Mercedes Benz ML  AMG head on view

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Review: Masked Lunacy

Appearance, Cabin & Kit

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG  alloy wheels(39)

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG right three quarters (31)

In comparison to a vanilla ML-Class SUV, this AMG kitted tall car looks pretty identical to its civilized brethren. Looks alone mostly script a fast tale about a car’s sporty aspirations, for that matter, the ML 63 looks pretty sober and disguised. Take away those V8 Bi-turbo and AMG badges, the front and rear bumpers with wider air scoops, those starry 20-inch 5-spoke AMG wheels, the chrome finished quad AMG exhaust system and there is nothing that will tell you that this car is special. It could be a good thing for those who like their things to reflect their outer docile personality, the ones who put on a mask that hides the madness within.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG headlight close-up  (37)

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG  tail light (50)

However, there are elements which are striking too. Like the ellipsoidal headlights which hide an angry looking round shaped projector, shadowed by a curvaceous LED strip. Horizontal DRLs infused above the large air dams add some flair, while twin air-scoops on the hood and a large honeycombed air-dam act as additional nostrils for the large V8 that hides inside.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG head on view (30) Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Side view right (25)

Sideways, it is unmistakeably an ML, with a sloping C-pillar that would’ve rather made it a sedan, had it not been for the extended floating roof which is supported by a blacked out D-stanchion. Further below, the ML 63 gets side steps and a V8 Bi-turbo badge on the fender.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG  Rear head-on(22)

It is at the Kim Kardashian end of things where stuff gets interesting, courtesy of those LED fibre- optic tail-lights which look like a piece of broken glass splattered in blood when lit. Adding some charisma to that assassination attempt is an AMG and an ML63 badge, while the AMG sports exhaust system with high-sheen chrome-plated twin tailpipes shriek in silence when at a standstill.

Cabin

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG cabin view  (113)

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG door sill (112)

Open the door and what greets you first is a chrome door sill with glowing AMG lettering. Front and rear seats are again AMG spec and finished in designo leather upholstery, finished in a porcelain shade. The same treatment extends over to the door centre panels and door and central control armrests. Keeping in mind the way this car will be driven, both front thrones provide excellent lateral support with pronounced contours and high side bolstering.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG front seats (114) Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG steering wheel   (85)

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Drive Selector  (137) Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Stalks  (136)

The next thing that grabs your attention is the chunky, flat bottom AMG sports wheel. Finished in leather with satin silver inserts around the controls and similar finish around the spokes, the grip area is upholstered in DINAMICA microfiber for that perfect grip while driving. Peeking behind the wheel are paddle shifters and stalks for the drive selector, wipe/wash controls, cruise control and steering rake and reach adjustment.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG  instrument cluster(118)

With two large oval wells, the instrument cluster looks classy with just the right amount of a subtle sporty appeal. We particularly liked how all needles rested in the 6’O clock position and how instead of a digital readout, the engine temperature dial brought back some nostalgia. Sitting between the twin pods is a TFT colour monitor that displays an ‘AMG’ welcome logo and the menu. Apart from displaying various vehicle characteristics in different modes, it tells the driver if the ML 63 is being driven in Eco, Sports or Sports+ mode.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG  instrument cluster(135) Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG cabin view (81)

The ML 63 AMG also offer its users with ambient lighting in three different colours namely Neutral (white), Solar (Amber) and Polar (Ice Blue) which lets you light up the cabin according to your mood. The dashboard is carpeted with leather that also gets contrast stitching, while a huge bark of shiny, piano black finished wood insert extends from the co-driver side A/C vent till the one on the pilot’s side.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG  COMAND centre(82)

Flanked by two A/C vents is the central COMAND display. It acts a screen for navigation, audio, a panoramic reversing camera which sometimes would show us the world to be upside down and Mercedes-Benz Apps. Below that are buttons for the audio system, and a horizontal stack of switches further below lets you heat the seats and toggle between the ESP settings. There are buttons for switching between the ECO mode, which is a start/stop feature to save fuel and switching the parking sensors on/off. A console for climate control with a little display embedded between two dials takes the place below.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG drive and COMAND controls  (92) Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG drive and COMAND controls  (91)

The party happens below all that when you see two cup holders which either glow in red or blue, as a switch lets you keep your drink either cool or warm. Control freaks will love the ML63 as just above the central arm-rest is a cluster of buttons that change the way this SUV behaves altogether. While the driving mode selector lets you switch between Eco, Sports and Manual (Sports+), below that is a button for the damper settings, which lets you select between Comfort and Sport setting. Two other buttons for descent control and ride height adjustment complete the left cluster. To its right is a group of buttons and a dial that controls the various menus on the COMAND centre.

Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG sunroof  (60) Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG speakers (115) Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG rear seat entertainment system  (104)

The roof has a two-stage sunroof, of which only the first half lets you pop your head out, and is otherwise hidden under a translucent black sunscreen. Rear passengers feel like some Head of State, courtesy of two 20.3 cm displays, 830 Watts Harman Kardon® Logic 7 surround sound system with 14 high-performance speakers, wireless headphones and 2 infrared remote controls. The boot is cavernous enough to accommodate a day’s loot from a really rich bank and has a space saving spare tyre, neatly hidden underneath.

Next page for verdict…

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