If you’re someone who thinks a lot is not enough, IMSA has got the vehicle for you. It’s taken the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to a new mountaintop of power.
Of course, the tuner has worked on the G-Wagen’s body, too. IMSA’s developed a 16-piece body kit, which includes the front air inlets, fender flares, running boards, and rear bumper, for the hardcore off-roader. Those parts sit above 11 × 22-inch wheels wrapped in 305/40R22 tires.
The interior’s back bench seat has been replaced by two individual seats separated by a center console with controls for various comfort features.
IMSA’s given the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 “proprietary … turbochargers, a complete exhaust system with downpipes, sports cats and exhaust pipes, an [sic] charge air cooler and engine map optimization.” Those tweaks enable the already powerful engine – which makes 536 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque in stock form – to crank out 730 horsepower and 763 lb-ft.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
