Mercedes V-Class With 585-HP V8 From AMG GT R Pushed Hard At The ‘Ring

Of all the wild contraptions Mercedes has built over the years, the R63 AMG is among the most bizarre. Somehow, a V8-powered minivan received the stamp of approval from the higher-ups, thus paving the way for a people-mover that was able to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds and top out at 171 mph (275 km/h). The R-Class was phased out five years ago, and while it was superseded by the V-Class, the biggest engine available is a V6 diesel.

This is where German tuner GAD-Motors comes into play as it has crammed a V8 inside the V-Class' engine bay. Not just any V8, but the twin-turbo 4.0-liter from the mighty AMG GT R supercar. "The Beast from the Green Hell" as it was nicknamed by the peeps from Affalterbach pushes out 585 horsepower and 700 Newton-meters (516 pound-feet). It, therefore, outpunches the old R63 AMG by over 70 hp and 70 Nm (51 lb-ft) of torque.

GAD-Motors mentions installing the M177 engine was not a plug & play solution as it had to develop quite a few custom parts, including a new exhaust system. It even has a catalytic converter and a gasoline particulate filter to meet emissions regulations, while the suspension was revamped as well to sharpen up handling.

 With tightening laws and EVs taking over, it's safe to say Mercedes will never make a V8 minivan again, but the tuning scene has shown it has a soft spot for the V-Class.