Mercedes launches upmarket soft-roader
AMG-badged V8-powered RAV4-alike for 2006
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Mercedes is claiming to "set a new standard in the sporty off-roader segment" with its new ML 63 AMG, which looks to compete with the Porsche Cayenne.
The top-of-the-range M-Class model with permanent 4WD includes an AMG 6.3-litre V8 and will premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt next month. You'll be able to buy one here in summer 2006.
The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine generates 510bhp at 6,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 465lb-ft at 5,200rpm. Mercedes calls it the world’s most powerful, naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine in regular production.
Whether you like the packaging or not, it's not going to be slow. It will accelerate from zero to 62.5 mph in 5 seconds and a maximum, electronically limited speed of 155 mph. That's 46 per cent more output and 23 per cent more torque than the ML 55 AMG.
Power goes through an AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic (seven-speed) automatic transmission with a direct select shift lever mounted by the steering wheel. You get three shift modes: "S" (Sport), "C" (Comfort) and "M" (Manual), which are selected using a switch in the centre console and change gearshift characteristics and speed. Power is distributed to the front and rear axles on a 40:60 basis.
Suspension and brakes
The AMG air suspension features AMG-specific dampers and a specially configured adaptive damping system with a height control system that automatically lowers the vehicle at higher speeds.
Road contact is via high-sheen 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design, fitted with 295/45 R 19 tyres all-round. Twenty-inch wheels in a five-spoke design are an option. The braking system features internally ventilated and indented brake discs all-round.
Interior
As for the looks, you can judge for yourself, but the interior includes sports seats with Nappa leather upholstery, Alcantara inserts in the shoulder areas and multi-contour heated seats. Also included is the AMG leather steering wheel with gearshift buttons, door sills and stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs. The instrument cluster includes AMG-specific lettering, red needles and 200 mph speedometer scale.
Standard safety features include the preventive occupant protection system Pre-safe, crash-responsive Neck-pro head restraints in the first seat row, adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger, front sidebags, windowbags and belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all the seats.
Pricing and specification will be announced closer to the launch date. Mercedes also didn't say if it went round corners...
When I thought Merc were going to do a soft-roader to compete with the rav-4, I was mildly excited at the prospect of an alternative for my wife. What is spec'd there is never going to be £24k in a million years! If it is, we will have 2 please!
P~
edited to say - not 'alternative for my wife' as in 'something to swap her for'...I meant...well, you know.
>> Edited by PhantomPH on Thursday 18th August 12:21
I sat in a new ML just a few weeks ago (in France) and they've done an excellent job in making it look and feel contempory and sporting. It's also far more friendly looking than the previous ML and looks smaller and more compact. Materials used inside were good and the seats were extremely comfortable. Provided Mercedes quality woes are behind it then I can see the new ML being a popular model (but this time for good reason).
As for the ML63, if you cannot 'get it' then I'm not sure I can help. You either understand uber-SAVs or you don't. I've owned three of them now and would never choose an estate or saloon which I regard as being too 'compromised'. Take the 4.8is for instance, it provides the best aural enjoyment of any BMW currently made with sublime steering feel and a great sense of wellbeing. You'd have to be in a sports car to outcorner it and if you need to travel any quicker along public roads then you probably need locking up. As for fuel economy, it averages 19mpg with 23mpg or more on longer trips. To put that in perspective my Mini Cooper S Works gives about 3-4 more mpg on average. I'm a fan of any car that's fun to drive, provides a sense of wellbeing and ignites the petrol in my veins. I expect the ML63 will be a cracker provided they get the dynamic basics as right as the X5.
>> Edited by DoctorD on Thursday 18th August 15:29
Glenn McMenamin said:
I just don't get these vehicles, is it me ????
The point is they're pointless
Personally, I think it's horrible, vulgar, and totally devoid of any petrolhead appeal (sure, it's got a big engine, but so do HGVs!), but there's obviously a market for these vehicles, and manufacturers are feeding this demand.
Although I would have thought Merc would have been better off putting its resources towards improving its quality standards and repairing its somewhat battered reputation. Not to mention stopping trying to screw over its workers. But that's a whole other thread
Bill Carr said:
Personally, I think it's horrible, vulgar, and totally devoid of any petrolhead appeal (sure, it's got a big engine, but so do HGVs!), but there's obviously a market for these vehicles, and manufacturers are feeding this demand.
With all due respect it doesn't sound like you have any experience of what your talking about. Have you ever taken one of the 'few' proper sports SUVs and thrashed it within an inch of its capabilities along the stelvio pass or other such challenging and testing bit of tarmac? If you had then you'd be aware why they appeal to a petrol head - and it'd not just for the engine. And prey tell me where there is an HGV that produces a sound like God cleaing his throat and then catapults you down the road quicker than a Porsche Boxster? Ultimately you can go quicker in a 400 kg lighter performance saloon, but the sensation of speed will not be greater and that's very useful in these speed-trap riddled days we live in. And if a car that gets to 100mph in less than 13 seconds doesn't feel adequate then what will?
What strikes me most when driving a 4.8is or Cayenne TT is how poorly most so called performance saloons perform. They should be 'much' better given the fewer compromises they must overcome but they're not.
>> Edited by DoctorD on Thursday 18th August 20:26
DoctorD said:
With all due respect it doesn't sound like you have any experience of what your talking about.
Doesn't "with all due respect" mean "I think you're a ****, but I'm too polite to say"?
You're right, I don't have a clue, having never driven one, but I was careful not to slate all high performance SUVs. It's this one I don't like. Ok, it's no more or less daft than any of the others, but the X5 and Cayenne Turbo (and Rangie) have a strange appeal. This doesn't. Don't ask me why, because it's a wholly irrational reaction!
i think TVR would get more than 510 BHP from a 6.3 too,they managed 420 from a 4.5[/quote]
Seriously though.. why did Mercedes choose the ML in which to launch their new super-duper AMG 6.3 V8?? They could at least pretend they don't fit the exact same engines into every single model they have!
Russell
'86 190E, '62 Elan
Bill Carr said:
DoctorD said:
With all due respect it doesn't sound like you have any experience of what your talking about.
Doesn't "with all due respect" mean "I think you're a ****, but I'm too polite to say"?
Sorry Bill, I didn't intend to make a personal attack. I just wish people would become a little better informed on the subject. Firstly because they're really missing out and secondly because the continual sniping at SUVs (as a collective category) serves to unjustly undermine some of the better cars in this category.
If I told you I had a car that would go from 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 0-100mph in less than 14 seconds reach 155 mph sounds like a 60s musclecar, pull 0.9G on a skidpan, lap the Hockenheimring faster than a Mini Cooper, and still average 19mpg you would probably be interested. But if I then said that by the way it sits 1.7M tall, has 4WD and can match a Land Rover on all but the most tricky of off-road courses you then question its validity to exist.
I don't hear people criticising an SL55 for being nearly 2 tonnes, not a Ferrari 612 and saying what a waste of a good engine, but maybe that's because they fit the stereotype of a being good looking sportscar. A good engine is good in whatever car it's fitted provided the chassis can handle the power.
A frequent criticism of Mercedes most powerful cars is their inability to put all that power down on the road. This ML63 will have none of those problems which makes it very interesting in my books..
>> Edited by DoctorD on Friday 19th August 10:13
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