when it changes gears.
Front and rear bumpers have been restyled to go with the (now standard) body colour wheel-arch flares, over new 18 inch five-spoked alloy rims.
Inside, there's a new 'two-tube' instrument cluster with a 4.5 inch multifunction display, and redesigned pointers and dials
WHAT HASN'T CHANGED
The G-Class retains its old-fashioned but undeniably sturdy ladder-frame chassis and separate body construction, as well as permanent all-wheel drive and low range gearbox with three differential locks, each of which can be engaged or released 'on the fly'.
PRICES (including VAT but not CO2 tax)
G350d - R1 418 000