Mercedes-Benz India have brought in the most powerful iteration of the M-Class, the ML63 AMG.
Hot hatches are one thing, but a hot SUV is another deal altogether. Punting around a one-tonne car cath 100-odd PS is quite different from a 2.3-tonne car funneling 557 PS to all four wheels and looking suave while doing it. That’s exactly what Mercedes have unleashed here.
Say hello to the ML63 AMG, taking power to the next level. Mercedes launched the big GL63 AMG seven-seater just recently (you can read the road test in the upcoming issue of Car India) and the ML is here to set things straight for those who don’t want a mansion on wheels, but still want something formidable on the road with the sound effects to go with the presence. The ML63 packs every bit of luxury, safety and entertainment technology that Mercedes have in their kitty together with the sporty edge that AMG invariably brings to the table.
Overseas, the ML63 AMG comes with the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine from the CLS-Class, with 525 PS and 700 Nm of torque. The AMG Performance Package, standard for India, gives you big-brother GL’s levels – 557 PS and 760 Nm – but a better power-to-weight ratio of 237.5 PS/tonne! AMG’s 7G-Tronic SpeedShift Plus transmission drives the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. Mercedes claim a 0-100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds, with a top speed limited to 250 km/h. Opt for the AMG Driver’s Package and that limit gets raised to 280 km/h. On the other side of the coin, the claimed fuel efficiency is up to 10.4 km/l.
The asking price for the Mercedes ML63 AMG is Rs 1.49 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Story: Jim Gorde