Mercedes-Benz R63L AMG

What’s new?

The inevitable conclusion of Mercedes’ every-engine-in-everything product planning – meet the improbable union of the vaguely MPV-ish R-class and AMG's 6.3-litre V8 motor. The result is the fastest six-seater in the world, performance constrained only by a 155 mph electronic speed limiter. The £74,115 price tag and 17.3mpg combined fuel economy are slightly less amusing.

What’s it like?

Better than expected, to be honest. The engine is very much the star of the R63’s show – this is one of the world’s great powerplants - and the massive, linear performance is channelled through to the road surface very effectively by the R-class' four-wheel-drive chassis.
Autobahn cruising speeds are alarmingly easy to attain and, thanks to excellent cabin insulation, few cars feel more composed at mega-velocities. Off motorways and straight A-roads though, the R63 suffers with roll-prone handling and lurid understeer in the wet. But then you knew you were going to read that somewhere in this review.

Should I buy one?

If you’re a millionaire with four kids, a second home in Geneva and a real life get-out-of-jail-free card for the French Gendarmerie, then it’s worthy of serious consideration. Otherwise, it's hard to rationalise how this car is really any more effective as a sports car than any other R-class in the range. In anything other than a very fast, very straight line, that is.