Performance Review: Mercedes G Class 65 AMG - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes G Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes G Class 65 AMG is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.This particular Mercedes G Class has a 5980cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The G Class shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the G Class's All Wheel Drive, SUV combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2580 kgs (5687 lbs) this makes the Mercedes G Class 65 AMG in the same weight category as the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 6.2 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes G Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp)

In terms of power the 5980cc 36V V12 engine produces 604 bhp (450 kW) @ 4300 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V12 throws out 738 lb-ft (1000.5 Nm) @ 2300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (726 lb-ft) or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (715 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes G Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 BMW 6 Series M6 Convertible 2d SMG E64 (259.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes G Class.

The Mercedes G Class has a Power to weight ratio of 234.1 bhp per ton and 286.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 G Class competing with the 2005 BMW 6 Series M6 Convertible 2d SMG E64 (259.0 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Fisker Tramonto 5.4 V8 (258.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes G Class generating around 286.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2014 Ferrari Sergio 4.5 V8 Roadster (310.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 (310.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Mercedes G Class 65 AMG as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs). This Mercedes G Class 65 AMG is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the G Class and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes G Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.82 secs @ 106.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (12.80 secs), the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), and the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Mercedes G Class 65 AMG has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 G Class equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Mercedes G Class 65 AMG then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

2012 G Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison