• Car and Driver test numbers for the new M278 twin turbo V8 powered 2013 G550 - 14.6@94

                    
      		   
      Published on 12-10-2012 07:31 AM
      8 Comments Comments
      The G-Class is somewhat of an antique yet it continues to be a model that evolves over time. The new direct injected V8's finding their way under the hood is a good example. With the new efficiency and grunt the G-Class immediately improves. So what does the $113,905 base price in the G550 get you? A 388 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque M278 Twin Turbo and direct injected V8 which propels the 5689 brick through the 1/4 mile at 14.6@94 miles per hour.


      0-60 comes in 5.9 seconds. Not exactly a very good price for performance ratio. Not exactly a very good price period but the G-Class isn't supposed to be affordable. The new V8 clearly provides some extra grunt but Car and Driver observed 12 miles per gallon out of it. Not exactly a huge efficiency boost as intended with a turbo direct injected motor.

      What about the road holding? Still poor, at .56g on the skidpad. The G550 is big, heavy, expensive, and has the aerodynamics of a brick. It's hard not to love.

      This article was originally published in forum thread: Car and Driver test numbers for the new M278 twin turbo V8 powered 2013 G550 - 14.6@94 started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 8 Comments
      1. LZH's Avatar
        LZH - 12-10-2012, 12:19 PM
        I drove my buddies new G63 and was amazed at how well it handled and how good the ride was compared to previous models. So much so it had me under the car looking for airbags. I was also amazed at how linear the power deliver was - no turbo lag that I could tell. A fantastic car, but still not something I would want to drive around daily. However, the new interior is very, very nice and comfortable.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 12-10-2012, 12:21 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by LZH Click here to enlarge
        I drove my buddies new G63 and was amazed at how well it handled and how good the ride was compared to previous models. So much so it had me under the car looking for airbags. I was also amazed at how linear the power deliver was - no turbo lag that I could tell. A fantastic car, but still not something I would want to drive around daily. However, the new interior is very, very nice and comfortable.
        It's a sweet truck but still an old platform and not really performance oriented. But super damn cool nevertheless and I'm glad they build it.

        G63 must have run him a pretty penny.
      1. m54b25's Avatar
        m54b25 - 12-10-2012, 01:50 PM
        It's a true offroader & it's used by the military in some parts of the world! Try that with any BMW X series veh. & it will fail off roading.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 12-10-2012, 01:55 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by m54b25 Click here to enlarge
        It's a true offroader & it's used by the military in some parts of the world! Try that with any BMW X series veh. & it will fail off roading.
        Definitely true it has some serious off road capability.
      1. m54b25's Avatar
        m54b25 - 12-10-2012, 01:59 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Definitely true it has some serious off road capability.
        I am sure a tune will drop a full second & 10 mph on the 1/4 mile very surely =)
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 12-10-2012, 02:00 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by m54b25 Click here to enlarge
        I am sure a tune will drop a full second & 10 mph on the 1/4 mile very surely =)
        Wonder if you guys could get a G63 AMG into the 10's...
      1. m54b25's Avatar
        m54b25 - 12-10-2012, 04:16 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Wonder if you guys could get a G63 AMG into the 10's...
        Well, if 696.whp & 802.ftlb of torque at dynojet wheels doesn't break the drivetrain or heat soak in 4th gear... I will be interesting.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 12-11-2012, 12:44 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by m54b25 Click here to enlarge
        Well, if 696.whp & 802.ftlb of torque at dynojet wheels doesn't break the drivetrain or heat soak in 4th gear... I will be interesting.
        And who has hit 696 wheel on this motor? Click here to enlarge

        My e-mail inbox is empty @m54b25 ... Click here to enlarge