2023 Mercedes-AMG G63 Performance

The previous-generation G63 was a fast car. It was almost comical the way it could sprint to 60 mph in just over five seconds. The current-generation G63 is not comical at all. It's a seriously fast machine that posts acceleration figures we associated with supercars ten years ago. Mercedes-AMG claims it will do the 0-60 mph run in just 4.5 seconds, but we know for a fact that it's faster than that.

With 577 horsepower and a monumental 627 lb-ft of torque from the engine, the G63 always feels fast. You have to concentrate extremely hard to notice the turbo lag. And the G63 wants to be driven fast. The first quarter of the throttle is reserved for lazy, linear power delivery. The last three quarters unleash a barking beast that forces you deep into the sumptuous leather seats. Overtaking power is astonishing and quite scary to those around you. The dual side exhausts are mounted on both sides of the vehicle, so if you overtake a slow, nervous driver, they get the full, in-your-face Gatling gun soundtrack. We're not even joking. The G63 is so loud that it makes people nervous. On more than one occasion, we could see someone diving to the ground while the G was gearing down. It's exceptionally antisocial.

One of the best V8s in modern history comes equipped as standard - a compact, hand-built 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8. Thanks to its hot-V configuration, the turbochargers are nestled neatly within the V. Figures peak at a satisfying 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. This rude amount of power is sent to a permanent four-wheel-drive system via a nine-speed AMG Speedshift transmission. The top speed is limited to 137 mph, or 149 mph when the AMG Driver's Package is equipped. This is probably for the best, as there aren't enough brakes in the world to slow this domesticated tank down from 180 mph.

While the power is impressive, the torque is the real hero. All of it is available from 2,500 rpm, and the gearbox does a splendid job of ensuring that it's always on hand when the G63 is on the move. The higher gears are reserved for cruising on the freeway. As much as we may love that glorious V8 soundtrack, it will drive you mad after an hour or so.

The G63 destroys gas. The fuel consumption is so bad you'd think the car has a personal vendetta against premium unleaded. Suffice to say that if you consider yourself an environmental activist in any way, avert your eyes now. The EPA-estimates for the G63 are 13/16/14 mpg for city/highway/combined. Show any kind of enthusiasm behind the wheel, and those gas mileage figures will drop to single digits. On the plus side, Mercedes-AMG equipped the G63 with a huge 26.4-gallon tank so you could get a reasonable 370 miles between refills.