2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Preview

Believe it or not, some people who buy SUVs have no intention of going off-road. They don’t even care if their ride like it can go off-road. They just want a tall driving position combined with sure-footed all-wheel drive for inclement weather. And they definitely do not want a minivan. Mercedes-Benz builds the ML350 and ML500 just for this kind of buyer. But there is another kind of buyer who wants – and does not want – those same attributes in a vehicle, combined with athleticism and driving dynamics uncommon within the sport-utility genre. For this more demanding buyer, Mercedes-Benz has developed the new 2007 ML63 AMG.

What it is

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG is an M-Class sport/utility that has received a full AMG treatment to produce exceptional power and performance. Highlights include a 503-horsepower engine, sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes and tires, interior revisions, and exterior styling modifications.

Why it matters

When the 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG goes on sale, it will mark the return of all-wheel drive to the product lineup. AMG hopes that the ML63’s tweaked 4Matic AWD system will appeal to buyers who live in areas of the country where inclement weather is the rule rather than the exception.

What’s under the hood

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG gets a full-body massage that transforms it from an upscale suburban SUV into a pavement-mauling -utility. A hand-built, 6.3-liter V8 whips up 503 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, good for getting the muscular ML63 AMG from zero to 60 mph in just five seconds. Power flows to all four wheels through a specially-calibrated seven-speed automatic transmission that can be manually shifted using buttons on the steering wheel. The driver can even choose between three shift programs: sport (S), comfort (C), or manual (M). The 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63’s modified 4Matic AWD system splits power 40/60 front-to-rear for a sporty feel from behind the wheel. Other hardware upgrades include stiffer shocks for the standard Airmatic suspension system, a sport-tuned version of the adaptive damping system (ADS), bigger brakes with vented and perforated rotors, and polished 20-inch wheels wearing 295/40 Z-rated performance tires.

What’s inside

Inside, Nappa leather AMG sport seats with Alcantara inserts grip occupants tightly for aggressive maneuvers, and the driver faces a sport three-spoke steering wheel and an AMG gauge cluster. Further underlining the 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG’s true purpose in life is an integrated lap timer – and we’re not talking about laps around a moto-cross course.

What it looks like

Mercedes-Benz AMG models are not just about the hardware – how else would the Joneses know you bought the top-dog model without the subtle exterior and interior modifications that mark every AMG product? On the 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, that means a different grille, bolder front and rear aprons, flared fenders, and stainless-steel running boards. Unique wheels, tinted taillights, and two sets of chromed twin-pipe exhaust outlets round out the changes on the outside.

What we think

Most buyers who select the 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG will do so simply because it’s the most expensive one in the lineup, so therefore it must be “best,” which means all the neighbors and professional colleagues will envy them. These people have no intent of exploring the ML63 AMG’s performance boundaries. Other buyers might think they’ll whip down a favorite road in this rig, but will soon discover that perhaps a Dodge Magnum SRT-8 might be a better choice. The rest will be loyal AMG customers who want all-wheel-drive for inclement weather.

When you can buy it

The new Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG arrives this August, marking the return of all-wheel drive to the AMG lineup. Pricing has not been set.

Key Specifications

Engine Size and Type: 6.3-liter V8 Engine Horsepower: 503 Engine Torque: 465 lb.-ft. Transmission: Seven-speed automatic with manual shift buttons on steering wheel Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited) Tire Size: 295/40ZR20 Max. Seating Capacity: Five Competitors: Audi S4 Avant, BMW X5 4.8is, Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS, Dodge Magnum SRT-8, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S

Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz North America and Ron Perry