AMG G63 Races a Suzuki Jimny through the Mud

Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 is untouchable throughout the race, showing that it isn’t just a mall crawler.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 is, without question, one of the greatest premium sport utility vehicles in the world, but many people accuse the high performance machine of lacking off-road credentials.  Realistically, few G63 owners buy them looking to spend lots of time charging through the woods and as a result, the G-machine is often grouped in with other premium SUVs as being a “mall crawler”.

Fortunately, this video from the carwow YouTube channel shows that the Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 can handle itself in all sorts of off-road conditions. Its capabilities are displayed at the Lockwell Hill Activity Center in the United Kingdom, as the twin turbocharged luxury SUV takes on the tiny, inexpensive Suzuki Jimny in what host Mat Watson calls a “race”.

AMG versus Suzuki

The competitors in the video above are a new Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 and a new Suzuki Jimny. Both are sport utility vehicles, but they are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum.

The G63 is powered by a twin turbocharged, V8 that delivers 585 horsepower and 850 newton-meters of torque (627 lb-ft), with all of that power being channeled to all four wheels by means of an advanced four-wheel-drive system. Being chock full of premium amenities in addition to the turbocharged V8 and the advanced four-wheel-drive system, the G63 is heavy, tipping the scales at more than 5,000 pounds.

The Suzuki Jimny is powered by a naturally aspirated, 1.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers 100 horsepower and 96 lb-ft of torque. The Jimny also has four-wheel-drive, but it is a much simpler system. The Suzuki also lacks many of the interior features of the Benz, allowing it to be considerably lighter, weighing less than half as much as the AMG.

Will that considerable weight difference allow the Jimny to make up for the gigantic power gap?

No, not at all, but this “race” makes for great video of the AMG G63 flexing its off-road muscles.

The Big Race

After the vehicle introduction, the race begins, but it is practically over as soon as it starts. The power of the AMG allows it to jump out to a big lead at the start and from there, the Jimny can only try to play catch-up. The twin turbocharged V8 allows the G63 to be considerably faster in every situation, so even in the tightest spots of the off-road course, the Jimny can only close the gap until the Benz gets to another straight stretch. Even in deep water, the G63 powers through and pulls away from the Suzuki.

Of course, the Mercedes easily crushes the Jimny on this muddy road course, but don’t focus so much on the competition. Instead, look at how nicely the AMG G63 handles all of the off-road obstacles with speed.

Join the MB World forums now!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

Facebook   Twitter