Polar opposite Stars

At the edge of the two sides of the scale are two huge names from one big marque.

- Jim Gorde and Joshua Varghese

In the orange corner, the flagship SUV and the most powerful G-wagen ever. In the silver corner, the flagship luxury electric SUV. Twin-turbo V8 with 585 hp meets twin-motor EV with 658 hp. Which way does the massive Mercedes scale tip? Read on

Have They Fixed Their 'Wagen?

THE G-WAGEN DIDN'T NEED FIXING.

It is rightfully marketed as an icon stronger than time, needing just an engine update to meet stricter new emission regulations. It still is its large and loveable self, hardly even growing any larger than it needed to be. Again, this update was mainly about the engine but there are some new inclusions that truly bring the Geländewagen into the second half of the decade.

The big news is the AMG G 63 retains the V8 engine, thankfully, unlike its smallest "63"-badged siblings that have lost half the engine and gained additional wiring.

This "M177" 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine adopts 48volt mild-hybrid technology, erstwhile EQ Boost, which helps the powerplant meet the stringent Euro 6e emission standard and looks set to comply with the more stringent, longer distance "Euro 6e-bis" future regulations as well.

Mercedes know what they have and demand far exceeds supply. Therefore, the asking price of Rs 3.60 crore (exshowroom) is a figure that won't bother prospective clientele. Let's get to the 2025 model, then.