Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6

[Mosby]

-snip-

The AMG engineers swapped the drivetrain from the G63 AMG, featuring a 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V-8 good for 536 hp, mated to a seven-speed transmission, good enough to hustle the 8,300-lb. juggernaut to 60 mph in about six seconds. Inside, there's room for four passengers to ride in a tableau of luxury, from the quilted white leather seats and carbon-fiber accented dash to the bamboo-lined cargo area.

As for the six wheels, they're not just for show. AMG splits the torque 30/40/30 among the axles from front to rear for maximum traction, with locking differentials for all 37-inch wheels; the 6x6 can ford water more than three feet deep and its 52-degree approach angle means it will climb most anything short of a sheer cliff face. For desert travels, the tires can be inflated and deflated from a panel in the cabin.

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/mercedes-benz-reveals-g63-amg-6-6-six-173918528.html

[JohnnyRingo]

1. Filling the hole left by the demise of the Hummer.

Except I'm not sure how big that hole is.

Price will mean everything for this monster because it's very purpose built. When one realizes how little they need a Grand Cherokee on the suburban streets, this thing is 10 times as unnecessary, and there are just so many rap videos made a typical year.

Maybe they have a global military contract in the backroom.

[bluedigger]

4. Not exactly.

"...Mercedes plans to build about 20 to 30 of these behemoths starting in October for a price just below the $457,000 ..."

Who knows if one will even make it to North America.

[AndyA]

2. Conspicuous consumption is tacky these days.

Besides, it's ugly and it's not American.

[Mosby]

3. I suspect that their target customer lives in the Persian gulf.