E350 S

Back out in front once again:
For the 25th anniversary of the G-Class BRABUS developed the BRABUS G V12 Biturbo, a special model powered by a 610 hp / 448 kW BRABUS 6.3 S V12 biturbo engine. The car is powered by the BRABUS SV 12 twin-turbo increased-displacement engine which is based on the twelve-cylinder engine from the latest Mercedes S 600 model. In the G-Class body the BRABUS increased-displacement engine puts out 610 hp / 449 kW of power at 5,300 rpm and delivers an enormous peak torque of 1,006 Nm, available from a low 1,750 rpm.

Thus equipped the BRABUS G V12 Biturbo delivers acceleration performance absolutely unheard of for true-blooded SUVs: In combination with a special five-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive the exclusive off-roader zooms to 100 km/h from rest in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is an electronically limited 260 km/h.

PhilS

The only vehicles that really impress me are the production cars. There always has been and always will be someone who takes a production car and tweeks it. That horsepower war is neverending. The cost for those tweeks is neverending.

When automobile manufacturers produce cars with 500 - 600 hp I am still amazed. Where does it stop?

I think the $75,000 ML63 gives much more bang for the buck than most tweek cars. It will certainly outperform its nearest competitor, the $90,000 Porsche Cayenne. Now we will have to see what BMW comes up with next.

Phil

E350 S

You're absolutely correct Phil, The hp war is never-ending. Tuned cars are an ego thing. It's all about bragging rights. Lots and lots of useless hp, at least in the U.S.



But I live in Germany and I like going to Berlin on the weekends, the fastest growing City in Germany. Berlin is 339 miles from my house, so if the Autobahn is clear and I can average 170mph I can get their in two hrs giving me more time to spend in the City. So for me there is some usefulness in seeking more hp (That’s how I fool myself into spending more money).



But I'm truly with you. A nice factory built performance car is really enough. Maybe a little extra styling or multimedia, but no hp increase or power train modification. Those MODS usually leave you with proprietary parts, like brake pads, that you must chase down every time they're worn out. You just can’t run down to the local pep-boys and pickup some Brabus Eight piston calipers.

starrman

170 miles per hour ???????? Wow - hook me up to that Autobahn. I thought I was zooming when I was going 140 kph in Italy on vacation in a Mercedes rental!!!!

starrman

That will be too late. Most dealerships have already taken deposits for the ML63s.

PhilS

I gave my Orange County dealer a $1000 deposit two months ago. I am #1 on their list. Since most dealers will probably only get 1 -2 ML63's a month, if you are not on a list it could be a while until you can get one.

Phil

RENNTECH36

ive got thee first one coming to our dealership, but when will that be?

PhilS

I was told by a sales person at a local dealer that they had a memo from MBUSA that said the ML63 would go on sale in the US in August 2006. I didn't know whether to believe that since the early press releases said the car would go on sale "late spring" or "2nd quarter" 2006.

I went a little further trying to get the most accurate info and sent an email to AMG in Germany. They forwarded my email to MBUSA and I received an answer stating that the ML63 will not be available here until August. So, now I have two sources saying August. I also tried to confirm pricing based on the prices shown at the Mercedes German website. Based on that info I felt the ML63 should have a base price around $75,000. MBUSA wouldn't say much other than mine was a good guess and definitely in the ballpark.

It seems that it will be available in Europe first, probably April or May. It is already shown at the Mercedes German website www.mercedes-benz.de.

Phil