Reliving TARDY TARDIS OF OFF-ROADERS CELEBRATES 55 YEARS

By CHRIS RILEY

Check out the ‘guns’ on this Mercedes-AMG G 63 Edition 55.

It’s one of three special editions to mark the 55th anniversary of the Mercedes go-fast brigade.

Edition 55 adds $29,900 to the already asking price of $365,091 for the standard G 63, making it just that much more exclusive.

Trouble is, even if you’ve got the readies to buy what could be described as the ultimate ‘bogan’ accessory – it could be a long wait because the standard G 63 remains out of stock.

Why? That’s a very good question. Someday Benz might actually reply to one of our emails -- God forbid return a phone call.

Originally designed as a military vehicle, the G-Class or G Wagen as it is often called, still occupies a ladder chassis like fair dinkum 4x4s and retains go anywhere capability – the AMG version perhaps less so.

And, a bit like Dr Who’s TARDIS, the rugged good looks hide a sumptuous interior with all the mod cons that will ft.

Standard kit includes Nappa leather, a leather-trimmed dash, microfbre roof liner, leather AMG Performance steering wheel, heated outer rear seats and a digital TV tuner – not to mention a 590-watt Burmester sound system and 64 shades of mood lighting.

The Edition 55 package ups the ante, with the addition of the Night Package and Night Package II.

This adds gloss black fnishes for the front splitter, trim elements on the louvres in the outer air intakes, plus the inserts in the AMG side sill panels, the beltline trim strip, the window line trim strip and the exterior mirror housings.

Tailpipe trims are fnished in black chrome, as are the louvres in the AMGspecifc radiator grille. Heat-insulating dark tinted glass is added, while model badges on the boot lid and wings in high-gloss black complete the exclusive appearance.

Matt carbon-fbre trim elements and the addition of AMG 22inch cross-spoke forged wheels underline the attitude.

Inside, the seats of the Edition 55 are fnished in distinctive red and black.

Powering the G 63 is a twin turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 430kW of power and 850Nm of new G-Class must conquer the Schöckl.

Benz uses the 1445-metre-high local mountain near the Austrian city of Graz as a test track.

The 5.6 km route includes gradients of up to 60 percent and lateral inclinations of up to 40 percent.

Mind you, introduced torque, in combination with a nine-speed auto.

There’s also an AMG performance selectable exhaust system, AMG dynamic select and AMG ride control.

Just like Jeep has the Rubicon Trail, every in 2018, this is only the second-generation G-Wagen.

Edition 55 went on sale February 7 and is available from Benz dealers and the Mercedes-Benz online showroom.