Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG Is a 500-HP Minivan for Enthusiasts
Only a couple hundred Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG models were built in total, and after looking at this one, it’s hard to see why.
Many of us have lived through the horrors of having to give up our sporty vehicles after having a family, the dreadful experience of selling off our beloved ride and trading it out for a family-friendly alternative like a van or SUV. Luckily for us, most automakers – particularly Mercedes – make some fun, sporty SUVs these days, which helps ease the pain of making that particular switch. This has been true for some time, with the German automaker even creating a cool, sporty minivan, as this 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG recently listed for sale at The MB Market reminds us.
Truthfully, the 2007 R-class wasn’t exactly a hot-selling vehicle in its heyday, mostly because Americans (and everyone else) gave up on this particular segment a long time ago. Thing is, not many people wanted a hot-rodded version of the R either, as the Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG was built in tiny quantities, with just a couple hundred rolling off the assembly line in total. In fact, only 108 of them made it to the U.S., which is precisely why we rarely ever see one pop up for sale.
This particular R63 AMG has lived a good life in California, and as such, doesn’t look like it has 144k miles on the clock, which it does. Packing a 6.2-liter V8 underhood, the hot rod family hauler was originally rated to produce 503 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, which flows to all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Perhaps more importantly, the R63 AMG looks amazing, particularly with the custom 20-inch wheels it’s wearing, which were inspired by the W100 Grosser units. They could certainly make any car look cool, but this particular example is also being sold with its factory 20-inch AMG wheels, just in case the new owner wants to go back to stock (we certainly wouldn’t). The factory aero kit only adds to the van’s sportiness, along with chrome-plated quad AMG exhaust tips, and 6.2 badges on the front fenders.
Overall, it’s hard to argue with the fact that this 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG is a special machine, even though it was largely unloved when it originally launched. Unfortunately, these cars aren’t cheap to maintain by any means, with full engine rebuilds reportedly costing as much as a new car in some cases, but if the new owner can swing it, they’ve got a real conversation piece in their garage for not a lot of money – yet.
Photos: The MB Market
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