G-wagon’s Sublime Swan Song - the Mercedes-AMG G65 Final Edition

By Ané Theron

Nothing (good) lasts forever, this we know. Just like Land Rover said goodbye to their venerable Defender with some truly special heritage editions, Mercedes is sending off their majestic G-Class (or Geländewagen) with fireworks, white doves  and Dom Perignon, and, as their piѐce de rėsistance: the Mercedes-AMG G65 Final Edition.

A final, fabulous farewell

After having the G-Class around on Planet Earth for nearly 40 years, we expected the final edition to be quite something - and the German automaker does not disappoint with its most recent reveal.

The Mercedes-AMG G65 Final Edition will be limited to only 65 units worldwide, and every single one is sure to become a coveted collector’s item. One thing’s for sure - you won’t be late for your son’s soccer match at St John’s College with a whopping 463 kW and 1000 Nm of torque available from its gargantuan six-litre, twin-turbo V12 engine! From standstill, it will hurl the driver and its other occupants to a 100 kilometres per hour in only 5.3 seconds, before topping out at 230 km per hour, due to its mandatory electronic restrictions. As if the Autobahn has a speed limit!

Drop-dead gorgeous exterior design

On the design front, the G65 Final Edition has been enhanced with bronze 21-inch 5-twinspoke alloy wheels, complemented with silver brake callipers and AMG Sport trim strips on the side. Other areas coated with this sexy matte bronze include the side mirrors, and the front skid plate. The stylish Obsidian black spare wheel cover also benefits from a strip of the beautifying bronze treatment, and so does the edging of the radiator grille.

Wallflowers need not put their name on the waiting list, because you’ll be sure to attract all kinds of green-eyed attention. Overall, we think it looks the business!

Glamour for days

You can rest assured that the interior quality hasn’t been skimped on either - ‘opulence’ is the design keyword here, despite being hailed as one of the toughest 4x4s that money can buy - as at home hanging safely upside down from cliffs, as it is parked next to the helipad at your Clifton 3rd Beach property. This G-wagon has the best of both!

The Mercedes-AMG G65 Final Edition is endowed with the Exclusive package featuring the highest of high-end black Nappa leather with brown topstitching. Even the floor mats have leather edges.

There’s also a smattering of carbon fibre trim elements throughout the cabin, that underline the G65’s sporty intent and demeanour.

Splurge, if you can?

As you can imagine, the Mercedes-AMG 65 Final Edition won’t come cheap. The Exclusive Edition was not inexpensive to begin with, at 257 658 EUR (just north of 4.5 million bucks), but the Final Edition is going to set back the private jet-set at least 310 233 EUR. Shall we convert this figure to Rands? We do hope you’re sitting down: R 5 885 135. We reckon it’s not a bad investment...

Image credits: AG Daimler