Mercedes G63 AMG 6X6

Mercedes have unveiled a monstrous new rugged off-roader with six wheels - their first since a similar model was produced for the Nazis in 1930s Germany.

The outrageous Mercedes G63 AMG 6x6 is a limited edition model based on the iconic G-Wagon.

It has been designed to have the off-road capabilities of a tank, accelerate like a hot hatch and provide the luxury feel of a limousine.

To give it brutal acceleration, Mercedes has replaced the standard G Wagon's 3-litre diesel engine with a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8.

The result is a 536bhp behemoth which is capable of 0-62mph in less than six seconds - despite measuring 19ft in length, weighing 3.85 tons.

Mercedes claims the 6x6 - which has 37 inch wheels - can negotiate rocky terrain with 'all the agility of a mountain goat', while fording a river is 'almost child's play'.

They add: 'Anyone exploring the on-road performance is certain to be impressed by the catapult-like acceleration of this 3.85-tonne pickup.'

However, the 6x6 comes with a massive £350,000 price-tag - making it the most expensive model in the Mercedes range and three-times as pricey as a typical G Wagon.

The off-roader, which is likely to be most popular in the Middle-East, will be limited to around 30 sales per year.

The new model is not the first six-wheel off-roader from the German firm, with Hitler owning eight during the Third Reich. 

The G4 was a heavy-duty off-road car Mercedes produced for the German army between 1934 and 1939. 

Mercedes built 57 G4s during this period with heads of state and top military brass regarding them as a 'prestige all-terrain vehicle'.

Rare: It is understood there are just three G4 models in existence which are absolutely authentic although other models have been rebuilt

Hitler was a huge fan and had eight of the six-wheeled cars, with a number located at his various castles around Germany. 

However, unlike the new Mercedes G63 AMG, the G4 wasn't six-wheel drive with power only sent to the rear four wheels. 

It is understood there are just three models in existence which are absolutely authentic although other models have been rebuilt. One of these models is owned by the Spanish royal family after Hitler gave it to General Franco in 1939.

Mercedes Ener-G-Force

Called the Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force Concept, this futuristic G-wagen has long-term operations in remote areas in mind. The Energ-G-Force is powered by recycled water stored in rooftop tanks which is then transferred to a “hydro-tech” system that converts the water and other resources into hydrogen fuel.

As with anything operating in remote areas, redundancy is key. The Ener-G-Force uses four wheel-mounted motors, which means that even if two motors die, you’ve still got enough power to limp along. In a nod to law enforcement, the amount of vulnerable glass is limited, protecting the occupants from unruly hippies and angry bears.

It’s a pretty cool concept, though not one I ever expect Mercedes to put on the road. But I’ve always enjoyed works of futurism, and this concept is no exception.

With this year’s design challenge calling for the ultimate law enforcement vehicle of 2025, Mercedes designers sketched that car, and the took it a step further with this civilian rendition of what the police machine could look like.

Using hydrogen fuel cells and a “hydro-tech converter” where “natural and renewable resources are converted into hydrogen for operating the fuel cells” the Ener-G-Force offers an emission free range of 500 miles an features independent electric motors in each wheel. A “Terra-Scan” topography scanner then scans the road ahead to determine spring and damper rates.