All vehicles—AMGs included—have their compromises and shortcomings, but
Mercedes-Benz’s performance arm is on a basic philosophical plane that we very
much admire: If a vehicle exists, cram more motor into it. Small, medium, and
large sedans? (Plus another medium with a different roofline?) Check. Coupes?
Check. Roadsters? Check. SUVs? Check. Thirty-three-year-old military vehicle?
Check. Crazy-ass luxury minivan? Check. The German powerhouse hit its stride
over the past five years, stuffing a 6.2-liter V-8 of its own creation into a
wider variety of Mercedes-Benzes than have ever worn the badge of Aufrecht,
Melcher, and Grossaspach at one time. Then, in the name of efficiency, the brand
ditched that motor in favor of a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8. In doing so, AMG
dropped not one horsepower and stumbled onto 185 more lb-ft of torque than its
suddenly sleepy-looking 6.2 had in its strongest form. (We will for now ignore
the new engine’s acoustic deficiency.)
Currently, the M157 twin-turbo is available in seven different Benzes. Its
output varies among them. The ML tested here with the optional Performance
package makes 550 hp and has its twist capped at 560 lb-ft. The latter, need we
remind you, is still more than in any other SUV on the market. That prodigious
output thrust the 5285-pound ML seen here to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, to 100 in
9.8, and through the quarter-mile in 12.6 at 113 mph. Given enough space, it’ll
stretch its legs all the way to a governor-limited 175. (Because you and that
small herd of goats you’re hauling would otherwise want to go faster.)
Faster Than We Can Count
Although the turbos muffle some of the sound of small explosions happening as
many as 480 times a second, the ML was never the most vocal AMG. Its engine is,
however, a very smooth device for combusting gasoline at such a furious rate.
With max torque available from 2000 rpm to 5000 and horsepower peaking at 5750,
the ML driver experiences one long pull from stationary to “Well, Officer, I
honestly had no idea I was going that fast. The baby (goat) didn’t even wake
up!” The ML63 AMG does execute fluttering burps on upshifts and some mild
spitting on downshifts and overrun, though, so that those who wish they’d
instead bought an E63 AMG wagon don’t trade in their M-classes immediately.
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED: $109,010 (base price: $95,865)
ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8,
aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 333 cu in, 5461 cc
Power: 550 hp @ 5750 rpm
Torque: 560 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 114.8 in
Length: 189.1 in
Width: 84.3 in
Height: 70.7 in
Curb weight: 5285 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.8
sec
Zero to 130 mph: 17.4 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.8 sec
Top
gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile:
12.6 sec @ 113 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 175 mph
Braking, 70–0
mph: 164 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.88 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 14/18 mpg
C/D observed:
13 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited.
