German automobile manufacturers are not known for humor, wit, or lightheartedness. Ask anyone who sat through, or watched online, the BMW press conference at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. This trait among serious people who build serious cars made the Mercedes-Benz press conference at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show that much more enjoyable, as a Brit and a Canadian waxed poetically about ice skating. Perhaps fitting with the start of the winter Olympics just around the corner, ice skating was the allegory used by Mercedes-Benz to debut two new AMG models in Chi-town. Claiming that the new 2007 Mercedes ML63 AMG and 2007 Mercedes R63 AMG are “designed to ice the competition,” AMG Product Manager Rob Allan compared his newest hot-rodded models to the skills both figure skaters and hockey players must employ for success. “Skating is about speed and agility, turning and stopping, despite a lack of traction,” noted Allan, remarking that like the best ice skaters, the new ML63 AMG and R63 AMG are athletic yet artful, powerful but poised. Despite the campy press conference script, there is no question that the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG is a serious automobile. Lending credence to the concept of a sport-tourer, the R63 seats six in comfort and is equipped with an AMG-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. Inside, AMG sport seats 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. Outside, the R63 AMG adds chrome twin exhaust outlets, unique wheels, a different grille, and the subtle body kit that graces every Benz with the AMG treatment. Look for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG to arrive in showrooms this September, at a yet-to-be-determined price.
Photos by Ron Perry
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About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
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