2007 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Base

New for 2007, the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG SUV is one of a growing number of vehicles with distinctive exterior and interior features, as well as high-performance engines, all provided by AMG, the in-house performance tuner for Mercedes. In the case of the ML63, AMG started with the base M-Class package and then added its own magic touches.

The exterior, for example, includes such AMG-specific features as a high-gloss black radiator grille, a distinctive front apron (the area below the grille) with low-placed air inlets, integrated round fog lights, a low-slung rear apron, flared wheel arches, extra-wide wheels, and a sports exhaust system with dual chromed twin tail pipes.

Also adding a distinctive touch are the stainless-steel running boards with rubber studs. That same look extends to the interior, with its stainless-steel sports pedals equipped with non-slip rubber pads.

Other interior features include Nappa leather upholstery (seats, door panels, and arm rests), an ergonomic sports steering wheel, and a sporty instrument cluster.

Of course, the heart of any AMG vehicle is its engine, and the ML63 comes with a doozy -- a 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 503 horsepower. Even the shifter is unique. It's an AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic automatic transmission with three driver-selectable shift modes. With the push of a dashboard button, the driver can select comfort or sport shift modes, as well as a manual mode, which enables the driver to shift manually.

Some drivers were so impressed with the ML63 AMG they had trouble finding the words to express themselves, but others were a little less impressed. Though they admitted the ML63 had impressive power, handling, and styling, they noted it also had a small trunk, and that fuel economy was not up to their standards.