Mercedes-Benz India have launched the new GL63 AMG seven-seater super SUV. With a twin-turbo V8 and AMG tuned everything, the GL-Class doesn’t get any faster!
The Mercedes GL was always the big boy of the group, and it would be, what with seven seats and a body over five metres long. When the car first arrived, Mercedes-Benz offered it with the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel motor (in the GL350 CDI) and the big petrol 5.4-litre V8 (in the GL500). The petrol model was then axed. Now, however, a new, and infinitely more fitting replacement has arrived in the GL63.
While the car retains it’s dimensions, seats and quality levels, the equipment and orientation has changed for the better. It’s more sporty than ever and packs gizmos visible and under the skin which help make every drive much better. The main change is the heart.
Under the big bonnet beats the big 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 heart with 557 PS and 760 Nm of torque, more than enough shove to get a move on in a hurry and not even know it. Moreover, the peak torque stays from 2,000 RPM to 5,000 RPM, a massive band by any stretch of the imagination, and the fact that it starts low means you can get about doing pretty much anything you have to do with ease. The 7G-Tronic automatic paired to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system makes taking care of the thing a cinch.
Abroad, the GL63 AMG is offered with 21-inch wheels and 295-section tyres. The 100-litre fuel tank and it’s bulky 2,580 kg of kerb weight are all part of the package here though. See where all those 557 horses are needed
Mercedes have priced the GL63 AMG at Rs 1.66 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). That puts it in the league of the supercharged Range Rover Sport as far as seven-seaters go, with only the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S bringing big, blown-V8 power in that price range, although five-seaters.
Story: Jim Gorde
Images: Minocher Parakh, Mercedes-Benz
