Equipped with the optional 鈥楶erformance Package鈥? the ML63 AMG nudges the performance ceiling of the segment marginally higher: it produces 549bhp, distancing itself from the BMW X5 M by a mere two brake horsepower. The main gripe you might have with a large-displacement petrol engine in an equally-large SUV is, of course, poor fuel economy - but Mercedes engineers have dug deep into their bag of tricks to keep consumption at a tolerable level. A start/stop system is fitted as standard, while the 鈥楥ontrolled Efficiency鈥?gearbox mode (others are 鈥楽port鈥?and 鈥楳anual鈥? encourages frugal driving behaviour by changing up gears early and pulling away from standstill in second gear in most situations. However, all that 鈥榚 ncouraging鈥?is undone by the aural drama: the bassy note urges the driver to hold onto gears that much longer when in manual mode, just to hear the pitch ascent of the V8鈥檚 burbling grumble. As a result, the 23.9mpg combined figure will seldom be achieved in practice; a figure below 20mpg is likely for all but the most featherfooted. The air suspension also has three settings: 鈥楥omfort鈥? 鈥楽port鈥?and 鈥楽 port Plus鈥?

Equipped with the optional 鈥楶erformance Package鈥? the ML63 AMG nudges the performance ceiling of the segment marginally higher: it produces 549bhp, distancing itself from the BMW X5 M by a mere two brake horsepower. The main gripe you might have with a large-displacement petrol engine in an equally-large SUV is, of course, poor fuel economy - but Mercedes engineers have dug deep into their bag of tricks to keep consumption at a tolerable level. A start/stop system is fitted as standard, while the 鈥楥ontrolled Efficiency鈥?gearbox mode (others are 鈥楽port鈥?and 鈥楳anual鈥? encourages frugal driving behaviour by changing up gears early and pulling away from standstill in second gear in most situations. However, all that 鈥榚ncouraging鈥?is undone by the aural drama: the bassy note urges the driver to hold onto gears that much longer when in manual mode, just to hear the pitch ascent of the V8鈥檚 burbling grumble. As a result, the 23.9mpg combined figure will seldom be achieved in practice; a figure below 20mpg is likely for all but the most featherfooted. The air suspension also has three settings: 鈥楥omfort鈥? 鈥楽port鈥?and 鈥楽port Plus鈥?

However, Comfort mode fails to live up to its title, with both driver and passengers being given too much detail about the road鈥檚 surface. A wider spread between the three stages would have been beneficial, not only to provide more cruising comfort, but also to highlight the abilities of the driving dynamics when a more assertive setting is selected. On winding roads, the direct steering, snatching brakes and active roll reduction system play out their benefits, assisted by a power distribution of 60:40, with a rearward bias. The sportscar-like cornering ensures an almost surreal driving experience from the off-roader - that the ML63 AMG tips a hefty 2,345kg on the scales is hard to believe. Whether the driver is questioning or contemplative of the ML63鈥檚 abilities, it always takes care of them thanks to an armada of assistance systems - however, these can be disabled in most cases, should the driver feel ultra-inquisitive. The interior of the ML63 AMG distinguishes itself from lesser stablemates by including a specific 200mph speedometer, a leather-clad instrument panel and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, with the aluminium shift paddles being imported directly from the 鈥榥ormal鈥?M-Class models. As expected, the ML63 also receives some exterior visual clues to its potency: it has wider bumpers and more substantial side sills, a front apron with large, geometric air intakes, a visually corresponding rear apron and a four-pipe exhaust system. In addition, 20-inch wheels are standard, with 21-inch rims available for an extra outlay.

The exclusive Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 10th Anniversary is the 375-kW/510-hp top M-Class model fascinating with its striking appearance and extraordinary standard features. With the ML63 AMG 10th Anniversary, Mercedes AMG is celebrating ten years of high-performance SUVs. The Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG with a 255-kW/347-hp AMG 5.5-l V8 engine, launched in 1999, is considered the trendsetter and founder of an entire vehicle segment. The Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 10th Anniversary jubilee model was developed in the AMG Performance Studio and showcases AMG's expertise in catering to the wishes of individual customers. The experts at the AMG Performance Studio were also responsible for developing the new Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series, as well as Official F1 Safety Car and Official F1 Medical Car. The newly designed front end dominates the extraordinary appearance of the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 10th Anniversary: the bonnet with power domes catches the eye, as does the radiator grille with fins painted Himalaya grey.

A matching Himalaya grey underseal and fog lamp fittings form a delightful contrast to the exterior paintwork in metallic obsidian black, metallic iridium silver and calcite white. Shaded Bi-Xenon headlights add the finishing touch to the front view. The AMG sports seats can be adjusted electronically, and feature a multi-contour function and seat heating. A new feature is the exquisite two-tone nappa leather upholstery available in two different colour combinations: black/alpaca grey and black/beige. The AMG sports steering wheel is also two-tone, designed to match the interior colour scheme. Perforated leather covering the grip area ensures optimum handling, and the AMG switch paddles enable manual gear changing. The exclusive tone is emphasised not just by the upper part of the dashboard clad in designo leather and the black roof lining, but also the charcoal poplar wood trim. With the new ML63 AMG 10th Anniversary, Mercedes AMG GmbH is celebrating ten years of AMG high-performance SUVs. The ML55 AMG, the high-performing top model from the popular first generation of M-Class vehicles, was launched in September 1999 at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt on Main. As the founder of the new "high-performance SUV" segment, the ML55 AMG quickly became a best seller in the AMG range of models.