- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
6.3i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
375kW, 630Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 16.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XC
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
Musclebound ML
When it comes to prestige high-performance, nothing succeeds quite like excess. Just ask Mercedes-Benz, which has gone out and bought an even bigger club with which to belt the upper-sports competition.
That club is an all-new, naturally aspirated, 6.2-litre V8, which steps in for the supercharged and naturally aspirated 5.5-litre V8s that powered AMG-fettled "55" versions of the E-Class, CLK, ML-Class and CLS ranges.
This time the moniker is "63" and the headline numbers make very interesting reading. How does 378 kW of power sound, backed up by a sky-high 7200 rpm rev limit? Or 630 Nm of torque, which is actually less than the old supercharged wonder but not exactly limp-wristed when its new automatic has seven ratios to play with.
We sampled the 63 engine in arguably its least exciting iteration, the ML63 four-wheel-drive. Yet despite more than two tonnes to tote around and slightly less power than other 63s (375 kW), it's a huge 46 per cent more powerful than the old ML55 and can destroy the 0-100 km/h sprint in a claimed five seconds.
We're not inclined to disbelieve this. Sink the slipper and the engine delivers a gargantuan, unbroken sweep of power from idle to rev limit that has to be felt to be believed. High-rev response is formidable and the soundtrack deliciously authoritative.
One can only imagine what it would be like tied to a manual box, but Benz's seven-speed auto has a ratio for every occasion and is very smooth, if not amazingly quick. In normal driving the top ML is as smooth, flexible and unruffled as any other Benz.
However, there's no hiding its thirst for premium petrol. Around town, we averaged a hefty 22 L/100 km. Even after some extended open-road touring, that dropped no lower than 17 L/100 km.
To harness the power, the ML63 picks up big, 19-inch wheels and rubber, high-performance AMG brakes and a beefed-up version of the company's switchable Airmatic air suspension.
For a big, tall and heavy 4WD, the ML63's cornering abilities are undeniably impressive. On smooth, sweeping roads with the suspension switched to its firmest setting, it has the grip, poise and body control to entertain and satisfy. However, throw some bumpy, tight corners into the equation and there's no hiding the hefty mass, or the fact that the steering could be a little sharper.
And there is no off-road reward to balance this, either, because the 63 - unlike other MLs - can't be optioned with Benz's off-road pro pack.
There are no such issues in relaxed driving. The switchable suspension and excellent noise suppression make this a supremely cosseting cruiser.
Inside, it's pure ML - that is, very good - with a few sports-minded additions, such as multicontour seats that inflate bolsters to support the body during cornering. The specification is generous - satellite navigation, Logic 7 sound, heated seats, sunroof and rear climate control are some of the highlights - and safety typically Benz-thorough.
However, if anything is going to sway buyers in its favour, it's the $159,900 price tag. You'll need to pay at least $199,100 for the same mechanical/equipment package in another Benz (the CLK63), while its only real rival, Porsche's Cayenne Turbo model, is even more expensive.
The ML63 isn't going to win any awards with the politically correct crowd but performance 4WD buyers might find its charms much harder to resist.