By Mark Elias
Wednesday, Jan 25th, 2012 @ 11:45 am

The old saying goes that “too much is never enough.”

That seems to be the perfect raison d’être for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG . This SUV, recently refreshed for the 2012 model year was revealed in September 2011 as the regular ML350. And, following in three-pointed star tradition, we now have the reappearance of the AMG-branded hot rod.

Hop in with Leftlane as we go deep in the heart of California pistachio country to test this ridiculous beast.

Yes: We said ridiculous. It violates the laws of physics. Sir Isaac Newton would be proud. Or at least wake up from his long dirt nap.

Flushed
The AMG brand is flush with product. According to AMG management board member Tobias Moers (who also happens to be the head of AMG vehicle development), Mercedes-Benz AMG created the high-performance SUV segment and through the line there are now 15 products in the market.

That’s more than from any other hi-per division of any maker and it’s probably the reason that sales of AMG products are up nearly 7 percent in 2011 over the previous year. Are there too many? You be the judge.

Powerful and more powerful
Available with the new 5.5-liter V8 Biturbo (twin-turbocharger) engine, at 518 horsepower at 5,250 rpm, it is in rare company. But if that’s still not enough, the AMG Performance Package pushes things even further, up to 550 horsepower, which is still just under the class leading BMW X5M’s 555 ponies. Frankly, we’re surprised that the Merc didn’t show up with 556 horsepower.

Other players in the segment include the Range Rover Sport Supercharged, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the AMG’s platform-mate, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

The direct-injected V8 manages to deliver 516 lb-ft of torque between 1,750 and 5,000 rpm, while the added boost to the twin turbos bring the performance package-enhanced version to 560 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm. Top speed for both is a governed 155 mph and 174 mph, respectively. By the regular version and you’ll see 0-60 mph tick off in 4.8 seconds. Buy the goodness that is the performance package and it will chip off one-tenth of a second faster at 4.7-secs. That’s still quite heady considering that although curb weight has not been announced yet, it is still north of 5,000 lbs.

The ML63 comes with a single choice of transmission. The proven AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-tronic slusher performed flawlessly during our jaunt up California Highway 33. Taking matters into our own hands was as easy was as flipping the steering wheel-mounted paddle shift levers. With Mercedes’ column mounted gear selector, the paddles are the only game in town. All AMG-equipped ML class vehicles also come with their Eco start/stop function, which works in the Comfort Efficiency mode. If you are dealing in this realm of automobilia, then it really shouldn’t matter, but according to Mercedes–Benz, the tech is good for a 28 percent increase in fuel economy. Although EPA figures have not been released yet, our gauge showed an average of 18-mpg with a rather aggressive driving style. Frankly, that’s pretty good for a high-power ‘ute.

With a dedicated transfer box, the ML63′s 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system sends power to the wheels in a 40–60 front-to-rear bias, for a higher performance drive feel. The AIRMATIC suspension is automatic by way of its independent dampers, automatic leveling control, and adaptive damping system, which adjust the damper rates on the fly. Comfort levels are controllable via the console-mounted button which steps through Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Manual modes.

The ML63 AMG also comes equipped, standard, with active anti-roll front and rear stabilizer bars, which compensate for body roll as needed. They have the ability to couple and uncouple as required by the adaptive system for optimum handling and added stability at high speeds.

Standard safety items include active lane keep assist, with correction, which saw torque vectoring come into play when we approached or crossed the center line, without the use of a turn signal.

Looking inside and out
Subtle cues give notice this is the hot-rodded version of M-B’s most popular SUV. Go-fast doodads and logos that boast of AMG equipment on board are one way, but so too the large engine cooling intakes under bumper. That, and the Biturbo badging on the front fenders. There are some AMG specific design cues including an alloy splitter in front, a rear diffuser and fascia that surround the pair of dual pipes on each side. We are still puzzled by the inclusion of running boards on any SUV of this size. Although not on our main (white) demonstrator, we experienced the joys of dirty pant legs when getting in and out of another vehicle that was so equipped. On one hand the ML class is too close to the ground, in which case you step right over the running board. On the other it doesn’t ride high enough to really warrant the need for such equipment.

Our launch vehicle was nicely turned out in a black and aluminum dashboard arrangement contrasted by ivory-colored hide-covered hides, which featured excellent bolstering and support through the long day of driving. They were also equipped with the greatest thing since sliced bread, the ventilated seat, which manages to combat the flop sweats while negotiating quick 90 degree turns and hairpin switchbacks. Rear seat legroom was good for both children and adults, although it might be a tad tight for three adults.

As far as creature comforts are concerned, all the normal items are included with the exception of an optional Bang&Olufsen BeoSound 14-speaker sound system. We find it humorous that the standard harman/kardon unit is considered the “second tier” audio system.

At the wheel
This 5.5–liter V8 is one of the world’s great engines. Hand built in Affalterbach, Germany; it follows the AMG mantra of one man, one engine. It is built in the old country and shipped to Alabama, the home of the first AMG vehicles assembled outside of Germany.

Under pressure the ML63 gives great throat, with a growl that is intoxicating. We saw nearly instant response when we squeezed the pedal, and found ourselves quickly into triple digits. The massive AMG 20-inch alloys and brakes with cross-drilled rotors bit and managed to protect us from ourselves on SoCal mountain roads, which can still whip things up in the digestive tract.

Handling is stellar with the electromechanical steering that is very similar to the type seen in the CLS. Comfort, Sport and Manual shock settings offer three styles of suspension setups. We appreciated the hunkered down feeling that comes with the AMG suspension geometry. To our tastes, it manages to instill a confident ride to a segment that is not really known for such.

Leftlane’s bottom line
With brick-like aerodynamics, it’s easy to imagine the 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG has a chip on its shoulder.

With motivational help from the home office, anyone with nearly $100K to spend can own the fastest SUV to afternoon soccer practice.

2013 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG base price, $95,865.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.

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