Mercedes-AMG is bringing serious visual drama to the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) with the introduction of the Mercedes-AMG G 63 and Mercedes-AMG G 65 Exclusive Edition. Positioned right at the apex of the storied Geländewagen family tree, these two off-road flagships take the unmistakable W463 silhouette and furnish it with bespoke styling details, specialized wheel packages, and hand-finished cabin appointments from the designo catalog. Far from softening the character of Affalterbach’s heaviest hitters, the Exclusive Edition treatment sharpens their presence, accentuating the rugged bodywork while layering on the kind of bespoke craftsmanship normally reserved for high-end luxury saloons.
Few vehicles carry the cultural weight or mechanical stubbornness of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Originally developed as an unyielding military off-roader with three manually lockable differentials and solid live axles front and rear, it has spent four decades refusing to conform to typical automotive lifecycles. Yet when Mercedes-AMG transformed the classic off-roader into an asphalt-devouring muscle machine, it established a subculture all its own. With the Frankfurt show opening its doors, the G 63 and G 65 Exclusive Edition arrive to celebrate that legacy, combining brutal powerplants with exclusive cosmetic execution.
Styling and Exterior Upgrades: Purposeful Detailing
Visually, the Exclusive Edition sets itself apart through subtle yet unmistakable enhancements designed to accentuate the vehicle’s upright, functional geometry. Up front and beneath the rocker panels, an underride guard fashioned from genuine stainless steel provides rugged underbody protection while giving both SUVs a more planted, armored stance. Along the lower flanks run dedicated AMG racing stripes, accompanied by protective side rub strips with insert trims finished in a dark aluminum look. Buyers seeking a darker motorsport contrast can also opt for exterior rub strip inserts finished in an authentic carbon-fiber look.
At the back, Mercedes-AMG has addressed a detail long requested by G-Wagen traditionalists and bespoke collectors alike: for the first time, the heavy-duty rear spare wheel cover is painted directly in the vehicle body color rather than left in traditional chrome or raw trim. This unified finish lends the rear tailgate a cleaner, more cohesive profile, accentuating the broad track and square proportions.
Color choice plays an integral role in defining the Exclusive Edition’s road presence. While buyers remain free to order any standard, metallic, or special paint finish from the extensive Mercedes-Benz color catalog, AMG has introduced a distinctive signature hue reserved solely for this release: AMG Monza grey magno. This matt-finish paint creates a satin, non-reflective sheen across the flat body panels, emphasizing the razor-sharp body creases, exposed door hinges, and external drip rails that give the W463 its unmistakable identity.
Staggering Rolling Stock: 21-Inch AMG Light-Alloy Wheels
To fill the squared-off wheel arches and complement the squared proportions, Mercedes-AMG equips both variants with large 21-inch light-alloy wheels paired with wide, low-profile performance rubber sized at 295/40 R 21 on all four corners. Despite the shared tire dimensions, Affalterbach provides each engine tier with a dedicated aesthetic signature.
The V8 biturbo Mercedes-AMG G 63 comes standard with striking 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels finished in matt black, contrasted by high-sheen polished outer surfaces. The monstrous V12 biturbo Mercedes-AMG G 65 steps up to ceramically polished light-alloy wheels in the same 5-twin-spoke geometry, providing a deep, mirror-like luster that telegraphs the car‘s flagship Twelve-cylinder pedigree. For those desiring an even more aggressive street look, both models can be optionally ordered with 53.3-centimeter (21-inch) 5-twin-spoke alloy wheels finished in gloss black with high-sheen turned rim flanges. The externally mounted rear spare wheel retains a full-size spare tire sized 265/55 R 19, tucked neatly inside the body-colored hard cover.
Two Distinct Powertrains: V8 Biturbo vs Twin-Turbocharged V12
Beneath the steel bonnet, the Exclusive Edition maintains the mechanical specifications that established these two G-Class monsters as automotive anomalies. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 relies on AMG’s proven M157 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine, churning out 420 kW (571 hp) and a colossal 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) of torque. Channeled through the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, this thundering V8 pushes the 2.5-tonne brick of steel from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds, accompanied by a guttural side-pipe bark that echoes off nearby buildings.
For buyers who accept no substitutes in cylinder count, the Mercedes-AMG G 65 Exclusive Edition packs the titanic M279 6.0-liter V12 biturbo. Hand-assembled in Affalterbach, this twin-turbocharged powerhouse generates 463 kW (630 hp) and an immense 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque. Backed by its own heavy-duty AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission, the G 65 sprints from rest to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 230 km/h (143 mph). Despite the colossal power outputs, both models preserve their uncompromising off-road hardware: a robust ladder-type box frame, permanent all-wheel drive, a low-range transfer case, and the G-Wagen’s signature three 100 percent locking differentials selectable on the center console.
A Hand-Finished Cabin: designo Exclusive Appointments
While the mechanical platform remains pure military hardware, the interior of the Exclusive Edition represents the very pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz passenger luxury. Factory standard on both models is the prestigious designo Exclusive package. On the G 63, this brings a fully two-tone leather-trimmed dashboard that softens the upright instrument architecture with supple, hand-stitched hides. In the G 65, the instrument cluster surround and dashboard elements receive matching premium leather treatment as standard.
Driver and passengers sit in heavily contoured AMG sports seats wrapped in two-tone leather upholstery. Mercedes-AMG offers buyers two distinct interior themes. The first theme features two-tone designo Nappa leather in a choice of six vibrant color pairings combined with black: Sand, Classic Red, Saddle Brown, Silk Beige, Mocha Brown, or Deep Sea Blue. Each combination features coordinating contrast stitching that highlights the panels.
The alternative theme provides two-tone seats in designo Nappa leather across three color choices—Porcelain, Black, or Light Brown—paired with seat side bolsters trimmed in black carbon leather. This carbon leather treatment adds a technical, weave-textured surface to high-wear contact zones, bridging luxury and motorsport. In both seating variants, the seat center panels and inner door panels feature an intricate diamond quilt pattern, lending the upright cabin a coachbuilt atmosphere.
Comfort and Individualization from designo manufaktur
Long-distance grand touring comfort is significantly elevated through the inclusion of the Seat Comfort package as standard equipment on the Exclusive Edition. This package outfits both driver and front passenger seats with active multicontour adjustment and multi-stage seat climate control (both heating and active seat ventilation). The multicontour pneumatic bladders in the side bolsters, lumbar support, and thighs allow occupants to fine-tune seat geometry for spirited tarmac driving or long cross-country journeys.
For interior trim finishers across the center console and grab rails, customers can choose between lightweight AMG carbon-fiber trim or deep black designo piano lacquer at no extra cost. Further tailored customization is available through the specialized designo manufaktur personalization program. Available options include striking red designo seat belts, roof headliner grab handles upholstered in smooth black leather, and a two-tone AMG Performance steering wheel color-matched to the chosen interior seat leather.
Market Pricing and Show Premiere
Making their public debut under the lights of the IAA Cars 2017 exhibition in Frankfurt, the two Exclusive Edition variants command entry figures that reflect their bespoke appointments and handcrafted assembly. In Germany, pricing including 19 percent VAT starts at 163,125.20 euros for the Mercedes-AMG G 63 Exclusive Edition. The Twelve-cylinder Mercedes-AMG G 65 Exclusive Edition tops the ladder at 287,658.70 euros.
For buyers who view the G-Class not merely as transport but as an uncompromising statement of engineering character and bespoke handcraftsmanship, the Exclusive Edition packages represent the definitive iteration of this generation’s off-road icons.
Vehicle data
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Make | Mercedes-AMG |
| Model | G 63 Exclusive Edition |
| Generation / chassis code | W463 |
| Model year(s) covered | 2018 |
| Body style | 5-door SUV / off-roader |
| Powertrain / engine | 5.5-liter (5,461 cc) twin-turbocharged V8 (M157) |
| Power / torque | 420 kW (571 hp) @ 5,500 rpm / 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) @ 1,750–5,250 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic (AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC) |
| Drivetrain | Permanent all-wheel drive, transfer case with low range, 3 locking differentials |
| Key performance figures | 0–100 km/h in 5.4 s; Top speed: 210 km/h (electronically limited) |
| Price (as stated) | 163,125.20 euros (German market, incl. 19% VAT) |
| On-sale / announcement period | September 2017 (IAA Frankfurt premiere) |
| Market | Europe / Global |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Make | Mercedes-AMG |
| Model | G 65 Exclusive Edition |
| Generation / chassis code | W463 |
| Model year(s) covered | 2018 |
| Body style | 5-door SUV / off-roader |
| Powertrain / engine | 6.0-liter (5,980 cc) twin-turbocharged V12 (M279) |
| Power / torque | 463 kW (630 hp) @ 5,000–5,300 rpm / 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) @ 2,300–4,300 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic (AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC) |
| Drivetrain | Permanent all-wheel drive, transfer case with low range, 3 locking differentials |
| Key performance figures | 0–100 km/h in 5.3 s; Top speed: 230 km/h (electronically limited) |
| Price (as stated) | 287,658.70 euros (German market, incl. 19% VAT) |
| On-sale / announcement period | September 2017 (IAA Frankfurt premiere) |
| Market | Europe / Global |