If you're in the market for a high-performance SUV, you've got plenty of choices at your disposal, and soon you'll have even more. And a healthy portion of those come with a Silver Star on the nose. Mercedes-Benz already offers the ML 63 AMG, GL 63 AMG and G 63 AMG - all powered by the same 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 - in American showrooms. Soon the smaller GLA 45 AMG will join them as well. But if it's more power you're after, we've got good news, because the latest word is that Benz is finally bringing over its flagship G 65 AMG.
Similar to the G 63 AMG, the G 65 is based on the German automaker's iconic Geländewagen, but packs a monstrous 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 - the same unit that has powered everything from the S 65 AMG and SL 65 AMG to the previous Maybach and even the Pagani Huayra. In the G 65, that gargantuan engine churns out 604 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, channeled to all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The G 65 has been on the market overseas since 2012, but was kept away from these shores. According to Automotive News, however, Mercedes will finally bring its most powerful sport-ute to American showrooms. And not a moment too soon, either, as Land Rover just came out with its Range Rover Sport SVR; rivals like Bentley, Lamborghini and Maserati are all working on performance SUVs of their own; and competitors like Porsche and BMW aren't likely to give up fighting, either.