Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, SUVs
Chicago Auto Show world premiere: Mercedes R63 AMG
Mercedes managed something quite different for its Chicago unveiling of the AMG versions of the R-class and the ML - an ice rink, complete with hockey players and figure skaters. Perhaps to drive home the "all-weather performance" message, or maybe to bond with the Winter Olympics. Who knows?
In any event, the AMG version of the R-class was well worth the pre-unveiling ice capades, according to Chris Paukert.
Featuring the first engine ever developed completely by AMG from the ground up, a 6.3-liter, 503 hp monster with 465 ft-lb of torque, the reborn R63 AMG will hustle from 0-60 mph in 5 seconds. The new engine has a silicon-aluminum block, four valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing, and feeds the power to a seven-speed automatic transmission controlled by either a Direct Select lever on the column, or by F1-style button shifters on the steering wheel. The driver can select from Sport, Comfort or Manual shift modes.
The AMG appearance kit includes front and rear fascia modifications, a new AMG grille, AMG side skirts, smoked taillights, and chromed dual exhausts.
The interior features leather AMG sport seats with Alcantara inserts, stainless pedals with rubber studs, a special instrument cluster, a leather AMG wheel, and AMG door sills. The R63 retains the six-passenger seating of the standard R-class.
The all-wheel drive R63 AMG comes with an AIRMATIC height-adjustable suspension and 19-inch wheels sporting 295/45 tires. Lots of pictures after the jump.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shoes 6:49PM (2/08/2006)
This has to be the most pointless AMG vehicle yet, maybe even the most pointless vehicle from anyone. Who asked for a really fast and expensive minivan?
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Aaron 2:39PM (9/10/2007)
People don't drive minivans becuase they want to. They drive them becuase they have to. At least now they can have some serious fun with one. In favor of it, when I try to squish people into the third row in my ml500 its a pain. This has a ton more leg room.
Vincent 6:59PM (2/08/2006)
The world's fastest minivan. Does anyone seriously understand this vehicle? They already have a soft-roader, in the ML (nee M) class. This just looks like some sort of design sketch gone wrong.
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JP 7:13PM (2/08/2006)
I think it's safe to assume that this engine will migrate down the AMG line. E63 (M5 fighter) S63, SL63, etc...
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Finished.Law.School 7:30PM (2/08/2006)
That is the only minivan I would be willing to drive.
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Fooman 7:44PM (2/08/2006)
I am confused by this model too. With M/ML class as well as the G and soon to be GL class, why do they need the R class. Granted there is only a E wagon now and no C class, the R seems silly, almost as silly as the name "Sport Tourer." MB has had some great new designs and decent proces for MB like the CLS class. But then they bring out this dog. I live in Newport Beach, which had the highest density of MB in the world for a long time as well as the 2 largest MB dealers in the US. I still have only seen 1 R class.
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Rick 9:09PM (2/08/2006)
Good God that is 4ucking stupid.
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Levi 11:35PM (2/08/2006)
If you made 6 figures and needed a minivan and don't want an SUV, would you want to buy a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna? Shoot, if I'm making the money I still want to be able to drive the best. The R Class is the best minivan money can buy. Strange, weird, and ugly to some, it still makes sense. I would hate to own an M5, F430, and a freaking Honda for a minivan. A R63 fits right in with that type of bunch and for the specific clientel.
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Anthony 2:29AM (2/09/2006)
Man, love it!
Just go ahead and crown DC as the Kings of HP!
Baddest Sportscar on earth -
Viper and SLR
Baddest SUV on earth -
SRT-8 Grand Cherokee
Upcoming ML63 AMG
Baddest Sedans on the planet -
E55, SRT8 300C, Magnum and Charger and the fastest 20K car on the planet my personal ride - The SRT-4 and its replacement the 300hp Caliber SRT-4
Why not the world's fastest people mover...?
If you got bank and you don't wanna SUV, yet you have 4 kids, I'm rockin this whip...
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Doogs 10:11AM (2/09/2006)
While I think the R Class itself is something of a stretch - who would pay $56K and up for a minivan - I understand that there is a niche of buyers like Levi here who would bite. And...it helps MB extend the platform they developed for the ML. And...I'm sure this thing will be more popular in Europe than here in the U.S.
I don't think it's the wisest move...I'd rather see the B Class over here, and I think MB would have been smarter to focus on getting the smaller MLK SUV to market...but I understand what they are doing with the R Class.
All that said, the R63 AMG is just stupid.
If you need a minivan with a good amount of power...there's already the 300+ horsepower R500. A 500+ hp minivan...why?
We all joke about Chrysler's penchant for throwing a HEMI in every model...but I don't think they'd stretch to a Dodge Caravan SRT-8.
I think the same logic applies here. An S63 I can understand. An ML63...its a stretch...who needs 500+ hp in an SUV...but whatever. But the R63...come on.
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Gonna get one 10:16AM (2/09/2006)
Levi is EXACTLY right. I cannot wait for this thing to hit the streets because I am for sure going to go buy one. I been waiting for something like this for years. I already have my sport car, my SUV but I want something to haul my kids in and still have some nice OOMPH!
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icerabbit 12:53PM (2/09/2006)
In addition to reaching for the stars/elite with AMG editions like these; it would be nice if they would bring the smaller series over as well.
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Anthony 2:53PM (2/09/2006)
Everybody tires to tell me, why would need that kind of power. I for one, visit the drag strip and often, to the tune of about 1-2 a week as my job allows. I also like to autocross and do other motorsport. Granted I would never take the R63 around an autocross course other than just to see what would happen, but I would take it to the drag strip and nail all those lame primered out rust buckets they all try and build up.
With some 20" Monoblocs on the front and 22" Monoblocs on the back, that would look sick...
On the smaller B cars -
That's fine and dandy as well. Give me a Honda Fit, throw in a K20 Vtec engine, Mugen suspension and wheels and let the games begin...
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John Olthoff 8:13AM (2/16/2006)
I bought an R500 last Summer. I was tired of driving the hulking truck frame of my Yukon, but still wanted the cargo and people hauling capacity of a minivan (six adults in extreme comfort), the four-wheel snow traction capability, and also the power perfomance of a very strong V8. I got it all with the R500. I have my order in for the very first R63 to hit this area - the vehicle could easily handle 500hp
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Eric - Boston 10:47PM (2/17/2006)
Many on this string stated they don't understand the R-Class. While I agree that the R63 is over-the-top, I just placed an order for the R500 yesterday. Why? Because with three kids under the age of five, my wife's sedan just doesn't do the job anymore. For those of you that don't understand how much room three car seats take up, these things are HUGE! We're in our mid-thirties, I like nice cars, and the option of getting a regular old minivan is not appealing -- AT ALL. With this ride, my wife doesn't have to maneuver my hulking Escalade ESV (purchased to move my three kids and 240 pound mastiff dog) and she gets a nice luxo-vehicle as well. What's not to get? For families that are fortunate to have the coin, this is an attractive alternative to the less inspired, common choices. Just one man's perspective.
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Little momma 2:36PM (5/19/2006)
Eric from Boston is exactly right. The R series is perfect for us. I am in my 30s and have three kids who are 3 and under and a 65 pound dog to transport. Our choices quickly narrowed to the Honda Odyssey (no 4wd was an issue) and the Escalade (I didn't like the sensation of driving a boat and I was not sure it would fit in my garage in NYC). I was depressed at the prospect of buying a new car that could accomodate us until I read about the R last year. It is ideal for us -- love the sedan-like ride, interior bling, short distance from the curb so the kiddies can get in themselves, etc. For large affluent families, what's a better alternative? And, Fooman from Newport Beach: you must have seen my sister driving in her new R -- the ladies in Newport Coast like it even if you haven't noticed.
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max 11:24PM (8/29/2007)
my dad just got an R63. it does better than 0-60 in 5 seconds. fun car to drive to high school.
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