2013 GL-63 AMG

2013 GL-63 AMG made its way to dealerships and its owners. The one you see in the photograph, is the one and only of its kind in Arizona, and there is not that many of its bothers/sisters in U.S. Total output for MY2013 is about 120-ish. Let's get the obvious out of the way.

Quick Facts; 550 hp, 560 lb-ft Torque, 5.5L Bi-Turbo AMG engine, 0-62 mph in 4.7sec., Quarter mile 13,1 All-Wheel-Drive with towing capacity of 7,500lb

So it's big, powerful, well dressed SUV that many of us would like to have if the price was............different...........(126k+). MB didn't offer 7-seater SUV before 2007, and this is the first year that a performance model is offered on the market. The Body is manufactured in the U.S.(Tuscaloosa-Alabama), the heart and soul (engine & transmission) from Afalterbach & Stuttgart-Hedelfingen,Germany. Your choice when it comes to big & powerful SUV's are not that vast. Mercedes-Benz GL-63, Infiniti QX-56, CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV, Lexus LX-570….....they even post on website 0-60mph.....guess what it is ?

So, what are the options on the car....well, it comes pre-loaded with just about everything, but you could customize it with designo interior colors & a few options; towing package, bang & Olufsen sound, NightView Assist Plus, Split-view, Rear seat entertainment....etc

Here is what I find amazing about this vehicle; this is a sleeper. Architects and designers of this product didn't want it to look too flashy. It does not have aggressiveness on its styling, but rather sharpness. As the lines of the vehicle indicate its enhanced styling while hiding it’s true nature, it almost blends in with the crowd. The term “wolf in sheep’s clothing” can be properly used in this case. The GL-63 is an extremely capable SUV ready to handle anything on the road in its heavy-weight category (...about 5,600lb), but it is not limited just to heavyweights. GL-63 is very multi-talented. Comfort of the ride is not compromised. Superiority of Airmatic suspension makes this vehicle exceptionally smooth, and it does offer Sport & Sport plus suspension settings. It will spoil you in it's very, very comfy AMG design seats, massage you, warm or cool you, while reaching your destination of 60, 80,110….miles per hour. The real reason you would consider this vehicle is your desire to show your spouse, kids, and grandparents that 0-60mph is possible in less than 5 sec. with 7 of you in the car. Yes, I meant three car seats and four adults.
Yes, I know, the answer is 104 feet....60mph to stand-still. How good is this; Corvette 427 convertible needs 101 feet.

You would not take pleasure leaving in the dust small sports cars. You would consider it as a right of an GL-63 owner. Also, you would consider as unethical receiving speeding tickets……..well..….that is a stretch, but you got the point.

While driver comfort is as guaranteed as the sticker shock price is, passengers will find a few luxuries for themselves such as; rear heated seats, rear a/c controls & vents, second row seats movable with the press of a button, as well as the third row seating. When passengers are in their seats, panoramic roof provides a chance to find their lucky star that gave them opportunity to enjoy the GL-63. In order to please your eyes anywhere you look, the GL-63 roofliner is upholstered with alcantara roofliner, which is almost irresistible to the touch.

Mercedes-Benz incorporated all the latest safety innovations in the 2013 GL-63as part of the standard equipment.

Bottom line; GL-63 doesn't have friends, it is sitting all alone on top of the world, as the only one of its kind……..ready to lead the way……….higher...no….sorry……..….FASTER !!!

Oh, I forgot, …..……GL won the award as “2013 SUV of the year”

2013 G-class/G-wagen/ Geländewagen

Not that many cars cause as many contradicting comments as G-class does. Great, ugly, commanding, goofy, dominant, ego-problem.... Anyway...this car has been in it's civilian production since 1979 (suggestion from ??????), and available in the US since 2001. This fact alone demands everyone's respect, if not affection. The Concept of G-Wagon is that it resists changes, and it is not giving into pressure of fashion updates. Fan base of G-class think this is cool. The changes on the vehicle are minimal through the years, and in the most cases they involve electronic advancements in the industry. Significant design changes are on the interior could be noticed every decade. On the exterior there are minor touches. For 2013 new exterior changes include LED daytime running lamps and electronically folding exterior mirrors. I have to say that daytime running lamps are give away for 2013...otherwise it would be a good guessing game "which year is this G-Wagon".

Not too long ago, I had my client asked me, after he circled around the G-63 few times (after he purchased his car) Why would someone buy this? What is so great about this car that you can charge $136,000?
Well, it is hard to engage logic in the purchase of a vehicle that costs this much (base $113,000) but the good thing is that logic is not our only guidance in life. So, let's get engage emotions, ego, pride......everything else.

This vehicle is hand build in Graz, Austria by Magna-Steyr for Mercedes-Benz.In the case of AMG, the engine is also hand built. So, those that are worried that anyone can just go to a MB dealership and get one are wrong. On the average dealerships are allocated only few per year. In first half of this year only 1,273 G-wagons are sold in U.S. market. This speaks volumes about it's resale value.

To it's off-road credit, G-class proudly offers three locking differentials..... paired with heavy duty axles, rugged body on frame construction, with more than 8" ground clearance......a.k.a. extremely capable off-road vehicle. I have to add that the G-wagon is used by 60 countries (including US) by it's armed forces as a fast-attack vehicle. Now....I don't think it can get more MACHO than this.

On the light side, the interior of this vehicle is refined & luxurious, completely wrapped in leather with about 45,000 stitches. The wood trim is hand picked & finished and brushed aluminum accents the dash. Again, this vehicle is hand made, and it goes through many vigerous inspections before it's subjected through yours.
Technologically, G-class is equipped with latest technology that Mercedes-Benz considers adequate for it's top of the line SUV.
Lastly.....for those of you that are unfamiliar with G-wagon, everything is standard on the vehicle, and your only options are; G-550/G-63 AMG, interior & exterior color, and wood trim....and yes, the wheels....for AMG version only. If this is not enough, you can get the Brabus edition G-class. But don't limit yourself. Here is an idea what you can do with your G-63 AMG and Ford Fiesta ST.