Mercedes-Benz's in-house tuning company has been working its magic on the venerable G-Wagen. With a new supercharged 5.5-litre AMG engine the car now has 500 HP and 700 Nms of torque at its disposal. That's 24 HP more than its predecessor and means the G 55 AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds (preceding model: 5.6 s) and on to a maximum speed (electronically limited) of 210 km/h / 155 mph.

The increase in output from 350 kW/476 hp to 368 kW/500 hp is due to an enhanced and retuned engine control unit. The supercharged 5.5-litre AMG engine generates its maximum torque of 700 newton metres between 2750 and 4000 rpm. The AMG sports exhaust system with its two oval twin tailpipes emerging at an angle in front of the rear wheels, as well as the characteristic AMG V8 sound, provide ample visual and acoustic indications of the power to be expected of the G 55 AMG Kompressor.



In addition to permanent all-wheel drive with a low-range gearbox, the standard equipment includes the electronic traction system for all-wheel drive 4ETS, the Electronic Stability Program ESP® and differential locks which can be engaged at the touch of a button. Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, has been producing the G-Class on behalf of Mercedes-Benz since 1979, with more than 186,000 examples built to date.

Visually, the new model year G 55 AMG is distinguishable from its predecessor by 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels painted in titanium grey with 285/55 R 18 wide-base tyres. The standard appointments now include bi-xenon headlamps, oval foglamps with a cornering light function and ISOFIX child seat attachments in the second seat row. The more scratch resistant, nano-technology based paint finishes of calcite white, periclase green metallic and teallite blue metallic are also new.

The top-of-the-line model in the G-Class is available only as a five-door Station Wagon with a long wheelbase, and may be ordered in Mercedes-Benz sales outlets with immediate effect. The selling price is 113,332 EUR (incl. 16% VAT), and customer deliveries will commence in September 2006.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: DaimlerChrysler