Mercedes ML63 AMG gets a tweak

The very slightly tweaked 2011 Mercedes ML63 AMG

Somehow, the Mercedes ML63 AMG doesn’t quite make it in to our heads when we thing of barking mad, ‘too powerful for their own good’ SUVs. Top of that list is filled by the Porsche Cayenne Turbo with the BMW X5M and X6M bringing up the reserve position. But we should consider it. It’s almost supercar quick.

Perhaps because BMW and Porsche have been hogging the Super-SUV headlines of late Mercedes has decided to give the ML63 AMG a bit of a tweak. But really, the tweaks are so minor they smack of tweaks for the sake of a headline rather than for any real improvement. Still, we’re here to tell you what’s going on.

For the 2011MY Mercedes wish to tempt you with a bit of smoked plastic on the lights, chrome underbody skid plates back and front and a slightly re-shaped bonnet. And we think that’s it. No mention of any extra power or more economy – the usual tweak-time specials. Certainly no mention of the new twin turbo 5.5 litre V8 that’s due to replace the 6.2 litre V8 in Mercedes range.

Still, the ML63 AMG will carry on delivering 500 horses and almost as many lb/ft of torque. It will scoot to 60mph in less than 5 seconds – all good. It will kick out a less than politically correct (and increasingly tax-painful) 392 carbon dioxides. And it will struggle to do better than 16mpg – all not so good.

But at least its lights now have smoked plastic instead of clear.

By Cars UK