2006 Mercedes-Benz G55

Description

The Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen started out just how you'd think: a utilitarian truck for the worst corners of the world. Designed to be rugged, reliable, and as tenacious as a mountain goat, it wasn't until Americans fell in love with the SUV that it also became civilized. Then the guys at AMG got a hold of them and ended up with astounding machines like this 2006 G55, which apparently is able to defy the laws of physics.

The box-like shape is probably a big part of its appeal, and it hasn't changed in decades. It certainly makes a statement what with its flat windscreen, towering roof, and right angles, but if you're not quite brash enough to buy a Hummer, then perhaps this is the solution. The AMG version somehow took the world's brawniest Mercedes and made it even more muscle-bound, fortifying it with a deeper front bumper and wheel arch flares, along with a few other cosmetic upgrades that are supposed to make sense on a 500-horsepower box. Build quality is perhaps the best of all the many Mercedes-Benz models, and with its reputation for durability, there's probably nothing you can do to hurt it. The paint is luxury car brilliant and shows exactly what you got for $125,000, and with a chrome brush guard and a giant 3-pointed star in the middle of the grille, there's just no way you're going to pass unnoticed.

Inside this shiny black box is every comfort and convenience item known to Mercedes-Benz engineers, and the list is considerable. Those are the same black leather buckets you'd get in an S-Class sedan, the same warm wood steering wheel and sensible instruments, too. Working with all that space means stretch-out room is impressive, and for a vehicle that was never meant to be luxurious, this one sure gets it right because it's virtually silent inside despite the thumping supercharged V8 and upright greenhouse. Everything was standard, from power seats, windows, and locks to automatic climate control to a wondrous AM/FM/CD changer stereo with a navigation screen in the center of the dash. Three switches up high on the dash allow you to lock any or all of the three differentials for true go-anywhere traction that most modern SUVs can only envy from afar. Everythign is in excellent condition with signs of careful ownership and care and if you routinely carry, say, adult gorillas or pallets of concrete, then the fully carpeted cargo bay is just the right size.

Power comes from Mercedes' familiar 5.5-liter supercharged V8, which makes 500 horsepower and a towering 516 pounds of torque, all channeled through a 5-speed automatic transmission. The blown V8 is a tight fit in the G's engine bay, despite its great size (it was designed for inline-sixes), but thanks to typical Mercedes engineering, it'll run practically forever with proper care. It's tidy under the hood and doesn't look like it was ever a winter warrior up north, so no worries in that regard, and the chassis looks robust enough to support a railroad car. Performance is downright astounding, with the big V8 able to fling this 6000-pound box at insane velocities that 15 years ago were only achievable by 2-seat sports cars. The feeling really is uncanny. AMG's suspension locks it all down and it carries massive brakes behind those AMG-exclusive alloys which wear 285/55/18 radials.

The old saying goes that you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but as this G55 AMG proves, you can make one hell of a fast pig. Call today!