Mercedes-Benz GL63 Fires Opening Salvo In The Suburban Status War

by Derek Kreindler

Published: May 31st, 2012

mercedes benz gl63 fires opening salvo in the suburban status war

Any notion that AMG and M cars have become merely totems of wealth for the uninformed has just been further cast in stone, with the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG.

How is this any different from the ML63, G63 or R63 AMG crossovers/SUVs? It’s not. But the GL lineup, until now, lacked an AMG version, topping out with the GL550. The AMG two-box lineup exists more as fiduciary summit for wealthy MB customers looking for the most expensive vehicle in the range, rather than for performance-minded SUV or crossover buyers. Now that the GL63 is here, we just have further confirmation of that.

Underneath the skin, the GL63 gets the ubiquitous 5.5L AMG twin-turbo V8 with 550 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. Notably, the GL63 looks less belligerent than the G63 or ML63, to the point where it apes the very stealthy R63 AMG pseudo-van. On the other hand, it looks brawny enough for suburban rubes to pony up the estimated six-figure price tag to buy this thing.

#GermanCar #LuxuryCars #Mercedes-Benz #Mercedes-benzGl #Mercedes-benzGl63Amg #SUV

Derek Kreindler

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12 of 22 comments

Crosley on May 31, 2012

What's funny is when I see a Mercedes with an AMG badge that's clearly not an AMG (ie bottom trim factory wheels, no body kit, etc,) I agree that AMG was once a line for enthusiasts but now it's just like a Louis Vuitton label for status seeking soccer moms. The price difference is also ridiculous between the AMG line and stock, I'd rather simply have an additional sports car in my garage than pay double for the same Mercedes with slightly stiffer struts and a half second quicker 0-60 time.

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- Stuki on May 31, 2012
  
  Except for the E63 wagon... That one is sublime
  
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- Ithiel on May 31, 2012
  
  So true! I used to commute from the IE to West LA, and I swear at least 1/2 of the "AMG" models were base Benzes with an AMG badge stuck on. You could usually tell because of the lack of extra exhausts or stock wheels, but sometimes the driver was lazy enough to slap an AMG badge on without even altering the model number (e.g. C300 AMG). Apparently you can buy an AMG badge for less than $10 on ebay. I guess in the automotive arms race that is the SoCal driving experience, people will do whatever it takes to outdo their neighbors.
  
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Ryoku75 on May 31, 2012

This reminds me of a Jeep Cherokee minus the two-tone. If I ever brought a Benz it'd be a classic one, the genuine luxury models that were designed tastefully and to last. Better to own a dated Benz than to own a disposable SUV for soccer-moms with too much grocery money.

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- Stuki on May 31, 2012
  
  I still think both the E, S & CL class cars are pretty much top of the heap as far as luxury vehicles go. Even going to a $300,000 RR Ghost honestly feels like a step down, in anything but bling, compared to the aging S63. Which, again, honestly doesn't have much recommending it over the E version. And the next S, coming later this year, is bound to set the bar even higher, now that the (scarcely existent) Maybach set is being included in the target market. The Panamera has it's merits, but compared to one of the above Benzes, it really only makes sense some ways from densely trafficked areas, where very few 1%ers (gotta have someone to flaunt it to, you know...) spend much time to begin with.
  
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- Stuki on May 31, 2012
  
  @stuki Oh, and since this article is about a GL version of a 63 (or vice versa, I guess)...... As long as people pony up fr something THAT silly, please refrain from talking smack about the Raptor. That one at least has some merit. Like being an "off-roader" specced with tires capable of traversing a common curb without breaking rims and stuff........ And avoiding Ponch & John by taking non paved shortcuts, or even planning routes beyond the reach of donut delivery vans. Big engines in ill handling "off-roaders" don't have to be bad. But city block like weights, floppy chassis and skyscraper COGs, perched atop postage stamp tire sidewalls, absolutely have to. No exceptions.
  
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- Ryoku75 on May 31, 2012
  
  @stuki Meh, Luxuries only good if the vehicle itself looks fine while being comfy. These new Benz's look way to tacky for me (and they'll be visually out of date in the next 5 years). The Raptors nice as an off-roader, but again its way too tacky and I'm sure that its weight\size will limit what it can do in the mountains.
  
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FJ60LandCruiser on May 31, 2012

Drive a GL, then drive a Suburban. I promise you won't notice a difference between the two. Except the cost, and the fact that the 'burban will last longer and tow more.

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- Ryoku75 on May 31, 2012
  
  A simple remedy for the diotic "Hip, Trendy" types would be to just stick Benz badges on a Suburban, I know that I would for laughs.
  
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- MeaCulpa on May 31, 2012
  
  @Ryoku75 Or keep it in the family and slap caddy badges on it. Waiiiiit a minute....
  
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Baggins on Jun 01, 2012

Lots of abuse to the MBZ. I drove a group of 7 adults(including me) around the Santa Barbara wine country in a GL450. Loaded up with 1300 lbs of passengers and cargo The air suspension had it driving like a dream under that load. Handled fine, Plenty of power too. Its a hell of a nice ride, I'd love to have one. Not sure I'd see the point in a ML63, but some of these posts smack of jealousy.

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- FJ60LandCruiser on Jun 01, 2012
  
  It eventually comes down to common sense. The GL is overpriced and offers nothing over Expeditions and Suburbans. A local dealer sells GMCs and Mercs and says that most people realize that the Yukon and Denali offers exactly the same for much less money and told me he sells 10 of the GM's for every 1 GL when the customer just WANTS to be seen in a Merc.
  
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