Driven: Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG (2006-)

[wltsm]

A 155mph, six-seater MPV with a 5.1-second 0-62mph time used to be an unoccupied segment of the car world's great Venn diagram of choices. From September, the Mercedes R63 AMG will fill it.

The ultimate sports version of the R-class starts a go-faster niche within a niche of luxury MPVs that think they're high-roof estates or maybe even SUVs. It will also top the R-class range, which launched in the UK in April with the R500 and R350 petrol units and the diesel 320CDI.

At £74,115, the AMG version of this 'Luxurious Touring SUV' is far from cheap. In fact, Mercedes is launching an entry-level R280CDI, only available in short wheelbase (4,922mm) that starts at half the price (£36,420) at the same time. But then again, until the likes of BMW and Audi get into gear with similar niche ranges - which are a few years away at least - the long-wheelbase-only R63 AMG simply has no direct rivals.

Full review

Source = 4Car

 

[wltsm]

I never knew the R63 would be so expensive, 75k for a car of this type is insane considering you could get a well specced S class for that money!

I'd loved to know how many of these they will sell, considering it's all they can do to shift the normal R class!

 

[Merc1]

Pointless vehicle that doesn't look anywhere near as aggressive as the R63 Vision Concept.

M

 

[tennmb]

Speaking from 8 years of sales with MB, I can say that dealers will be cringing when this pointless vehilce hits the lots.
Hi-performance, exotic vehilces defy logic and reason, but this vehicle defies the defiable. MB has just spiked the retarded meter.

Maybe if Danika Patrick has 4 kids.

 

[Osnabrueck]

If I had money to smoke, I'd take one. Although if I had money to smoke, there's probably another half-dozen crazy AMG models I'd take before this one.

Still, there'd be something insanely fun about taking the R63 out to Vegas with 5 of my friends.

 

[klier]

Wow, this is simply amazing.
What a car. So full of luxury, so big inside, yet so incredibly fast!!!!

Osna, what you said is so true. I cannot even imagine how cool it would be with 5 friends in big lounge chairs on a road trip in an R63 AMG....that would be just the perfect car for Avis and Hertz

 

[wltsm]

I can imagine this car being used by MB to ferry VIPs to GPs and special events, wonder if rap artists will take to it, and bling it up!

 

[Yaz]

Pointless vehicle that doesn't look anywhere near as aggressive as the R63 Vision Concept.

M

I don't know Marcus, I changed my view of it once I seen it in person. I know you missed it at the Chicago Auto Show this year, but if you had seen in up close, I think you would've changed your mind.
In terms of looks, it blows the ML63 away if you ask me. As for performance, picture the faces of some fools who would think it's just another R350/R500 when they get left in the dust. This is certainly "Unlike Any Other" .

What did you want from the concept to make it to the production version? I don't really see much difference between the two.

As for production, my guess is that they'll produce it in limited numbers for a year or two and then discontinue it. And yea, you better believe it - there will be buyers for it. Give me an R63 AMG anyday

 

[Merc1]

I can't find the pics at the moment, but that R63 Vision Concept looked wicked in that killer grey paint and those striking wheels. It seems they toned it down some for production. Yeah I missed it at the Chicago Auto Show it was only there for press days.

M

 

[Mr. M]

Pointless as it is, it's not very costly for MB to make an R63 - after all, the 6.3L V8 is the staple engine for the AMG range - it would maybe make some sense after all.

 

[cawimmer430]

Didn't bother reading the review. This car is so pointless along with the ML63 and G55...

 

[Merc1]

Well I'm willing to cut some slack for the ML63 since there are others like it. The G55 is just as outrageous as the truck it is based on and the outging 5.5L SC V8 fits it to a T. The R63 and the I-know-it-is-coming GL63 are really the pointless ones IMO.

M

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Well I'm willing to cut some slack for the ML63 since there are others like it. The G55 is just as outrageous as the truck it is based on and the outging 5.5L SC V8 fits it to a T. The R63 and the I-know-it-is-coming GL63 are really the pointless ones IMO.

M

GL63, Holly C--- ?!

 

[Merc1]

GL63, Holly C--- ?!

Yeah I know, but I'd bet Mercedes is going to do such a model. I can't stand it!

M

 

[Merc1]

What did you want from the concept to make it to the production version? I don't really see much difference between the two.

To finally answer your quesion, I wanted this:

For some reason (the color or wheels?) this looks so much more aggressive (better).

M

 

[Merc1]

Well what do you know, Edmunds love the thing:





















Rest assured: If you want to drive an exclusive Mercedes to your bridge club or an estate sale, the R-Class will give you that feeling of "Am I alone here?" But for those who really want to shave the extreme tip off the exclusivity iceberg, starting in September you can special order — that's right, Special Order — a 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG 4Matic for $87,400 from your local M-B dealer.

The R63 AMG rides on a newly developed AMG sports suspension that enhances the front double-wishbone, rear multilink Airmatic suspension. AMG stiffened the suspension and shock rates so well that the R63 now feels like it offers zero body roll. None. Combined with the full-time all-wheel-drive 4Matic system, the R63 delivers a nearly unshakable footprint in the corners. Like every other R-Class, the AMG R wants to push (as you'd expect), but you never get the feeling that the R63's heavyweight cornering forces are trying to rip control right out of your hands.

Curbside, you'll be able to spot a Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG by the aforementioned five-spoke AMG wheels, revised front and rear bodywork with tinted taillights, the "6.3 AMG" badges on the front quarter panels and, exquisitely, the quad oval tailpipes poking out from beneath the rear bumper.

In many ways, AMG accepted its biggest challenge in doing the R63. Teaching a beast like the R-Class to dance, making such an abundantly heavy car seem light on its feet, is really quite a stunt. But they pulled it off. Next up for AMG: world peace, time travel and figuring out women.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=116635#4

M

 

[bum-man]

The R63 looks very good in some of those pictures Merc1. I'm still unhappy Mercedes genericized the rear, i.e. brake light strips and minor details. Hopefully it gets that back f/l time.

 

[Vivaki]

From what ive heard the r class might come with a 7 seat option from next year

 

[Merc1]

I just noticed that MBUSA has made the R63 a "special order" model only, in other words "if we don't sell any it will be ok, because we ain't gonna build any". The ML63 on the other hand is being snapped up by owners on MBWorld.org.

M

 

[Osnabrueck]

The R63 looks very good in some of those pictures Merc1. I'm still unhappy Mercedes genericized the rear, i.e. brake light strips and minor details. Hopefully it gets that back f/l time.

I feel the same. There was a good concept on the shelf for the R-Klasse, which had the SLR as a lead in for certain details. They had the right idea on the drawing board, then decided to muck it. Why not use the beloved "Benz Stripes" that made their mark with the W220 facelift?

In any case, I'd love to drive this thing. I think what lots of people miss is that the R-Klasse really does feel like a car. It doesn't feel ponderous or ungainly. You really feel like you're at the helm of a reasonably fleet-footed sedan. The marriage of all that space with this engine is a recipe for unbridled fun.