Merck to Present Extensive New Research Demonstrating ...

2023 Mercedes-AMG G63 4x4 Squared Review: Portal Combat

The unique mechanicals of the 4x4 Squared make it a bit slower than a normal G63, but those portal axles provide exceptional off-roading capabilities and surprising composure on normal roads.

The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in the Mercedes-AMG G63 4x4 Squared produces 577 hp, the same as the normal AMG G63, along with 612 lb-ft of torque. Since the 4x4 Squared sits extraordinarily high off the ground and is likely even heavier, it's not quite as quick as the normal G63. It's not slow, however, with the benchmark 0-60 mph run taking approximately five seconds for the Mercedes-AMG G63 4x4 Squared, according to the automaker. The drivetrain consists of a nine-speed automatic and permanent four-wheel-drive system. It's unknown if the 4x4 Squared will match the 7,000-pound tow capacity of the normal G63.

The first thing that strikes you when setting off in the AWD 4x4 Squared is the comically high seating position, allowing you to look down on drivers in their Escalades with ease. That's because of the portal axles, both on the independent front system and rear solid axle. There are three locking differentials, while drivers can access Sand, Trail, and Rock driving modes. Off-road, the 4x4 Squared makes its driver feel like a hero. The 13.8-inch ground clearance, wading depth of 35.8 inches, and 40-degree ramp angle allow it to clamber over the largest obstacles. That ground clearance is better than the Ford Bronco Raptor, one of the most formidable off-road SUVs at any price.

On normal roads, it feels remarkably similar to the normal G63. The axle roll out issue that often plagues vehicles on portal axles has been effectively dialed out here, and it rides comfortably enough. Through the twisties, it remains planted and stable for something so heavy and tall.

Late Kick Live Ep 368: Kirby Smart CultureTransfer Portal ?sOhioSt QB BattleTexas Pressure

Late Kick Live Ep 368: Kirby Smart CultureTransfer Portal ?SOhioSt QB BattleTexas Pressure - CBSSports.Com

site: mediaarena: collegefootballpageType: multimediasection:slug: late-kick-live-ep-368-kirby-smart-culture-transfer-portal-s-ohiost-qb-battle-texas-pressuresport: collegefootballroute: video_single6-keys: media/spln/collegefootball/reg/free/video

Late Kick Live Ep. 368 includes Josh Pate responding to continued criticism of UGA's culture under Kirby Smart following the latest issues with Jalen Carter. How do you define isolated incidents versus character and culture concerns? Ohio State is the spotlight for one of the most important QB competitions in the country this spring. Will Kyle McCord take control or will Devin Brown win the job? In Austin all eyes are on Quinn Ewers - or are they? With Arch Manning commanding most of the spotlight while not being expected to win the starting job, what will this do for the Longhorns this fall? The Pate State mailbag is loaded with questions about the best traditions in College Football and teams that could the most improved this fall. All that plus several questions from a big cycle of movement in the Transfer Portal.

Up Next

Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

Sorry! There was an error processing your subscription.

Halfway Through Season, Big Ten West Transfer Quarterbacks Earning Incomplete Grade

December arrived. Quarterback shopping season in the Big Ten West.

The 2022 slate had barely ended before teams in the division with no conference titles in nine years of existence hit the transfer portal in search of the perfect gift. Iowa found one first. Then Nebraska, Purdue, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Each QB was a former four-star prospect and top-300 national recruit. Each had a clear path to playing time within programs that had either hired new coaches or lost their previous starters. Each had shown the ability to juice an offense at previous stops.

Northwestern added its own playmaker in May as sixth-year quarterback Ben Bryant committed from Cincinnati. Add Minnesota's Athan Kaliakmanis — a promising underclassman who started five games for the Gophers last season — and the division's makeover at the most important position was complete.

Midway through their debut West seasons, the results have been wobblier than a tipped pass.

Iowa's Cade McNamara (Michigan) tore his ACL two weeks ago after directing the offense to 22.2 points per game (101st nationally). Nebraska's Jeff Sims (Georgia Tech) committed seven turnovers in seven-plus quarters, then a high-ankle sprain sidelined him while his backup took the job and ran with it. Bryant absorbed a blindside hit two weeks ago that has already cost him at least one game.

Meanwhile, Illinois' Luke Altmyer (Mississippi) has given the ball away at least once in all six of his games, prompting some fans to call for a change. Purdue's Hudson Card (Texas) left a six-sack game in a loss at Iowa last week vowing to get the ball out quicker. Wisconsin's Tanner Mordecai (SMU) has as many interceptions as he does touchdown passes (three).

Kaliakmanis threw two pick sixes in his most recent outing against Michigan. This three games after a 12-of-29 effort at North Carolina that he called "probably the worst game I've ever played." The Gophers pass offense ranks 130th of 133 FBS schools.

The collective Big Ten West line among its original seven starters: 597-of-984 passing (60.7%) for 176 yards per game and 32 TDs against 32 interceptions.

Other metrics also underscore the vulnerability of the division through underwhelming quarterback play. Of the country's top 100 qualified passers measured by QB rating, the best of the West are Card (80th), Altmyer (81st) and Mordecai (91st). Five offenses are averaging 22 points per game or fewer — only Wisconsin (31.4, 52nd) and Purdue (25.7, 89th) are better. Three offensive lines are among the bottom 30 nationally in pass blocking in Northwestern, Nebraska and Illinois, per Pro Football Focus.

"One of the things we say all the time in our building is adversity is going to strike," Illinois coach Bret Bielema said after Altmyer threw four interceptions against Penn State last month. "You learn more from yourself in moments of adversity than you do in moments of success."

Iowa's offensive struggles have deepened under backup Deacon Hill, himself a Wisconsin transfer. The 6-foot-3, 258-pounder completed a combined 17 of 48 passes (35%) for 225 yards in wins — wins! — over Michigan State and Purdue. This after a season-ending injury to tight end Luke Lachey and lingering injuries at other skill positions.

McNamara, Ferentz said on Oct. 3, was just coming around after various ailments throughout the offseason.

"That's the unfortunate thing," Ferentz said. "The last two weeks, week and a half, is the first time it looked like he was back to being close to normal. But it's hard to get healthy in-season, too, when you have things that are kind of significant."

Card has taken every snap for Purdue despite injuries stemming in part from feeling 14 sacks in six games. Uneven O-line play and receivers struggling to get separation haven't helped. Ohio State and Michigan are two of the next three opponents, with a trip to Nebraska sandwiched in between.

Mordecai and Wisconsin have enjoyed the most team success, with the QB viewed locally as UW's best combination runner/passer since Russell Wilson in 2011. But the Badgers couldn't keep up in their biggest game so far — a 31-22 loss at Washington State — and Mordecai is coming off a 17-for-31 day with one scoring pass against Rutgers with Iowa on deck Saturday. He arrived as a major prize for coach Luke Fickell after two years at SMU where he threw for 300-plus yards 13 times with 72 total scores against 22 picks

His legs make his among the most mobile of the original West QBs along with Sims and Altmyer.

"Yeah, people still think I'm deceptively fast or whatever," Mordecai said this week. "I've heard that a billion times. I think it's pretty instinctual. Just trying to make a play for our team."

Nebraska and Northwestern continue to sort through their quarterback situations in their bye weeks before meeting Oct. 21 in Lincoln. Wildcats backup Brendan Sullivan — a starter for much of 2022 — began last week's narrow 23-20 win over Howard while completing 13 of 18 passes for 131 yards. Whether he or Bryant goes next remains unknown.

Husker coaches must now factor in a fully healthy Sims into their calculations for the season's second half. Coach Matt Rhule said this week it might have been backup Chubba Purdy — not fellow reserve Heinrich Haarberg — who filled the Sims void had Purdy been healthy at the time.

"We have three quarterbacks that I believe we can win with," Rhule said. "... Each has their own strengths and you have to kind of tailor what we're doing to each guy."

---