Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test

Bruce · 02-01-2007, 07:45 PM

"Last time we tested an M-Class, it was an ML500 in our July 2005 issue. We were impressed with its performance, and noted that the quality, particularly inside, was now up to Mercedes-Benz's high standards. Now, with the new ML63 AMG, there's an even hotter M-Class, one that's even more ferocious than the six SUVs we tested in our November 2006 article.

So, just how scorching is the new ML63? Well, this 5250-lb. heavyweight reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — quicker than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. And in the quarter mile, its 13.0-sec. blast at 108.0 mph bests all other SUVs we've tested.

Its rumbly AMG-built 6.2-liter V-8 is a twin-plug naturally aspirated powerplant that produces 503 bhp at 6800 rpm and 465 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm. With large 295/45R-19 tires at each corner and 4Matic all-wheel drive sending 60 percent of the power rearward, the ML63 launches with authority, and active Airmatic suspension makes for a remarkably pleasant ride.

At $87,375, the ML63 AMG isn't cheap. But that kind of performance never is.
Last time we tested an M-Class, it was an ML500 in our July 2005 issue. We were impressed with its performance, and noted that the quality, particularly inside, was now up to Mercedes-Benz's high standards. Now, with the new ML63 AMG, there's an even hotter M-Class, one that's even more ferocious than the six SUVs we tested in our November 2006 article.

So, just how scorching is the new ML63? Well, this 5250-lb. heavyweight reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — quicker than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. And in the quarter mile, its 13.0-sec. blast at 108.0 mph bests all other SUVs we've tested.

Its rumbly AMG-built 6.2-liter V-8 is a twin-plug naturally aspirated powerplant that produces 503 bhp at 6800 rpm and 465 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm. With large 295/45R-19 tires at each corner and 4Matic all-wheel drive sending 60 percent of the power rearward, the ML63 launches with authority, and active Airmatic suspension makes for a remarkably pleasant ride.

At $87,375, the ML63 AMG isn't cheap. But that kind of performance never is.
Last time we tested an M-Class, it was an ML500 in our July 2005 issue. We were impressed with its performance, and noted that the quality, particularly inside, was now up to Mercedes-Benz's high standards. Now, with the new ML63 AMG, there's an even hotter M-Class, one that's even more ferocious than the six SUVs we tested in our November 2006 article.

So, just how scorching is the new ML63? Well, this 5250-lb. heavyweight reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — quicker than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. And in the quarter mile, its 13.0-sec. blast at 108.0 mph bests all other SUVs we've tested.

Its rumbly AMG-built 6.2-liter V-8 is a twin-plug naturally aspirated powerplant that produces 503 bhp at 6800 rpm and 465 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm. With large 295/45R-19 tires at each corner and 4Matic all-wheel drive sending 60 percent of the power rearward, the ML63 launches with authority, and active Airmatic suspension makes for a remarkably pleasant ride.

At $87,375, the ML63 AMG isn't cheap. But that kind of performance never is."

List price: $85,500
Price as tested: $87,375
Curb weight: 5250 lb
Engine, transmission: 6.2-liter V-8; 7-sp automatic
Horsepower, bhp @ rpm: 503 @ 6800
0–60 mph: 4.5 sec
0–100 mph: 11.2 sec
0–1320 ft: 13.0 sec @ 108.0 mph
Top speed: 155 mph*
Braking, 60–0 mph: 119 ft
Braking, 80–0 mph: 209 ft
Lateral accel (200-ft skidpad): 0.81g
Speed thru 700-ft slalom: 62.1 mph
Our mileage, EPA city/highway: est 10.4, 12/16 mpg

Matt · 02-01-2007, 11:12 PM

WOW that thing is fast!!!

Deutsch · 02-01-2007, 11:13 PM

Those number make my stomach turn...

DoctorD · 02-02-2007, 04:48 AM

I have one of these too (greed, gluttony....yes I know!).

I posted up a few 'amateur' videos on Youtube that you might like to see

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

DoctorD · 02-02-2007, 06:40 AM

I took a video of my ML63 a few weeks back. It gives you an idea how quick it really is..

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER=

The Emperor · 02-02-2007, 06:41 AM

Kick @$$ ride, Doc!

The Artist · 02-02-2007, 06:44 AM

amazing car man..the hottest SUV on the market by far

Imhotep Evil · 02-02-2007, 06:48 AM

Yep, I remeber reading when it beat the Cayenne Turbo S ... ON A RACETRACK!!
Terific, just imagine what BMW could do ...

ree · 02-02-2007, 07:00 AM

It is fast...

Can't believe that such a heavy car beat an Aston...

PC Valkyrie · 02-02-2007, 07:55 AM

Those acceleration numbers are CRAZY for a 5000lb truck. The current king of SUV's with regards to performance.

Any chance BMW will make a M version of the X5 to take on this segment (ML63AMG and Cayenne Turbo S)? If they do, I'm sure it will kick butt. But BMW purists will say making a high performance SUV does not conform to BMW M's philosophy, right?

02-01-2007, 07:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bruce Crazy Canadian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: British Columbia Posts: 9,382 My Mood: Thanks: 3,483 Thanked 2,776 Times in 1,722 Posts Blog Entries: 2	Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test "Last time we tested an M-Class, it was an ML500 in our July 2005 issue. We were impressed with its performance, and noted that the quality, particularly inside, was now up to Mercedes-Benz's high standards. Now, with the new ML63 AMG, there's an even hotter M-Class, one that's even more ferocious than the six SUVs we tested in our November 2006 article. So, just how scorching is the new ML63? Well, this 5250-lb. heavyweight reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — quicker than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. And in the quarter mile, its 13.0-sec. blast at 108.0 mph bests all other SUVs we've tested. Its rumbly AMG-built 6.2-liter V-8 is a twin-plug naturally aspirated powerplant that produces 503 bhp at 6800 rpm and 465 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm. With large 295/45R-19 tires at each corner and 4Matic all-wheel drive sending 60 percent of the power rearward, the ML63 launches with authority, and active Airmatic suspension makes for a remarkably pleasant ride. At $87,375, the ML63 AMG isn't cheap. But that kind of performance never is. Last time we tested an M-Class, it was an ML500 in our July 2005 issue. We were impressed with its performance, and noted that the quality, particularly inside, was now up to Mercedes-Benz's high standards. Now, with the new ML63 AMG, there's an even hotter M-Class, one that's even more ferocious than the six SUVs we tested in our November 2006 article. So, just how scorching is the new ML63? Well, this 5250-lb. heavyweight reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — quicker than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. And in the quarter mile, its 13.0-sec. blast at 108.0 mph bests all other SUVs we've tested. Its rumbly AMG-built 6.2-liter V-8 is a twin-plug naturally aspirated powerplant that produces 503 bhp at 6800 rpm and 465 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm. With large 295/45R-19 tires at each corner and 4Matic all-wheel drive sending 60 percent of the power rearward, the ML63 launches with authority, and active Airmatic suspension makes for a remarkably pleasant ride. At $87,375, the ML63 AMG isn't cheap. But that kind of performance never is. Last time we tested an M-Class, it was an ML500 in our July 2005 issue. We were impressed with its performance, and noted that the quality, particularly inside, was now up to Mercedes-Benz's high standards. Now, with the new ML63 AMG, there's an even hotter M-Class, one that's even more ferocious than the six SUVs we tested in our November 2006 article. So, just how scorching is the new ML63? Well, this 5250-lb. heavyweight reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — quicker than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. And in the quarter mile, its 13.0-sec. blast at 108.0 mph bests all other SUVs we've tested. Its rumbly AMG-built 6.2-liter V-8 is a twin-plug naturally aspirated powerplant that produces 503 bhp at 6800 rpm and 465 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm. With large 295/45R-19 tires at each corner and 4Matic all-wheel drive sending 60 percent of the power rearward, the ML63 launches with authority, and active Airmatic suspension makes for a remarkably pleasant ride. At $87,375, the ML63 AMG isn't cheap. But that kind of performance never is." List price: $85,500 Price as tested: $87,375 Curb weight: 5250 lb Engine, transmission: 6.2-liter V-8; 7-sp automatic Horsepower, bhp @ rpm: 503 @ 6800 0–60 mph: 4.5 sec 0–100 mph: 11.2 sec 0–1320 ft: 13.0 sec @ 108.0 mph Top speed: 155 mph* Braking, 60–0 mph: 119 ft Braking, 80–0 mph: 209 ft Lateral accel (200-ft skidpad): 0.81g Speed thru 700-ft slalom: 62.1 mph Our mileage, EPA city/highway: est 10.4, 12/16 mpg

02-01-2007, 11:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Matt Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,882 Thanks: 210 Thanked 130 Times in 88 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test WOW that thing is fast!!!

02-01-2007, 11:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Deutsch Aficionado Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: L.A. Posts: 5,361 Thanks: 301 Thanked 466 Times in 239 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test Those number make my stomach turn...

02-02-2007, 04:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
DoctorD Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cambridgeshire, England Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test I have one of these too (greed, gluttony....yes I know!). I posted up a few 'amateur' videos on Youtube that you might like to see - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

02-02-2007, 06:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
DoctorD Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cambridgeshire, England Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test I took a video of my ML63 a few weeks back. It gives you an idea how quick it really is.. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER=

02-02-2007, 06:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
The Emperor Malicious Persecutor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Where noone has gone before... Posts: 9,141 My Mood: Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 1,567 Times in 952 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test Kick @$$ ride, Doc!

02-02-2007, 06:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
The Artist Shaolin Shadow Boxer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Gothenburg Posts: 11,414 My Mood: Thanks: 122 Thanked 712 Times in 444 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test amazing car man..the hottest SUV on the market by far

02-02-2007, 06:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
Imhotep Evil Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 248 Thanked 150 Times in 113 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test Yep, I remeber reading when it beat the Cayenne Turbo S ... ON A RACETRACK!! Terific, just imagine what BMW could do ...

02-02-2007, 07:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
ree Fanatic Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,383 My Mood: Thanks: 2,839 Thanked 1,603 Times in 745 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test It is fast... Can't believe that such a heavy car beat an Aston...

02-02-2007, 07:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
PC Valkyrie Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 497 Thanks: 0 Thanked 187 Times in 84 Posts	Re: Road & Track, ML63 AMG Road Test Those acceleration numbers are CRAZY for a 5000lb truck. The current king of SUV's with regards to performance. Any chance BMW will make a M version of the X5 to take on this segment (ML63AMG and Cayenne Turbo S)? If they do, I'm sure it will kick butt. But BMW purists will say making a high performance SUV does not conform to BMW M's philosophy, right?

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