Mercedes launches GL 63 AMG luxury SUV at Rs 1.66 crore

Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz launched its seven-seater sports utility vehicle GL 63 AMG in India with a price tag of Rs 1.66 crore (ex-showroom Mumbai).

Based on the new GL Class which was launched in India last year, the GL63 AMG is the go-faster, performance-oriented version of the SUV.

(With inputs from PTI and Indian Autos Blog)

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Power comes from a 5,461 cc V8 engine producing 557 hp between 5,250-5,750 rpm and 760 Nm of torque between 2,000-5,000 rpm.

The GL63 sends power to all its wheels using an AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission and Mercedes’s traditional 4MATIC system.

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The car can go from 0 to 100 kmph within 4.9 seconds, while the top-speed is electronically limited to 250 kmph.

In the EU tests, the GL63 claims an average fuel consumption of 8.13 kmpl and emits 288 g/km of CO2.

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Unlike the regular GL Class which is locally assembled at Mercedes’s facility in Chakan, Maharashtra, the GL63 AMG is brought into the country via the CBU (Completely Built-up Unit) route.

Mercedes India’s AMG portfolio now consists of the C63 AMG, E63 AMG, SLK55 AMG, G63 AMG and GL63 AMG. Mercedes plans to launch the CLA45 AMG, having previewed the car at the Auto Expo 2014.

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The company plans to roll out 10 products by December, Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Eberhard Kern told reporters after the launch.

"The GL 63 AMG is one of the most revolutionary products to come from Mercedes-Benz. This is the perfect car for our customers and enthusiasts, who are passionate about performance driving and want an adrenaline gushing experience from their cars," Kern said.

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Stating that the company posted a 32 per cent growth in volumes in 2013, Kern said, "Sales in the January-March period grew by 27.12 per cent to 2,554 units."

The German firm had reported a 31.62 per cent increase in sales in 2013 at 9,003 units as against 6,840 in 2012.

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"We are confident of achieving double-digit growth this year as well. Our best-selling products remain the C-Class and new E-Class but other models, including GL 63 AMG, will also contribute significantly in volume growth," he said.

Kern said the process of doubling capacity at the Chakan plant in Pune is almost complete.

"More vehicles will be produced locally. However, there are no plans to produce GL 63 AMG locally at this stage," he said.

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The Mercedes-Benz India product portfolio comprises the locally produced S, E, C, GL and M-Class models. Completely built imported cars include the A, CLS and SLK-Class and the luxury tourer B-Class and luxury SUV GL 63 AMG.

The company sells these models through 54 dealerships in 35 Indian cities.