Mercedes-Benz India has launched another product from its AMG lineup in India, the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG SUV. Based on the GL-Class 7-seater SUV, the GL63 is the second most powerful SUV offering from Mercedes’s performance division after the G65 AMG. The SUV combines the luxury offered by the standard GL-Class with a bonkers of an engine and performance parts from AMG. The SUV was launched internationally in 2013 and has been launched here after customer’s interest in the AMG lineup increased. The GL63 AMG will be imported into India via the CBU (completely built-unit) route and therefore is priced pretty high, but as the competition (which includes the Land Rover Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S) is also imported the GL63 does not lose out on value.
Price
The Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG is priced at Rs. 1.66 Crore, ex-showroom Mumbai
What’s New?
Exterior
Though the basic silhouette of the SUV has not changed much compared to the GL-Class, there are enough styling changes all over which indicate that this is GL63. Starting from the front; the grille, lower air-dam, LED-daytime running lamps and the front skid-plate are different. The grille still features two horizontal slats, but they are much sharper as compared to the ones found on the GL-Class. The bumper design is different which includes a larger air-dam, silver skid plates and slightly different LED-daytime running lamps. The LED daytime running lamps are placed slightly higher, the chrome skid plate on the GL-Class has been replaced by silver ones on the GL63 which are placed lower.
Move to the side and the only visual difference that you can see are the wheels, the GL63 features 5-spoke alloy wheels which look very different from the ones found on the GL-Class.
Move to the rear and the styling changes are limited to the bumper. You get three-part mesh elements on the bumper, very noticeable dual twin-exhausts and a silver skid plate.
Interior
Inside the GL63, you’ll have to look into the finer details to spot the differences between it and the GL-Class. Things like the steering wheel, pedals, gear-shift paddles, instrument cluster, seats etc. are different. The steering wheel, while remaining to be a 4-spoke unit has been sourced from AMG and gets a flat-bottom which is supposedly more sporty. The paddle shifts behind the steering wheel are different. The pedals are now more sporty, finished in stainless steel and with more grip. The instrument cluster gets bolder graphics than the ones on the GL-Class. There is ample badges around the SUV to tell you that this one is an AMG, you get badges on the headrests, door sills, on the floor mats and even on the TFT-multimedia-screen on the centre console when you start the vehicle.
Features
The GL63 AMG is ultimately a luxury SUV and you get oodles of it inside. All the features you find on the GL-Class have been carried over and given the AMG treatment. All the seven seats are as luxurious as before but get double contrast stitching, the front occupants also get massage seats which offer even more comfort. It is offered with a 20-CD system with Bluetooth and USB interface, connected to a Harman Kardon 1200W sound system which consists of 14 speakers. The middle-row seats fold neatly forward at a push of a button to provide access to the last-row of seats, these seats are as comfortable as the others and not cramped like many other SUVs.
Performance and Handling
The biggest change in the GL63 AMG is of course, the engine, transmission and handling package incorporated into the SUV.
The GL63 AMG features a 5.5-litre, bi-turbo, V8 petrol engine. The engine has a peak power output of 557 BHP and a maximum torque output of 760 Nm, giving the SUV to sprint from standstill to 100 KMPH in 4.9 seconds and hit a electronically limited top-speed of 250 KMPH; this is despite the fact that this is a full-blown SUV. The GL-Class in India on the other hand is powered by a 258 BHP, 619 Nm V6 Diesel.
The power is transmitted to all four tyres via a 7-speed AMG Speedshift Plus automatic transmission, which also features an Economy mode for those times when you feel guilty about the environment. The power transmitted to the front and rear tyres in a ratio of 40:60 for best ride-dynamics. The GL63 AMG features air-suspension all around with a leveling system to keep things from getting alarming when you decide to floor the throttle and go around a corner. The speed-sensitive electronic steering also contributes to better handling at higher speeds.
The brakes have been enhanced, 390-mm discs at front and 345-mm discs at the rear along with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist and other aids bring the behemoth to a safe and early stop.
What do you think of the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG? Let us know in the comments section below.
