Not the coolest thing in the world, but if you want a 500hp, 7-seat, V8 MPV/SUV cross, well there's not much else out there...
Some original press shots in lieu of the actual car...
Our editor, who is particular about his genres, will probably want to re-name this an 'un-spotted', because there are no photographs from the dealer, but that shouldn't stop us shuddering into paroxysms of joy at locating a Mercedes R63 AMG. Using the man-maths calculator, I think it might be a rarer sight on UK roads than a Bugatti Veyron.
I never managed to drive one of these when they were new, but still admired its absurdity from afar. To recap: about seven years ago AMG attempted to turn its hand to pretty much anything Mercedes produced. This was mostly excellent news, but for some reason the media (that probably included me) took exception to the concept of a 510hp/465lb ft 'crossover' SUV and it barely survived a year's production.
Like most things which seemed tragically misguided at the time and were built in microscopic numbers, the R63 now looks rather appealing. This one has done a chunky 90,000 miles, but then squeezing 510hp from a 6.2-litre motor is hardly putting it under any great stress. Mercedes claimed 5.1sec from zero to 62mph. It was limited to 155mph, but a well-aimed paper clip should see it top 180mph.
So this is my thinking with the R63. It looks hideous, but in being so offensive, it transgresses normal notions of taste and becomes quite amusing. Not cool; merely amusing. After a decent haggle, this one owes you £16,250, after which you have a massive, 2,375kg, 7-seater that will take care of most supposedly fast saloons from rest to double the speed limit.
Just remove the badges and get yourself a company fuel card. Bingo, the perfect family car.
MERCEDES R63 AMG Engine: 6,208 V8 Transmission:7-speed auto Power (hp): 510@6,800rpm Torque (lb ft):465@5,200rpm MPG:17.3mpg (NEDC combined) CO2: 387g/km First registered: 2007 (56-plate) Recorded mileage:90,000 Price new: £74,115 Yours for: £16,995
Weekends mountain biking the back becomes a cavernous van for all the kit and the bike in security Comfort for the drive home when everything hurts from interfacing with trees, ground or just too many hills.
During the week the schlep along the motorway is whisked away by a stretch of the right foot, automatic for the traffic jams and epic thunderous 6.3litres of AMG grunt for the back roads.
Perfect, except it is possibly likes a drink a little too much.
Was just thinking about these at the weekend funnily enough, never seen one in the flesh, let alone on the road.. Would make an awesome smoker to bomb around in
This is the kinda car (MPV?) that makes absolutley no sense in this country. The diesel alternative will have more than enough performance and return a decent mpg. That's why I'm glad someone's taken off their sensible shoes and bought one!!
I'm in the lucky position of having a no quibble company fuel card. Unfortunately, there's a 5 year age limit on the car that I run so this beast would have been out of the question. I've just bought a 7 seater too.......
And some really good lines at the ready for when the FD invites you in for a chat
Meh, most people I know with access to company expenses are paid some ridiculous fuel rates. Hell I could sate a Bentley Mulsanne's thirst on what some of them get.
Sounds very tempting in a way, but I'm really not sure I like the sound of a £475 road tax bill every year. Obviously you'd only buy this car if you're more or less fine with that, but still... running costs would just be too much to stomach for me at least.
Plus, your passengers are barriers to driving fun in this car. Either you drive like a granny 'cos you've got your precious young 'uns in the back, or your other half tells you to. Kind of lose-lose, and at a CLAIMED 17mpg it's an expensive route to near-constant disappointment in the real world. Just my humble tuppence.
Sounds very tempting in a way, but I'm really not sure I like the sound of a £475 road tax bill every year. Obviously you'd only buy this car if you're more or less fine with that, but still... running costs would just be too much to stomach for me at least.
Plus, your passengers are barriers to driving fun in this car. Either you drive like a granny 'cos you've got your precious young 'uns in the back, or your other half tells you to. Kind of lose-lose, and at a CLAIMED 17mpg it's an expensive way to disappointment. Just my humble tuppence.
I found myself rather annoyed that my Altea averaged 46mpg on a trip to Scotland this weekend. It cost me £70 in diesel.
I can only imagine the hurt this R63 would bring to my wallet, even pussy footing around for the reasons stated above.
That is both utterly pointless and brilliant at the same time.
Bravo Mercedes and AMG.
I just hope that its developments costs were covered by its sales margin so car like this are still created in the future and not poo pooed by the bean counters.
