Text & photos courtesy DaimlerChrysler AG
edited 08-17-2005

World premiere at the 61st IAA in Frankfurt/Main
Pole position in the off-road segment

The Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG sets a new standard in the sporty off-roader segment. The new top-of-the–range model in the M-Class goes straight to the top of the competitive lineup with its 375 kW/510 hp AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine. This new off-roader developed by Mercedes-AMG stands for sportiness and dynamism at the highest level, while its exclusive appointments meet even the most demanding requirements. The ML 63 AMG celebrates its world premiere at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main, and will be launched during the second quarter of 2006.

The powerful heart of a high-performance athlete beats beneath the bonnet of the ML 63 AMG: as a completely new and autonomous development by Mercedes-AMG, the AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine generates an output of 375 kW/510 hp at 6800 rpm and a maximum torque of 630 Newton metres at 5200 rpm; this makes the new AMG powerpack the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine in regular production.

This unique combination of a high engine speed concept and a large displacement enables the best of both worlds to be achieved: outstanding liveliness accompanied by powerful torque from low engine speeds. The driver of the ML 63 AMG experiences the decidedly sporty character of the new AMG V8-engine in the form of great agility and dynamic responsiveness in all engine speed ranges.

No other off-roader in the direct competitive lineup has a larger displacement and output than the new ML 63 AMG. The AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine provides the performance levels of a sports car, with acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds and a maximum speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). Compared to the preceding ML 55 AMG with 255 kW/347 hp and 510 Newton metres, the new ML 63 AMG generates 46 percent more output and 23 percent more torque.

Power transfer in the top M-Class model is via an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with a DIRECT SELECT shift lever mounted by the steering wheel. Three shift modes specially configured for the sporty performance characteristics of the AMG V8-engine ensure that the power is used to best effect. These shift modes - "S" (Sport), "C" (Comfort) and "M" (Manual) – are selected using a switch in the centre console and differ in their gearshift characteristics and speed.



As in a Formula 1 racing car, the seven gears can be changed using the gearshift buttons on the AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel. The permanent four-wheel drive of the ML 63 AMG is also decidedly sporty in nature: in the interests of the best possible agility and performance on bends, the generous power of the AMG V8-engine is distributed to the front and rear axles on a 40:60 basis. A specially strengthened drive train ensures an optimal power transfer and the reliability typical of a Mercedes.



AMG sports suspension and AMG high-performance braking system



The AMG sports suspension based on AIRMATIC ensures high cornering speeds, precise directional stability and low levels of body roll while providing excellent long-distance comfort. The air suspension features AMG-specific damper struts and the specially configured adaptive damping system ADS. A level control system automatically lowers the suspension at higher speeds.



Road contact is via high-sheen 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-spoke design. Fitted with 295/45 R 19 wide-base tyres all-round, this wheel/tyre combination not only impresses with its muscular appearance, but also ensures that the sporty performance is translated to the road. High-sheen 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design with 295/40 R 20 wide-base tyres are available as an option. The shortest possible braking distances are guaranteed by the generously dimensioned AMG high-performance braking system behind the AMG light-alloy wheels, which features internally ventilated and indented brake discs all-round.



Striking appearance with AMG styling and flared wings



Wide, muscular, with a broad stance and poised to leap forward – the visual appearance of the new ML 63 AMG immediately confirms its special position in the range. The athletic design of this powerful off-roader is characterised by its striking AMG styling with a front and rear apron, an AMG-specific radiator grille, flared wings, stainless steel running boards with rubber studs and tinted rear lights. Both visually and acoustically, the AMG sports exhaust system with two chrome-plated twin tail-pipes emphasises the power and dynamism of the top-of-the-range model in the M-Class.



Dynamically designed interior with exclusive standard appointments

Sportiness is also the order of the day in the interior of the ML 63 AMG. The exclusive interior features include AMG sports seats with nappa leather upholstery, alcantara inserts in the shoulder areas, a multicontour function and heating, the AMG ergonomic leather sports steering wheel with gearshift buttons, AMG door sills and stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs. The AMG instrument cluster is equally dynamic with its AMG-specific lettering, red needles and 320 km/h speedometer scale.

The ML 63 AMG also meets the highest requirements in terms of safety: 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. After its world premiere at the International Automobile Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main, the ML 63 AMG will be officially launched during the second quarter of 2006.

source with more pics HERE

 

Is this the start of the "who has the fastest SUV" war?

 

I like the headlights

 

wow the car looks soooo much better!

 

I prefer the 6.3 in something else...like the 'C' Class

 

That thing is a monster!!! I can't wait to see full road tests.

Whether or not it will make it to production or not is one thing.... but Mercedes has trademarked the names C63 and SLK63

I think benz needs a C63 if they want to compete with the M3. With the new M3 V8 expected to run around or a little over 400hp... it is going to be FAST and i'm almost willing to say its going to handle better than any mercedes AMG... minus the McLaren. I know lots of people here seem to dislike the whole idea of having a lot of hp.... but if the next CxxAMG had a 100hp advantage over the M... it'd at least give it something to make up for the less agile handling.

 

I'd still take a Cayenne Turbo over it.

 

According to Edmunds' latest video on this 6.3L engine (and a CLK DTM using it!), YES there will be a C63!!
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ode=medlanding

The new ML looks great. The AMG kit only makes it even better, if not the best looking SUV out there.

Now if only it had a good-looking interior to match. At least it's better than the 1st-gen.

 

As we all know here...handling can be fixed (and it won't be that far off to begin with).

My understanding is that a C63 will be coming out as a special edition AMG (475hp or so...but we know there is room to grow with this engine ) to the normal updated C55 (slightly over 400hp) It will probably come with the AMG racing seats, upgraded brakes, suspension, etc...like the Nurburing suspension they offer as an option in Germany.

I will save up my pennies for this one...

 

Ya a less balanced car! More hp and less handling is a BAD combo!!!

Ill take the M3 if it means its more neutral and a joy to drive! In that case we might as well go back to the days where you could get a big block 435+ hp stingray corvette (sure the hp were gross rated.. but they were way underated so Im sure itd all even out if converted back to net rated hp I wonder what kinda numbers a L88 would put down if dynoed! but thats beside the point.) , that might.. might match the rolling accelaration of a current corvette, but then the car is equipped with this tiny 15 inch high sidewall tires with rather low grip capabilities... that I wouldnt even consider adequate in the current 140 hp car im trying to put together!

 

A less balanced car? Wrong assumption. Quite the opposite, actually.

The new 6.3L engine is MUCH more than just a bored-out 5.5L AMG. Lightweight material is used throughout, and most importantly, no heavy supercharger!
According to Edmunds' article, the new 6.3L actually weighs 55 lbs. LESS than the outgoing 5.5L! Bigger is not always heavier. You just gotta give it to the Germans on this one.

 

A C63 would more likely compete with the Audi RS4. A C63 with 500+ horsepower vs. a 400 hp M3 wouldn't be a fair matchup.

 

Love that ML63!

 

now Lexus should come out with a supercharged RX, then infiniti will do something to make the FX even faster. i can seriously see infiniti making a FX55. I like the way the tires look. wide tires look good on a SUV and i see that they are pretty wide on the pic of the M. is it called the M or ML?

 

Lexus won't come out with a supercharged anything. Toyota is all about making awesome power out of engines while still keeping them low emissions and high fuel economy. The only thing you'll really ever see Lexus attach to any of their engines is the Hybrid Synergy Drive module for their "h" versions of the vehicles.

An Infiniti FX56 (using the 5.6 out of the QX56 and the Titan) wouldn't really do much good except torque. The 5.6 isn't really a powerful engine, it's just very torque. In fact, the 4.5 (FX45) has the same amount of power as the 5.6, but a lot less torque. However, I don't doubt that with a little tuning and tweaking here or there, you could make a powerful 5.6L engine.

It's the ML class. The "M" is Infiniti's midsize sedan (their answer to the GS), or the Motorsport versions of BMW's vehicles.