Car Enthusiast - click here to access the home page


 



First drive: Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.

First drive: Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG
AMG madness reaches the ML, giving Merc's SUV dragster pace in the race to the school gates.

   



<< earlier review     later review >>

Reviews homepage -> Mercedes-Benz reviews

| First Drive | Goodwood, England | Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG |

Overall rating: 3 3 3 3 3

The ML is a fine SUV option powered by one of its diesel engines, though AMG just couldn't resist fiddling with it and popping a 5.5-litre turbocharged V8 engine under the bonnet - with comedic results.

Key Facts

Pricing: £82,995
Engine: 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol
Transmission: four-wheel drive, seven-speed automatic
Body style: five-door SUV
Rivals: BMW X5 M, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Range Rover Sport Supercharged
CO2 emissions: 276g/km
Combined economy: 23.9mpg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 4.8 seconds
Power: 525hp at 5,250- to 5,750rpm
Torque: 700Nm at 1,750- to 5,000rpm

In the Metal: 4 4 4 4 4

The ML's already sharp lines benefit appreciably from the influence of AMG's design department. The wider middle air dam, helping cool the big V8 under its bonnet, flanked by two deep intakes, topped by the now must-have LED running lights all give the ML a touch more aggression to match its greater performance potential. Side skirts lower the stance, while large AMG alloy wheels improve the ML's look further. The large quad-exhausts and diffuser-like upsweep on the rear bumper further exhibit the AMG's added muscle in a relatively dignified manner.

That's much the same inside, where there are some AMG badges and unique fonts on the instruments, but it's a classily undertaken sporting make-over, rather than an extrovert statement of intent.

Driving it: 4 4 4 4 4

The lunacy is left to the drivetrain. AMG's 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 engine is an absolutely bonkers proposition. It's not the 525hp output that boggles the mind - even if such a figure in an SUV is, frankly, ridiculous - but the 700Nm of torque. That allows the ML 63 to reach 62mph in just 4.8 seconds (or about 0.1 seconds faster if you're stopwatch obsessed and opt for the Performance Pack) and onto an electronically limited 155mph top speed. Unsurprisingly then the ML 63 is quick, comically so, the rather incongruous mating of such mighty pace with an upright SUV body only adding to the madness of the experience. Layer a soundtrack that sounds like the devil himself is driving it and it's impossible not to be seduced by the ML 63's lunatic side.

The 7G-Tronic AMG Speedshift automatic is smooth most of the time, though to prevent any confusion it's best taking control yourself. When it lets you, the gearbox's software often second-guesses - or plain ignores your inputs. You can learn to live with its quirks, but it remains a constant frustration. Firmer and more uncompromising than its diesel-only relations, the ML's tighter control is inevitably at the expense of some comfort.

On rougher surfaces the ML 63 can feel a little busy, the rather remote steering meaning it's not as sharp as a Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5, the sheer size of it too being rather daunting on UK country roads. Off them (not in the fields, but on faster roads) the way the ML can change its velocity with so little fuss - except the wonderful noise - is a constant source of amusement, though you'll chew through fuel pretty quickly if you're heavy with your right foot.

What you get for your Money: 4 4 4 4 4

Your £82,995 buys you one of the fastest SUVs money can buy. If you're in the realms of AMG MLs then money isn't likely to be a concern. Equipment is extensive, as you'd expect from a range-topper, but there are plenty of chances to add to it via the options list, including the Performance Pack and Driver's Package. which raises the top speed from 155- to 174mph.

Worth Noting

Choose that speed limiter raising Driver's Package (at £2,820) and you'll be invited to an AMG driver event. The Performance Pack, available for the first time on the ML, adds 27hp and 60Nm of torque should you find the standard outputs a little lacking and you've a spare £6,125 to spend.

Summary

Silly, fast and noisy. Rationally it's nonsensical, but it's difficult not to fall for the ML 63's lunacy, the 5.5-litre bi-turbo engine endowing the big SUV with comical pace and a soundtrack that's so epic you'll happily push your foot to the floor to hear it. You'll need to be careful if you do though, as the ML's incredible pace is so easily accessed, so quickly adapted to you'll need to keep on top of it if you're keen on keeping your licence clean.


Kyle Fortune - 3 Aug 2012



  www.mercedes-benz.co.uk    - Mercedes-Benz road tests
- Mercedes-Benz news
- ML 63 AMG images

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by United Pictures.2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by United Pictures.2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by United Pictures.2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by United Pictures.2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.



2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG. Image by Mercedes-Benz.
 






 

Internal links:   | Home | Privacy | Contact us | Archives | Old motor show reports | Follow Car Enthusiast on Twitter | Copyright 1999-2024 ©