After bringing the G63, SLK55 and E63 AMG models last year to India, Stuttgart based auto giant Mercedes-Benz will be launching the GL63 AMG in India. The GL63 is the performance version of the GL-Class SUV and is expected with a price tag north of Rs. 1.5 crores when launched. Given the fact that the SUV weighs at a heavy 2.5 tons, the GL63 can easily give a full blown performance sedan a run for its money. Mercedes will bring the GL63 AMG as a completely build unit in the country.
The 2014 Mercedes GL63 AMG keeps things simple on the outside. The luxury performance SUV does not get any significant changes on the front to differentiate from the regular GL-Class. However, come to the rear and you find the quad exhausts as well as the AMG badging to tell you what’s under the hood of this massive SUV. Moving on to the inside, you find the interiors with a sporty theme. You get the three-spoke AMG steering wheel as well as ventilated sport seats. The SUV packs in a Harman Kardon audio system, Sirius satellite radio, navigation system, panoramic sunroof and tri-zone automatic climate control as part of standard kit.
Differentiating the AMG model from the regular variant is the ostentatious 5.5-litre; bi-turbo V8 engine tuned to produce 565 PS of power and a staggering 760 Nm of torque, which is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The GL63 AMG completes the 0-100 km/hr run in a claimed 4.9 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/hr. Power is sent to all four wheels via Mercedes’ 4-Matic system.
The GL63 features three driving modes namely Comfort, Sport and Sporty Plus. The Sport Plus mode is limited to the AMG variants only and is essentially to bring out all the 565 horses to play around, while comfort mode is tuned for relaxed yet urgent style of driving. The SUV also gets the COMAND infotainment system and can seat seven passengers in comfort. The AMG tuned Mercedes SUV gets the handling characteristics spot on with the use of automatic level control, independent damper struts, Adaptive Damping, active cruise control and AIRMATIC springs. The vehicle will also get Active Curve control as standard.
Essentially, the Mercedes GL63 AMG is targeted towards the wealthy few who want to get from point A to B quickly and in style. Moreover, the GL63 is a practical SUV, which can be used on a daily basis. The typical AMG exhaust note though, does remind you of the kind of power you are dealing with. The SUV will be competing against the BMW X5 M and the Land Rover Ranger Rover Sport in the performance luxury SUV segment when it goes on sale next month in India.
