Mercedes-Benz has finally shown its new AMG variant of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class today in the US at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2012. The GL 63 AMG will compete with the BMW X5M, Range Rover Supercharged and the Toyota Land Cruiser, and we had a look what it has to offer.
The GL63 AMG gets the AMG 5.5 liter V8 biturbo engine that has become synonymous with the ’63’ badge. In the GL-Class it produces a peak output of 557hp and maximum torque of 760Nm. This allows a 0 to 100km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
The gearbox will be a seven-speed AMG Speedshift Plus 7G Tronic which transmits the power to the permanent four-wheel drive system. The gear box gets three modes and an automatic double-declutching function for downshifting. These include “Controlled Efficiency” (C) mode where the ECO start/stop function is active, Sport (S) and Manual (M) modes.
The exterior design features AMG elements including a new front apron with larger openings, a bottom air intake, trim inserts finished in matt silver chrome around the air intake and LED daytime running lamps in the side air vents. Wheel-arch flaring widens the car by 20 millimeters on each side and the wings and illuminated running boards get V8 Biturbo logos. At the rear, the AMG sports exhaust system with its quad pipes is perhaps the most telling visual image of the GL63 AMG.
Inside, all seven seats in the high-performance SUV are covered in high-quality leather. Electrically adjustable AMG sports seats have been fitted with AMG badging, an AMG Performance four-spoke steering wheel is fitted and you get the AMG instrument cluster with central colour TFT monitor.
For more information on the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG, check our official story!
[Photos by Effspot Photography]
