Mercedes claim the GL 63 AMG produces 288 g/km of CO2 which is astonishing given the size of both the engine and the car. 0-62mph takes 4.9 seconds and top speed is a limited 155mph. Fuel consumption is 23mpg.
It's quite odd that Mercedes should choose to call this the 63 AMG, rather than 55 AMG given the other 63s - SLS, C - are powered by the 6.2 litre V8 whereas the SLK 55 AMG has the 5.4 litre V8. All very confusing. Obviously Mercedes thought a great big SUV needed great big numbers, but not quite such a great big engine. After all the 6.4 litre V8's fuel consumption and CO2 figures would be dreadful in the GL.
The GL 63 AMG comes with oodles of aids and extras such as (big breath) "seven seats, Intelligent Light System with bi-xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights, AMG bodystyling, privacy glass, an electric glass sunroof, AirMATIC air suspension, Parktronic with Active Park Assist, and COMAND Online with media interface and DAB digital radio tuner, 21” AMG five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in Titanium Grey, AMG high-performance braking system, Active Curve System with AirMATIC, which compensates the roll angle of the vehicle body when driving round bends, and an AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin tailpipes."
Out of all those our favourite is the AMG sports exhaust system which sounds absolutely epic in the SLK 55 AMG.
But, hang on, there's more. On the inside the GL 63 AMG comes with "AMG Performance steering wheel trimmed in nappa leather with perforated grip areas, a flattened bottom section and silver-coloured gear shift paddles, AMG sports seats with AMG-specific seat design upholstered in leather, front and second row heated seats, Memory Package and multi-contour front seats with massage function, and luxury automatic climate control."
Our least favourite out of those is the massaging front seats which are very nice for a few minutes but then never get used again, yet you end up dragging them round as extra weight for the rest of the car's life. Oh, and the flat bottomed steering wheel is silly. A rally car has a bit of tape wrapped round the steering wheel in the 12 o'clock position. This is a much simpler and cheaper way to tell the driver which way up the wheel's meant to be.
The new GL Class looks fantastic for such a huge vehicle. It's a genuine contender for the Range Rover, although the Range Rover is moving forwards with a new model for 2013.
As well as the GL 63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz have announced details of the GL 350 AMG Sport, which costs £59,465 and has a diesel engine....zzzzzzz
