jchochla

Here's a link that was posted on the W166 forum on MBWorld.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-...327.html#image

I am guessing that this is a GL63 AMG, because the air dams, LED's and lip are similar to the 2013 ML63.

Enjoy!!

_AMG_

Judging by the aggressive looking bumper I would say that's definitely an AMG.
You cant go wrong with both cars but If you want that extra power then go with the GL63.
BTW my dealer had a black 2012 ML63 in stock and that thing looked MEAN!!
Great looking car.

justthebest

Thanks for posting.

I have to reiterate that I think a GL AMG is over the line of reasonable. That much weight shouldn't be suped up by AMG. The G Class is justified due to its distinctive styling, but c'mon...

Fail.

nynd

Maybe an AMG package... for cosmetics only??

BlownV8

The GL63 AMG is coming with the Bi-turbo V8 engine. Should be a great platform.

South Ocean1

Sadly. a GL63 is coming, only not to the U.S. I am disappointed about that as I would have ordered one. My understanding is that the GL550 will have the same bodywork as the GL63, except for likely the exhaust tips (which I hope remain exposed). That is the feedback I have gotten very recently from MBUSA.

While the GL550 looks like it will be very good, a GL63 would have been great.

So why no GL63 in the U.S., when it will be made in good old Alabama. I can only guess that it has to do with price - a GL550 runs around $90k, which means a GL63 would need to start at around $115, which may be too high in MBUSA's view for sufficient sales. My other guess is that in these environmentally sensitive times, MBUSA didn't want to take heat for releasing an AMG version of the GL. The ML and G already had AMG version so they are just "updates". With the number of GL550s that sell here, I just can't believe there wouldn't be a good percentage of those that would go for the GL63 - not to mention Range Rover and BMW/Porsche SUV customers who need three rows.

Innocent_Stud

Just tune the ECU on the 550 Biturbo engine and you should be good to go.

newyorktoLA

GORGEOUS!! I WANT ONE I HAVE TO HAVE ONE lol too bad I've had reliability issues with my current GL. The new one's rear looks like my E class rear in SUV form lol

Trimmer2

I am 1st on the GL63 wait list at MB Fort Lauderdale (one of the largest in US so, they should get a couple). Their MB source seemed to think the GL63 will be a VERY limited production and hinted at a "Black Series" (I hope not for my taste/need). If production is very limited, maybe it will hold some value?!?! and not take the 50% AMG year two depreciation.

I currently have a '07 Audi Q7 4.2 which is underpowered in my opinion but, drives phenomenally. Audi is coming out with a brand new Q7 in '13 but, with what looks like a minor facelift and weight and power reduction. If they came out with a V8 TDI, this would be my pick.

I sat in a brand new about to be delivered ML63 and it's a BIG upgrade from the previous ML. The interior fit and finish (Designio) is a major upgrade from last year's GL550 and ML's. I priced out the ML63 to my taste (LOADED with all the bells) and it came to about $115k. Typically, the GL prices about $10k more than a similarly equipped ML. The MB rep said the new GL63 could be well more than $20k higher and possibly push $150k which would be too steep for my SUV budget but, gives a little more cred a possible Black Series. I can swing that kind of coin for a SL63 or ...........? but, $150k for a SUV?

At least a new turbo GL550 can be tuned (possibly 100+hp) so it'll tide me over if the GL63 doesn't come to be.

AsianML

Wow that looks good.

South Ocean1

Trimmer2

Thanks for the update. So MB Ft Lauderdale has a wait list. I hope they are on to something but I heard directly from MBUSA a few weeks ago that they have decided not to offer the GL63 here. I then checked with my local dealer last week who checked with his source at MBUSA and he confirmed no GL63 for the U.S. at least as of now.

I am with you - $150k for a GL63 would be too hard a pill for me to swallow. But then I would have trouble spending that coin on any car - be it an S63 or SL63. . . I don't love the exterior on the new ML (sadly, even the AMG treatment doesn't help me enough), but do think the interior is sharp, particularly the designo offering on the ML63.

There have got to be a couple of hundred fans (or financial fools) like us who would order a GL63. Still don't know why it wouldn't make business sense here.

Innocent Stud:

You were reading my mind. If there is no GL63 here, I was already looking at the Renntech tune, which would get it up over 500 hp and 600 ft-lbs of torque. That would be enough for me. I would normally prefer the AMG version even if it is no quicker (compared to the non-performance pack version) because I love the more aggressive styling, handling and sound of the AMG version. In this case, if the GL550 looks the same as the GL63, that would help a lot. Then I would just need to find an exhaust upgrade to improve the sound and look under the fender. Still, I would prefer the AMG version because it is right straight from the factory.

YYZ-E55

Apparently this might have changed...

South Ocean1

YYZ-E55

What do you mean??? Do tell . . .

YYZ-E55

Completely unverified, but a little birdie told me that the recent change in top management at MBUSA brought with it a new perspective on the GL 63 - in a good way

JimBarnhart

No rear sunroof? I would have thought that was a positive feature.

YYZ-E55

It gets a pano roof now (same as W166).

South Ocean1

YYZ-E55

Wow! You really know your stuff, so for you to say that is very interesting. You were the one to give us the heads up initially on it not coming to North America - which was spot on, at least at that time.

That plus the news about MB Ft Lauderdale makes me want to pepper the dealer again for an update.

Thanks

BlownV8

It's coming to the US. There may not be many sold but it is coming. There is no reason it won't. The engine is already EPA approved and used on other US cars. Production is in the US. Mercedes sells more cars in the US than anywhere else.

South Ocean1

BlownV8

You have been consistently logical in your argument. It makes great sense to me. I just can't understand why MBUSA at some earlier point came to a different conclusion (although maybe a rethink is in the works). As you probably know, not all MBs made here are sold here. I can think of at least the R500 that soldiered on in Europe with the upgraded 5.5 liter V8 but was not sold here even though it was made here and that upgraded V8 was used in other US models. Now the R class sold poorly then with the R500 doing even worse - so maybe that is a poor example.

I still hope you are right.

YYZ-E55

Just because the engine is used in other US-spec vehicles doesn't mean it doesn't have to go through specific testing and certification for USA, not to mention training (sales, technicians, etc), parts inventory, marketing, logistics, etc. There is significant expense involved here; sales volumes have to justify the investment.
Despite weak demand in North America, the R-Class sells very well in China. The V8 R-Class never sold well in North America, hence it was discontinued for this market.

JimBarnhart

Wouldn't that be a standard feature? Why would the spy shots who just the front sunroof?

YYZ-E55

Pano roof won't be standard, no. Having said that, I'm surprised they're shooting the truck without the pano.

BlownV8

EDIT: The US is one of the largest markets for Mercedes. Mercedes should be able to recoup the investment quickly in the US. The rest of the argument doesn't really carry any weight. They have training for everything they sell. The V8 biturbo will be no different in the GL as it is in the SL, CL, ML, CLS, and and S. At most if there is a difference, it will be in the ECU/TCU software.

YYZ-E55

Return on investment is based on volume and profit per unit. There's nowhere in the world cheaper than USA to buy a new Mercedes-Benz, despite your beliefs about volume.

Norway100

In Germany a fully loaded 2011 GL450 CDI tops out at 165.000$.
I will assume that a 2013 GL63 AMG will costs around 200.000$ (that is US dollars) in the German market. Since MBUSA is expecting that the US market is not willing to pay the premium price that is needed for the GL63 AMG, they might not offer it in the US.

It is high demand from the Russian market (and also increasing demand from the the Chinese market) that is the reason Mercedes is building the GL63 AMG in the first place (which also was the same reason BMW made the X5 M and X6 M).