2011 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: This truck is silly. Who needs a 500-hp SUV? No one really, but that's not to say this isn't a hoot. It is. It's fast, solid and for weighing 5,000 pounds, it handles decently.
How fast is this ute? As fast as a Lamborghini Gallardo, according to Mercedes-Benz, which is plenty fast enough. The power and torque are effortless and the engine growls beautifully. The steering is nice and the ride isn't as harsh as I'd feared it might be. It handles well for a big truck. It's not a sports car but there's a ton of grip. This baby is quite entertaining and yet it will dawdle along like a luxury ute.
Comfort mode has the car gliding along while sport hunkers down everything and makes the gearbox shift faster. I played around with sport mode for a bit and then went back to comfort. I have a feeling that's what most owners will do.
The seats are comfortable and grippy and hold you in place while you fling the beast around. I suppose the only competition is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: Just as comedian Robin Williams said, "Cocaine is God's way of telling you that you have too much money," an ML63 might be saying the same thing. Does anyone really need something this large to go this fast? Probably not, but it's a hoot, none the less. There's a great rumble from the exhaust and massive thrust from the V8--just like a 500-hp mill should be. As Wes noted, handling is better than you might expect, with tons of grip, nicely weighted steering and outstanding seats.
MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: At one time I made fun, without hesitation, of such truly illogical machines, but the last few years have forced me to reconsider.
Does anyone need this level of performance in an SUV? Heavens, no. Then again, does anyone need it in a Ferrari or a Porsche or a Lamborghini? No, but that doesn't stop me from wanting it.
The thing that has changed for me slowly, though, is that nowadays I also want that in an SUV such as this ML. Consider that this thing weighs 100 pounds less than the Bentley Continental GT we tested recently. Think about that. On one hand, you say the Bentley is too heavy, which it is. On the other hand, it tells you something about the performance potential on-hand in the AMG.
The bottom line is that the ML63 is flat fun to drive hard. Just like Porsche's Cayenne. Some of that stems from the fact that it takes you a while to wrap your head (and hands and feet) around the performance potential that it offers. Jump in a Ferrari and you expect it to do certain things, but these ultraperformance SUVs defy your expectations. I've driven plenty of them now, yet I'm still pleasantly surprised by how well this ute brakes, corners and accelerates. It's a ridiculous type of fun--but also a ridiculous amount of fun. And if anyone who owns one of these things tells you they bought it for any other reason, they are either lying or just tooling around town like a clueless, well, tool. I almost wished I had a bunch of kids to rocket to a soccer game when I drove this ML.
Almost. OK, perhaps nothing is that good . . .
2011 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
Base Price: $93,465
As-Tested Price: $94,185
Drivetrain: 6.3-liter V8; AWD, seven-speed automatic
Output: 503 hp @ 6,800 rpm, 465 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm
Curb Weight: 5,093 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 13/13.9 mpg
Options: Palladium silver paint ($720)
Credit: Auto Week
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