A good day to drive hard: Dartz armors the Mercedes G63 AMG 6×6

By Stephen Edelstein May 18, 2014

When it comes to insane tuner cars, Dartz is in a league of its own. So what did this Latvian house of craziness decide to do to one of the most insane vehicles on the market, the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6?

While it looks like the product of a Doomsday Prepper’s paranoid delusions, Dartz’s modified 6×6 is actually inspired by a movie vehicle and, no, it’s not Herbie the Love Bug.

Inspiration came from the MRAP (Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected) armored vehicle from A Good Day to Die Hard, leading to the pun-tastic name Drive Hard 6×6 G.

Whereas most modified vehicles feature bigger wheels or upgraded engine-control software, the Dartz Drive Hard 6×6 G features B8-grade armor that is resistant to small-arms fire.

It also makes this rolling bunker significantly heavier. Curb weight is estimated at around 11,000 pounds, compared to around 8,500 pounds for a stock G63 6×6.

That shouldn’t be a problem, though because Dartz has also upgraded the 5.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V8, which now produces 1,019 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.

The Drive Hard 6×6 G may be the most extreme version of the G63 AMG 6×6 around, but it’s actually fairly typical for Dartz.

If an armored urban assault vehicle isn’t your style, consider the Sahara G-eopard, a lengthened 6×6 with gold and silver trim, a 3D television, and upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system.

It’s amazing what can happen when both money and taste are no object.

Topics

Photo Galleries

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Ram 1500 REV vs. Tesla Cybertruck: premium trucks battle it out

Tesla's Cybertruck.

The Tesla Cybertruck has been consistently making headlines in the electric truck world, not just for its outlandish design, but also for its numerous recalls. Thankfully, it's been a while since the last recall, and the Cybertruck could finally be on the road to success. But there's another electric truck on the way in the form of the first Ram electric pickup truck. The Ram 1500 REV is set to be one of the best electric trucks out there, and it could prove an excellent alternative to the Cybertruck for those who don't want something quite as flashy.

These two trucks actually compete quite closely, but is one better than the other? Here's a look.
Design
Design is probably the area where the Ram 1500 REV and Tesla Cybertruck are most different. That would be true of any truck that goes up against the Cybertruck, though. Its design is unlike anything else on the roads, thanks to its angular metal build. True to its name, it looks more like something you might find on Mars than parked at your local grocery store. To put it mildly, the Cybertruck's look is polarizing. Personally, it's not my favorite, but you might have a different view.

Cars

Best dash cam deals: Protect your ride from just $32

Rexing V1 dash cam

If you tend to drive a lot, then you'll know that there is always a slight chance of getting into an accident, even if it's a minor fender bender. That's why it's always a good idea to have some kind of protection in the form of a dash cam so that you can record things that are happening in front of you and even behind you when you're driving. Luckily, dash cams have come a long way, and you don't need to buy the best dash cams anymore to get something with relatively solid video quality and features. Even so, we've gone out and collected some of the best deals we could find, from the budget-friendly to the truly high-end.

Also, if you're worried about things like theft when you're at home, you may want to consider grabbing one of these security camera deals to get a little bit more overview of your driveway and car.
70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S -- $32, was $50

Cars

A plug-in hybrid upgrade makes the Bentley Continental GT Speed even better

2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed front quarter view.

Every car brand is navigating a course to an electrified future, but that brings unique challenges if you have to convince wealthy people to buy a car with a plug due to something as pedestrian as emissions standards.

Bentley has sold plug-in hybrids for a few years now, but the century-old British automaker is now shifting that effort into a higher gear. The 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed (and its GTC Speed convertible sibling) isn’t just an addition to the lineup; it replaces the non-hybrid GT Speed as the sportiest regular production version of Bentley’s signature model.