612-Horsepower Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG SUV Will Be Produced, Report Confirms

2011-Mercedes-Benz-G550 Take one part engine from the S65 AMG sedan, one part G-Class retro SUV, and shake. We hear that the resulting cocktail–a bonkers, twin-turbo V-12, G65 AMG utility vehicle—will pack a 612-hp punch.

AutoEvolution reports that a source close to the automaker has confirmed that the Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG will receive a new heart in the form of the corporate 6.0-liter V-12 engine, which is also grafted into the S, CL, and SL-Class cars.

The engine makes 612 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission in the other cars. While Mercedes nor AutoEvolution could say if the G65 AMG will make any more or less power, we hear that the G-Class will be one of the first Mercs to use the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G Tronic transmission. Previously, the seven-speed lacked the capability of handling the twelve-cylinder’s torque.

As you can see from an earlier spy shot, expect all manner of tweaks other than the engine on the forthcoming G65 AMG, from brakes to aerodynamic kit additions, to wheels. All of this will reportedly cost around 222,000 Euro, or just over $290,000–the G65, then, is anything but cheap speed. If the price and power are too much for you, we hear that a G63 AMG, complete with a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 engine and 536 horsepower and a smaller price tag, is on its way as well.

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