Chiyangwa buys $400 000 Mercedes Benz

Flamboyant businessman Phillip Chiyangwa has taken delivery of his 2014 GL63 AMG, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe.

The seven-passenger Mercedes Benz utility, which cost him $400 000, was handcrafted by Marco Feeber at the German firm's home of supercars in Affalterbach.

"Everyday we read about financial scandals… involving corporate executives and other individuals, but that's not news. Surely, someone must spend that money (and) it becomes news if you are not the one to be spending that money (and if you got it)," Chiyangwa said.

With a top speed of 340 kilometres per hour, the two-and-a-half tonne 4MATIC is powered by a 5,5 litre V8 bi-turbo AMG engine, producing nearly 560 horsepower and 760 newton metres (Nm) of torque.

Emblazoned with the "tsivo" custom plate - the one which the self-styled empowerment guru unveiled in 2006 when he bought his S600 Mercedes sedan - the new machine has a plus 7G-Tronic automatic transmission system offering controlled efficiency, sport and manual shift for quicker responses.

At a breath-taking 0-100 kilometres per hour in 4,9 seconds, the humongous SUV can screech to a complete stop or halt at that speed in three.

Designed for ultimate luxury and comfort, Chiyangwa's latest set of wheels is styled with many gizmos, including 360 degree cameras, night vision assist, massaging seats and temperature-controlled cup holders. The grandeur is just mind-blowing.

Apart from this, it has Artico leather seats with AMG badges to celebrate "success and its worth or value".

With air-matic shocks costing $2 500 each - and which suspension means the car automatically lowers at high speed - it also shows its maintenance is not for the ordinary Joe. As a "pinnacle of success and performance", the GL63 AMG is a car that holds its own against other SUVs, including the latest generation Audi Q7, BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne.

In addition to its superior engineering technology, this unrivalled marque is a product of AMG's "one man, one engine" principle - as it was not put together by robots, but the human hand of Feeber.

As a Mercedes-Benz car tuner, AMG has its own suspension, transmission and engine systems that are way too different from the ordinary Merc. According to Affalterbach enthusiasts, this is a car made in a facility only toured by respective brand owners or those with unit orders.

Through handcrafting, Chiyangwa's car was meticulously built by one man, from start to finish, thus it bears his signature and the technician's seal of unrivalled craftsmanship. In short, AMG builds performance Mercedes-Benz cars. As such, AMG calls its engineers "the greatest technicians on the planet" and by driving a car, which someone personally guaranteed in terms of quality and performance, it really makes this car very special.

Over the years, the Native Investments Africa Group founder has shown a penchant for expensive cars that is only rivalled by the likes of Spirit Embassy founder Uebert

Angel, Frank Buyanga and NMB Holdings Limited group chief executive James Mushore.

Chiyangwa's fleet also includes a blue Bentley, Mercedes GL320, Rolls Royce and a red SL55 AMG.