Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG: First Look
Motoring Channel Staff - 18/8/2005
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Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG
Stratospheric
SUV
Mercedes has thrown down the gauntlet to the
rest of the performance SUV makers with its utterly
mad ML 63 AMG. Porsche and BMW take note.
For something so big and heavy to accelerate
to 100km/h in 5.0 seconds is just astounding,
and the inside word has it that it can actually
go round corners at a brisk clip without rolling,
thanks to its myriad suspension aids (including
Airmatic and an adaptive damping system, or ADS).
At a time when many automakers are opting for
smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles, Mercedes
is banking on this high revving behemoth to appeal
to the show-off in all of us; all hail the new
King of the SUV performance world.
- Feann Torr, Editor
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Powered by a 6.2-litre V8 engine, the new
Merc marauder is devastatingly quick off the line
Quad exhaust pipes leave no doubt as to this
vehicles potential - 0-100km/h in just 5.0 secs
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Ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show unveiling, Mercedes-Benz
has released information on the ML 63 AMG.
In the same marketplace as vehicles like the Range Rover
Sport, Porsche Cayenne and high performance versions of the
BMW X5 and Volkswagen Touareg, the German 4x4 utilises the
brand's powerful new 6.2-litre V8 engine for locomotion.
The powerful heart of a high-performance athlete beats beneath
the bonnet of the ML 63 AMG: as a completely new and autonomous
development by Mercedes-AMG, the AMG 6.2-litre V8 engine generates
an output of 375kW (510hp) @ 6800rpm.
Maximum torque, meanwhile, is 630Nm @ 5200rpm, which makes
the new AMG powerpack the world's most powerful naturally
aspirated eight-cylinder engine in regular production.
No other off-roader in the direct competitive line-up has
a larger displacement and output than the new ML 63 AMG.
The AMG 6.2-litre V8 engine provides the performance levels
of a sports car, with acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in
just 5.0 seconds and a maximum speed of 250 km/h (electronically
limited). The Porsche Cayenne Turbo, in comparison, sprints
to 100km/h from rest in 5.6 seconds.
Power transfer in the top M-Class model is via an AMG Speedshift
7G-Tronic automatic transmission with a Direct Select shift
lever mounted by the steering wheel.
Three shift modes specially configured for the sporty performance
characteristics of the AMG V8 engine ensure that the power
is used to best effect. These shift modes are "S"
(Sport), "C" (Comfort) and "M" (Manual)
– and are selected using a switch in the centre console
and differ in their gearshift characteristics and speed.
Wide, muscular, with a broad stance and poised to leap forward,
the visual appearance of the new ML 63 AMG immediately confirms
its special position in the range.
The athletic design of this powerful off-roader is characterised
by its striking AMG styling with a front and rear apron, an
AMG-specific radiator grille, flared wheel arches, stainless
steel running boards with rubber studs and tinted rear lights.
Both visually and acoustically, the AMG sports exhaust system
with two chrome-plated twin tail-pipes emphasises the power
and dynamism of the top-of-the-range model in the M-Class.
The permanent four-wheel drive of the ML 63 AMG is also decidedly
sporty in nature: in the interests of the best possible agility
and performance on bends, the generous power of the AMG V8
engine is distributed to the front and rear axles on a 40:60
basis.
A specially strengthened drive train ensures an optimal power
transfer and the reliability typical of a Mercedes.
The AMG sports suspension based on Airmatic ensures high
cornering speeds, precise directional stability and low levels
of body roll while providing excellent long- distance comfort.
The air suspension features AMG-specific damper struts and
the specially configured adaptive damping system ADS. A level
control system automatically lowers the suspension at higher
speeds.
Road contact is via high-sheen 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels
in a five-spoke design. Fitted with massive 295/45 R19 wide-base
tyres all-round, this wheel/tyre combination not only impresses
with its muscular appearance, but also ensures that the sporty
performance is translated to the road.
Furthermore, 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke
design with 295/40 R20 tyres are available as an option. The
shortest possible braking distances are guaranteed by the
generously dimensioned AMG high-performance braking system
behind the AMG light-alloy wheels, which features internally
ventilated and indented brake discs all-round.
Sportiness is also the order of the day in the interior of
the ML 63 AMG. The exclusive interior features include AMG
sports seats with nappa leather upholstery, alcantara inserts
in the shoulder areas, a multicontour function and heating,
the AMG ergonomic leather sports steering wheel with gearshift
buttons, AMG door sills and stainless steel sports pedals
with rubber studs. The AMG instrument cluster is equally dynamic
with its AMG-specific lettering, red needles and 320km/h speedometer
scale.
The ML 63 AMG also meets the highest requirements in terms
of safety - it is a Mercedes after all. Standard safety features
include the preventive occupant protection system Pre-Safe,
crash-responsive Neck-Pro head restraints in the first seat
row, adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front
passenger, front sidebags, windowbags and belt tensioners
and belt force limiters for all the seats.
After its world premiere at the International Automobile
Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, the ML 63 AMG will be officially
launched during the second quarter of 2006 in Europe, followed
by other regions later in 2006.
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