First look: Mercedes' 410kW 4WD

German brand set to launch monster off-roader.
Mercedes-Benz Australia is “seriously considering” introducing an AMG version of the GL-Class SUV.
Based on the second-generation GL-Class which arrives in April, the GL63 joins the recently introduced ML63 and utilitarian G63 as part of AMG’s growing SUV family.
The GL63 is powered by the same 5.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 as its siblings, albeit retuned to develop 410kW and 760Nm of torque - up from 386kW and 700Nm - for a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.9 seconds.

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Mercedes-Benz Australia manager of corporate communications Jerry Stamoulis is confident the GL63 will arrive in local showrooms given the popularity of the smaller, $177,900 ML63 AMG, which traditionally accounts for about 5 per cent of M-Class sales. Pricing is likely to exceed $200,000, rivalling the Range Rover Vogue.
“[The GL63] is a unique proposition for that segment. There won’t be many seven-seat, 410kW-powered SUVs,” Stamoulis says.
The vehicle’s Australian introduction will be confirmed before September.
“It’s one of those vehicles that a handful of our customers will want to upgrade to, but it might also attract customers from different brands.”
Australia is a strong market for AMG, ranking fifth in the world for sales of performance vehicles.
Mercedes-AMG chairman Ola Källenius says the GL63 completes the company’s performance-oriented all-wheel-drive offering.
“Combining the first-rate comfort of the S-Class with the performance of an AMG sports saloon, the GL63 AMG is unique in its segment,” he says.
Mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive, the GL63 officially uses 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the European cycle and emits 288 grams of CO2 per km, making it about 10 per cent more efficient than the lesser-powered GL500.
Fuel-saving features include stop-start, electric steering and demand-responsive control of all ancillary units.
Dynamic aids come from air-controlled sports suspension, adaptive dampers, automatic levelling control and active roll stabilisation to reduce bodyroll through corners. It also benefits from larger sports brakes and rides on 21-inch alloy wheels.
The GL63 is visually distinguished by signature AMG touches including flared wheel arches, a larger front apron and revised lower air intakes for improved cooling, twin chrome tailpipes, and LED daytime-running lights.
Inside it gets leather-trimmed sports seats and artificial leather inserts across the dash, door panels and armrests, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a revised AMG instrument cluster.
Standard equipment highlights include Mercedes’ pre-collision anticipation system, bi-xenon headlights, automatic tailgate, sunroof, keyless start, seat massagers, three-zone climate-control and “crosswind assist” to aid stability at high speeds.
Mercedes is still finalising the line-up of regular GL-Class range, which will include at least one diesel variant.'
The most likely contender is the entry-level GL350 BlueTec, which accounts for 80 per cent of GL sales. The slower-selling diesel V8-powered GL450 remains an uncertainty at this stage.
Priced from $131,490 (plus on-road and dealer costs), the GL350 BlueTec is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 that develops 195kW of power and 620Nm of torque. Despite the current model’s 2500-kilogram-plus kerb weight, it officially uses 9.2L/100km and emits 242g/km of CO2.
The other likely offering is the petrol-powered GL500, to cater for the 10 per cent of “traditional ‘500’ customers” and slot in the middle of the range. It is powered by a 300kW/600Nm 4.6-litre twin-turbo V8 already found in the ML500, S500 limousine and its CL500 coupe sibling.