{"id":195584,"date":"2017-02-13T00:01:47","date_gmt":"2017-02-12T23:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/?p=195584"},"modified":"2017-03-04T10:20:02","modified_gmt":"2017-03-04T09:20:02","slug":"mercedes-maybach-g650-landaulet-first-impressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/2017\/02\/13\/mercedes-maybach-g650-landaulet-first-impressions\/","title":{"rendered":"First Impression: Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well into its 38th year, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is more successful than ever. Originally conceived as a military vehicle, with the civilian version little more than an afterthought, it has become a fashion item par excellence, coveted by the rich and famous all over the globe.<\/p>\n

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It’s a tough act to top a G-Wagen (or G-Class, as the Daimler marketing guys insist). In fact, the only way it can be accomplished is by creating an even more extreme version of the same car. In 2013, the G63 6×6 AMG took away the auto community’s breath; well over 100 were built, far beyond projections. In 2015, Daimler fitted the G500 with the new, AMG-GT-derived 4.0-liter V-8, and added the Unimog- and 6×6-inspired portal axles. But this year’s masterpiece, while devoid of a third axle, has set out to beat them all: Meet the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet.<\/p>\n

The model designation already gives away part of the story: The engineers stretched the wheelbase by 22.8 inches, took the portal axles of the aforementioned special editions, added the “first-class” rear compartment of the Maybach S-Class, and fitted an updated version of the power-operated fabric top that was purged from the regular lineup four years ago. The engine under the hood dwarfs both the G63 6×6 and the 4×4-square: This G-Wagen is fitted with the ultra-powerful 6.0-liter V-12 that powers the AMG G65. <\/p>\n\r\n