First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG [w/video]
Filed under: Performance, SUV, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives
How The World’s Most Powerful Sport Utility Vehicle Fails At Being Absurd
Twenty years ago, sport utility vehicles were trucks. They had big, heavy frames, solid axles and low-range four-wheel drive. At best, they would accelerate to 60 miles per hour in under nine seconds and top out just over 100 mph. “Handling” simply meant that they could keep all four wheels firmly planted while circling an onramp.
Twenty years ago, only exotic sports cars boasted more than 500 horsepower. They accelerated to 60 mph in less than five seconds and could hit 150 mph if allowed enough space. Tuned suspensions, oversized brakes and exhaust systems that roared were expected, but supple rides were not.
Now, take a look at that brand-new silver sport utility vehicle in the image above. Beneath its leather-lined and sound-insulated cabin is a 550-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8, electronically controlled suspension, six-piston brakes and permanent all-wheel drive – it’s the most powerful SUV on the market.
The tall four-door will sprint more quickly than (and outrun) a Ferrari 360 Modena Spider F1, plow through foot-deep snow drifts and take a family of five, with a ski boat in tow, to a lakeside Fourth of July picnic.
Sounds a bit preposterous, doesn’t it?
Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG [w/video]
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
