superset

::sniff:: The Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG is one of my favorite cars of all time. Period. It's the first thing I'll put in my dream garage. It's completely unreasonable with a design and chassis from the '70s, doors that make a bank vault feel flimsy, a nearly 7-foot height, serious four-wheel drive, barely-over-single-digit fuel economy (11 / 15) and a supercharged 5.5-liter V8 making 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Oh, and it costs $124,450.

Unfortunately, all of those numbers that make me love this goofy rocket-powered tank are the reasons that nobody outside of Beverly Hills buys one. And so, the G55 is leaving the US for the 2012 model year. I'm thinking of pouring a barrel of oil on the curb for my fallen friend.

To make up for this, Mercedes-Benz has announced two special edition Gs that, like the G55, are for Europe only.

First up is the BA3 Final Edition based on the SWB station wagon and, as the name implies, signals the end of that vehicle. It will be available with either a 388-hp (G500) 5.5-liter V8, or a 211-horsepower G350 BlueTec six-cylinder diesel. The BA3 also features AMG wheel arches, light alloy wheels, AMG radiator grille, chrome lights and a spare tire cover with 3D (!) Mercedes-Benz Star.

The next edition is the "Edition Select" LWB model which has a two-tone exterior with special bumpers, AMG side flaps and mirrors, 18-inch light alloy wheels, AMG sports exhaust and two-tone interior.

http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...nced.html#more

ATKM5

BUT.....what...about the 5.5L TT?????

jimmyg

Production and sales of an AMG G-Class (LWB) will continue through the 2015 model outside the US. In fact, the G55 was only just launched in India two months ago. Dealers in the Middle East are accepting deposits for 2012 models and suggesting it has been upgraded to the new 5.5L TT engine. I'm not sure what MBUSA is planning.

Details of the 2012 model will be announced next month and production will start in September.

ATKM5

This gives me hope!

Behike

Time to buy another G55

Maverick1975

The G55 has this only just been released in Australia this year, finally

emayer

I heard from a dealer that the MY 2012 will not be available in the US but is anticpated to return in 2013 with the new revision. Can anyone confirm this?

jimmyg

Confirmed by MBUSA that there will be no 2012 G55 in the US, only the G550. They haven't said anything about after, but my guess is it will be back with the new 5.5TT engine.

ATKM5

Fingers crossed...

ChrisD63

I spoke to an AMG rep at the latest New York Auto Show and asked him about the G55. When i brought up the topic of the 5.5L Biturbo V8 going into the new G55 he sort of smiled and ignored the question while saying he can't mention anything. This made me think that there must be a good chance that the new engine will in fact be going into the car. Not sure exactly when but i really dont think it MB will stop bringing the G-class into the US....Especially considering the fact that there are rumors that Land Rover will be bringing back the Defender into their current model lineup. I know there is a lot of people that say the sound of engine/exhaust note of the current G55 cannot be replaced, and even though i agree with that statement, the new engine does sound fantastic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAj-bnQMrUg (Fast forward to 0:33)

Behike

The new 5.5TT does sounds good but I think there is more to a car and its engine than the way it sounds. I heard that the new 5.5TT performs poorly in high altitude regions. I like the kompressor on the G55. I can't get used to the idea of having 2 small turbos on it instead.

ChrisD63

I was under the impression that F/I cars actually run better in high altitude regions. Maybe i'm wrong but is this something an owner of a benz with the new engine experienced?

sprins

The G55 may be killed off, but long live the G63 that will follow it up!

GMW

I thought the G-class will continue till 2025 due to military contracts from NATO? I read about this in a recent car mag. Either Autocar or TopGear. The G55 Kompressor might be replaced with the bi-turbo but as far as I know the 2012 has a Kompressor too.

RBYCC

Engine intake doesn't know what is producing the boost...
If there is a known problem with the TT then it's in the engine management.
Boost is boost and supercharger or turbo will perform the same at altitude with all else being equal...

P.S.

Turbo's be they small or large net more power then a supercharger as the have no parasitic drive loss.....

Jakpro1

Sorry to you G guys. I raced a G55 for fun and the sound was just incredible side by side. The greatest sounding 55Komp engine ever with that short exhaust!

Here hoping for a TT G Wagon someday.

nyc123

I have posted many times on this board that there will be no g55 for 2012 but that does not mean the G is leaving the US, as the 2013 model will just get the newer motor

CakeDaddy

G63! The hell with that engine! In my opinion the 6.3 engines shouldn't boast the AMG emblems



Now, as for all of this "end of the G55" propaganda We've been having the same talks since 2007-2010 Gimme a break.

RBYCC

So in your mind the 6.3 is not worthy of an AMG emblem..
And you own what???

CakeDaddy

Exactly! In my mind it doesn’t deserve an AMG emblem, but that's just me! Now, I’m not going to get into a pissing contest about what I own because it's none of your business right now, plus I'm not in a mood to show case what I own. Do a search! Now, I will tell you that I've considered moving from the true 5.5AMG kompressor into the newer 6.3 non compressed engine. I live in a high altitude area where the 6.3 is worthless.

The wife and I tested 2 different 6.3 engines on two different occasions(sp) & we both looked at each other in disgust after the test and as soon as I jumped back into the 5.5AMG compressor.....the difference was clearly felt

sprins

One of the limited editions will apparently be a G65 AMG V12.

Behike

source

I thought the only 2 editions will be the BA3 Final Edition and Edition Select (based on link in OP).

RBYCC

Not asking for a "pissing contest" as you crudely state..
Asked what you own/drive to get an idea from where your statement comes...
So knowing that your conclusion is based on you and your wife doing a few test drives and "googling"
It makes your comment about the 6.3 very weak as you have no true first hand knowledge.

I don't have to "do a search" to gain knowledge of the 6.3 as you do..
Just need to walk to my garage...
As a current owner of a G55K and a CLK63 Black Series, I would attest that the 6.3 NA in the Black Series owns the AMG emblem and probably is a bit too much for you and your wife !!

sprins

Just remember who told you first when it becomes official

CakeDaddy

....and the pissing begins.

My point was simple. The 6.3 engine is lacking compared to the AMG's 5.5 kompressor engines in some high altitude areas,e.g. WY,ID,NM,NV & CO. I've read about it on this forum, I heard it from the dealers, and I've tested it myself and came to the same conclusion, so with that being said......I have all the first hand knowledge I need. Period! I'm not a fan of this engine, especially if they drop it in the G for 2012-2013