The all new performance driven Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), GL63 AMG, is announced by the German car maker, Mercedes Benz. This car holds the same powertrain unit which features in the outgoing SL63 AMG roadster and ML63 AMG SUV. Scheduled to be launched in US by 2013, the crossover will have a seating capacity of 7 individuals and will be rolled out in Europe by the year end. The price tag of the model is expected to be made public by the company before its official launch.
In typical Mercedes style, the car boasts of top-in-class safety features, power specifications and brilliant looks. The GL63 AMG incorporates a wide range of equipment as standard features and cutting edge technology. The 5.5L V8 bi-turbo petrol powertrain unit, powering the model, is built to churn out an impressive output of 550 bhp and maximum torque clocking at 760 Nm. With an electronically capped top speed of 250 kmph, the SUV can touch the 100 kmph figure from standstill in just 4.9 seconds.
Spray-guided direct petrol injection, bi-turbo charging, piezo injectors, all-aluminium crankcase, air/water inter cooling and a four-valve-per-cylinder with variable camshaft adjustment are the features equipped within the engine of this car.
In order to assist the performance of this engine, the GL63 AMG comes with a 7-speed automatic AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission unit. The unit provides diversity as it comes with an automatic double-declutching function for down-shifting and three driving modes, namely Sports (S), Manual (M) and Controlled Efficiency (C). On selecting the 'C' mode, the unique ECO start/stop button is activated by default which shuts the powertrain as soon as it comes to halt. With a second gear start up, the 'C' mode is also synonymous with gentle accelerator and transmission details during early gear changes. The driver can know if the ECO start/stop function is engaged or not just by looking at a green "ECO" symbol in the AMG instrument cluster. The 'S' and 'M' modes provide the driver with better balance, speed, strength and coordination while the start/stop function stays inactive.
With features like a fuel-economy converter with centrifugal pendulum, bearings designed for reduced friction loss and a transmission-oil thermal management system, the automatic gearshift ensures better fuel efficiency. The mileage of this car is further enhanced by friction loss-minimised axle gears, electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering, an optimised belt drive and a demand-responsive control of all ancillary units and the pumps. The NEDC mileage of the vehicle stood at 8.1 kmpl with CO2 emissions at 288 gpkm.
Besides above mentioned features, the car incorporates AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension system with AIRMATIC package which consists of special damper struts, air suspension, automatic level control and Adaptive Damping System (ADS). All these features are combined with the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM, which results in active roll stabilisation.
Chairman, Mercedes-AMG GmbH, Ola Källenius, said, “The new GL 63 AMG completes our performance-oriented all-wheel drive offering. In addition to the ML 63 AMG all-rounder and the recently unveiled, characterful G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG models, the GL 63 AMG places particular emphasis on dynamism and style. Combining the first-rate comfort of the S-Class with the performance of an AMG sports saloon, the GL 63 AMG is unique in its segment.”
