The Mercedes-Benz G-class was reintroduced last week with a facelift for 2013 along with an announcement detailing the AMG performance version, of which pictures are now available. 

The 2013 G63 AMG will be powered by a bi-turbo V8 that makes 544 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque and should get an average of 17 mpg. This marks a 20-hp increase from the last G55 AMG model, which the G63 is replacing.

Although the overall style and stance of the G-Class remains largely the same, the G63 receives a new front bumper with large cooling ducts, a double slat front grille, five spoke AMG alloy wheels and side exiting exhaust pipes.

The G63 AMG, although powerful, will be topped by a G65 AMG which will use a V12 engine making 603 hp. The G65 however will not be making its way to the U.S., leaving the G63 AMG as our only option for a sports performance G-class.

Expect the G63 to cost €137,504, or about $180,000.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG

Last week, Mercedes-Benz teased everyone by slipping in photos of its newly refreshed G-Class in its GLK press photos. But now the real news is out, albeit not officially confirmed by the German automaker, that the G-Class will see a G63 and G65 model variant.

The current G-Class standard engines will be retained for the 2013 model year, which includes the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 with 383 hp and the 3.0-liter V6 diesel with 208 hp. Apparently the diesel engine will make its first appearance on American soil with the 2013 model year.

The G55 however will be replaced by the G63, powered by AMG’s 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 536 hp. That’s good, but better still, the new top-of-the-line G65 AMG will feature the same 6.0-liter V12 engine seen in the SL65 AMG. That means we’ll be seeing G-Class models packing 621 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque.

The G65 AMG will be the first G-Class model to ever come with a V12 engine. AMG models will also feature more aggressive front-end designs and larger brakes. The new G-Class will also benefit from Mercedes-Benz’s new seven-speed 7G-tronic gearbox. Two wheelbase forms will continue to be available on the G-Class model; standard of 94.5 inches and a long wheelbase model of 112.2 inches.

[Source: The Passing Lane]