Service Cars

2007 Mercedes Benz R63 AMG Preview

When the R63 AMG goes on sale in September, one month after the ML63 AMG sport-utility vehicle, it will be the quickest six-passenger vehicle on the market. Its powered by the first engine developed entirely by AMG, Mercedes in-house tuning shop. The all-aluminum 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 has four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, and an output of 503 hp at 6,800 rpm and 465 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.





Redline is a lofty 7,100 rpm. It gets the power to the road through a seven-speed automatic transmission (with a manual mode), all-wheel drive and standard 19-inch wheels.

Benz says zero to 60 mph takes about 5 seconds. Height-adjustable Airmatic air suspension with special AMG shocks is standard, along with a specially configured version of the ADS adaptive damping system. All four wheels are stopped by vented and perforated disc brakes. On the outside, the sleek R63 wears bolder front and rear aprons, an AMG front grille, flared fenders, and AMG side skirts. Tinted taillights and two sets of chromed twin exhaust pipes muscle up the rear end, while badges boasting the engines 6.3 liters are on each fender. Inside, the driver and passenger sit in AMG sport seats covered in napa leather with Alcantara inserts. A leather AMG sport steering wheel, a special instrument cluster with AMG graphics, and stainless-steel pedals are also added. Pricing is expected to be somewhere north of $80,000.

What’s inside

Inside, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG gets sport seats to keep the driver and front passenger glued in place when the going gets fun, upholstered in Nappa leather with Alcantara inserts. A unique AMG gauge cluster is also added, along with a leather-wrapped, three-spoke sport steering wheel. Stainless steel pedals with rubber studs are included, along with special AMG door sill trim plates.

What’s under the hood

Lending credence to the concept of a sport-tourer, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG is equipped with a modified version of the company’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. Under the hood revs a hand-built, 6.3-liter V8 engine making 503 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, capable of accelerating the R63 from rest to 60 mph in just five seconds. A seven-speed automatic transmission with shift buttons on the steering wheel channels the grunt to all four wheels, and the driver can choose one of three transmission modes depending on the kind of driving she’s performing: sport (S), comfort (C), or manual (M). AMG’s wizards have also modified the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG’s suspension, adding sport-tuned shocks to the standard Airmatic system and a uniquely configured adaptive damping system (ADS). Brakes are upsized, vented and perforated, and the R63 rolls on polished 19-inch rims shod with 295/45 performance tires.

What it looks like

Mercedes-Benz AMG models are not just about the hardware – how else would the Joneses know you bought the top-dog model without the subtle exterior and interior modifications that mark every AMG product? On the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG, that means chrome twin exhaust outlets, unique wheels, a different grille, and the subtle body kit that graces every Benz with the AMG treatment.

2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG

"An AMG in every garage!" seems to be the rallying cry at Mercedes-Benz these days. How else to explain a 500-plus-hp version of the R-class family hauler? As its name suggests, the R63 AMG uses the same 6.2-liter V-8 that makes its production debut in the ML63 AMG. Output is a stout 505 hp and 465 lb-ft, done without help from a turbo or a supercharger. The rest of the powertrain also mirrors the ML63s, with a seven-speed automatic sending torque to all four wheels, but favoring the rears (60 percent) over the fronts (40 percent). With an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, and a 0-to-62-mph time of about five seconds, the R63 AMG will make quick work of most family trips, but there are built-in video screens in case the little ones have extremely short attention spans. Once we drive this 500-hp minivan, our lives will be complete.



Specifications

Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 8 Base Engine Size: 6.3 liters
Base Engine Type: V8 Horsepower: 510 hp
Torque: 465 ft-lbs. Drive Type: AWD

Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: TBA
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
TBA
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)

Features

Mechanical Features

Engine
6.3L displacement double overhead cam (DOHC)
V8 cylinder configuration gas engine
32 valves
DriveTrain
7-speed automatic transmission all wheel drive


Exterior Features

Tires and Rims
alloy wheels 19 in. wheels