Road Test: 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG

MotorTrend

What do you get when you stuff a hand-built 503 hp 6.2 liter V-8 into a Mercedes ML class SUV?

Transcript

00:00 What do you get when you stuff a hand-built 503 horsepower 6.2 liter V8 into a Mercedes

00:10 ML class SUV?

00:11 The Mercedes ML 63 AMG.

00:14 An Uber SUV capable of terrorizing the legendary northern loop of the Nürburgring, a 12.9

00:20 mile circuit, in around 8 minutes and 40 seconds.

00:23 That was Porsche 911 territory not too long ago.

00:27 At the heart of this monster SUV is its king-sized motor, a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8,

00:33 hand-built by the boys at AMG, Mercedes' in-house tuning operation.

00:37 Like all AMG motors that came before it, this 6.2 liter unit is stunning.

00:41 Its torquey and the sound it makes isn't too far off from a World War II fighter.

00:45 However, this new engine is extra special.

00:47 It's the first to be entirely developed and built by AMG.

00:51 To improve performance over the 5.5 liter supercharged V8, AMG got rid of the supercharger,

00:56 bumped up displacement, and allowed the engine to spin to an impressive 7,200 RPM.

01:01 The result is an engine that has a more linear power delivery and a higher peak output than

01:05 the supercharged motor.

01:06 The ML 63 utilizes a 7-speed automatic transmission with manumatic shifting capabilities accessible

01:12 via buttons on the back side of the steering wheel.

01:15 Like a standard ML, power is put to the ground through all four wheels.

01:18 However, in AMG trim, the torque split is 40% up front and 60% in the rear.

01:25 To keep up with the engine, the suspension and brakes also undergo serious AMG treatment.

01:30 The front suspension is stiffened by 100% while the rear is made 60% stiffer.

01:35 To improve high speed stability, the adjustable airmatic suspension automatically lowers itself

01:40 by 1" at speeds over 78 mph.

01:44 Massive vented and cross-filled brakes are fitted to the front and rear as well.

01:48 On the outside, an AMG-specific body kit is fitted.

01:52 This includes butched up fenders, AMG-style front and rear fascia, stainless steel running

02:02 boards, and quad exhaust pipes.

02:07 The resulting look gives the ML a beefier appearance that perfectly complements its

02:11 pumped up performance.

02:14 The AMG treatment continues throughout the interior as well.

02:17 High bolstered, AMG-style heated and cooled seats, trimmed in buttery Nappa leather and

02:21 accented with Alcantara shoulders, secure the driver and his occupant.

02:26 In front of the driver is a contoured AMG-style steering wheel with shift buttons around back

02:30 to click through the 7-speed transmission.

02:33 The AMG-style instrument cluster includes a lap timer and Bolle displays a 200 mph speedometer.

02:40 Stainless steel pedals with rubber nubs top off the sporty theme throughout.

02:44 On the road, the ML63 AMG doesn't pretend to be anything but a well-tuned 5,000 pound

02:49 SUV with a monster motor.

02:51 The ML63 is at home on long stretches of highway where it can ferociously gobble up pavement.

02:57 High speed stability is superb and the extra meaty steering adds to the sensation.

03:02 But don't forget, the ML63 was developed on the Nürburgring, so it's no slouch in

03:06 the corners either.

03:08 The ML63 isn't cheap.

03:10 Pricing begins at $85,500.

03:12 However, that's about $8,000 less than its closest competitor, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

03:18 And rivals from Land Rover and BMW that may be cheaper don't even come close to its performance.

03:22 [Music]

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