Tuned, Twin-Turbo Mercedes-Benz V63 Is One Wicked Quick Van
M177 swapped Mercedes-Benz V63 – as it’s now known – is one incredibly cool, incredible fast family hauler.
The Mercedes-Benz V-Class may not be a vehicle that we can buy in the U.S., but it’s an intriguing and somewhat strange offering, regardless. The van is one of the few M-B models that hasn’t received the coveted AMG treatment, which is somewhat of a shame, because we all know how cool hot rod vans can be – just take the R63, for example. However, the folks at GAD Motors are here to right that wrong with a proper engine swap – the M177 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which helps create what it calls the Mercedes-Benz V63, a rather potent family hauler, indeed.
Currently offered with a series of diesel engines that aren’t particularly exciting – none of them even reach the 300 hp mark, after all – the V-Class is obviously a utilitarian vehicle meant to haul families and cargo, not go fast. However, with an M177 under hood, this Mercedes-Benz V63 offers up the best of both worlds in that regard, though it’s a bit subtle on the outside, with only an AMG badge and a lowered suspension tipping off what’s going on beneath.
GAD has been tweaking its supervan for some time now, which previously churned out 585 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. However, in its current guise, the M177 produces an even healthier 650 horsepower, which is tamed by carbon-ceramic brakes and a fortified suspension. Further helping the cause is an all-wheel drive system and the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, which recently propelled this unassuming van to 155 miles-per-hour in the half-mile.
Even better, GAD managed to make its van comply with German emissions laws, and is now selling this particular swap for customers interested in securing their own twin-turbo V8-powered van. Born out of its own desire to have something a bit more fun to haul seven people around in, the V63 is absolutely a vehicle that Mercedes should make itself, but for now, at least there’s one outfit out there willing to do so.
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