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Circuit Mont Tremblant, QC - Bigger is better right? That's not usually the case when it comes to track-ready vehicles. Small, lithe and nimble are all adjectives you'd rather be associated with your ride; not behemoth, large or oafish. However, when it comes to the likes of the large 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG it's truly “small” at heart.

Dressed to the nines with a track-killing engine beneath the hood, I approached the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG with hesitation knowing I was about to take it out on the curvy, hard-to-master Circuit Mont Tremblant after driving the likes of the SLK, SLS and C63 -- all anorexic and race-ready compared to the ginormous SUV before me.

It's safe to say that the GL63 AMG put my fears to rest -- and my right foot to the floor -- on more than one occasion.


What is a Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG?
Essentially, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG is a steroid-induced version of the GL-Class, a luxury crossover SUV. This truly is a track-ready family vehicle.

Since 2006, the GL-Class has graced our streets with its big, bold looks. Its second-generation (unveiled in 2012) is even larger, but lighter. Offered in both diesel and gas variants, the GL-Class is a bit of a bruiser, but the ideal weekend warrior for family trips to the country and just as comfortable in the city.

The AMG version? Well, it's just madness; but a glorious kind of madness to the tune of over 500 horses...

Technicalities
With three rows and plenty of room in the trunk, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG seems to be the farthest thing from a track-ready vehicle. However, I'll let these numbers change your mind: 5.5L biturbo V8 good for 550 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque handled via a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic transmission, with a 0-100km sprint completed in just 4.8 seconds.

All that fantastic power and capability can be had for just $125,900 (base). Quite a bit of pocket change, but if you can afford it, I say: Why not?

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG's V8 roars to life in a fabulous manner, warning of things to come. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone)

Driving the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
I was not expecting the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG to do at all as well as it did on the track. As I'd just come from the smaller, lighter GLK 250 BlueTEC and felt it was soft, unresponsive, and offered up way to much body roll; I felt certain the behemoth that is the GL63 would be just as bad, if not worse.

I've never been more wrong in my life.

Press that start/stop button and the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG's V8 roars to life in a fabulous manner, warning of things to come. Pop the retro-style column shifter in “D” and it's as if you've been transported into a C-Class.

My first few corners in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG were handled with care -- after all, it's a top-heavy SUV with significant body roll, isn't it? Um, no. It's not at all. In fact, it handled the track as well as the C63 AMG Coupe I'd driven mere moments before.

Throttle response is sharp and on point, and with Sport+ engaged rpms are pushed higher. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG blissfully rev-matches all downshifts to the tune of the V8's angry exhaust note out the rear quad tailpipes.

I was surprised with how easily the GL63 AMG handled any corner I threw its way, until I remembered the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM that features active stabilizers that help control the vehicle's body lean.

Bringing this big beast to a stop is no trouble at all thanks to massive brakes that feature Adaptive Braking Technology that predicts your braking needs. Lift off the throttle quickly and it'll prime the brakes for you.

I was surprised with how easily the GL63 AMG handled any corner I threw its way. (Photo: Miranda Lightstone)

Ins and Outs of the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
Sitting atop 21” AMG twin 5-spoke rims, in black with brushed chrome accents and AMG badging in all the right places; this is one good-looking SUV. Intimidating and aggressive from nose to tail, it's clear this vehicle means business when you see it in your rearview.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz spared no luxurious expense in the 2013 GL63 AMG. From hand-polished wood to brushed metal trim, you'll be happy no matter where you sit in this 7-seater. However, I'd highly recommend the driver's seat...

You'll be happy no matter where you sit in this 7-seater. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz)

Comparing the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG
Truthfully, there's not much out there in the realm of the GL63 AMG. Some would say that's because Mercedes was mental to build a supercar SUV. However, if you are in the market for a GL63 AMG , you'll want to take a look at the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, BMW X5M and Range Rover Supercharged -- all worthy opponents to the big AMG track-killer.

James Finch's Phoenix Racing, the little team which provided second chances for Kurt Busch and A.J. Allmendinger, may itself get a second chance at survival.

Florida businessman, Finch, has been running the primarily Sprint Cup team out of his own pocket and said that he could not continue after the running of the Brickyard 400 at the end of July.

Finch told his local newspaper, the Panama City Herald Finch said Thursday that he expects to announce the sale of his team on July 15. He told the newspaper the purchaser is already in the Nationwide Series and has run in Sprint Cup.

“He's somebody who's got money,” Finch said.

Rumors in the garage area at Sunday's race in Kentucky say that one of the owners of the Turner Scott Motorsports team is the interested party.

Already this year Phoenix Racing has run five different drivers including Jacques Villeneuve, at Sonoma, Austin Dillon in Kentucky.

Jacques Villeneuve, Chevrolet SS. (Photo: NASCAR)

Phoenix Racing first raced at the Cup level in 1990 but has only one victory in 244 races when Brad Keselowski won at Talladega Super Speedway.

In the Nationwide Series Phoenix has 13 wins in 538 races.

Finch gets his equipment from Hendrick Motorsports and prepares its' cars in Spartanburg, South Carolina which is not too far from NASCAR team's hub in Charlotte, NC. And he told a local television station that if the sale goes through it would include the land, the shop, all the equipment, including up to 24 race cars and haulers.

And under NASCAR rules the purchaser would get the owner's points which go to guaranteed starting positions.

From GMM

It was Red Bull who alerted the FIA to a rules breach that could have cost Nico Rosberg victory at Silverstone last Sunday.

We have reported that, in the wake of the bitter 'test-gate' scandal, the tension between world champions Red Bull and Mercedes remains palpable.

So just after Rosberg's champagne-soaked celebrations on Sunday, it emerged that the German driver and his team were summoned by the stewards to explain his alleged failure to slow for yellow flags.

The officials decided simply to reprimand Nico Rosberg.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Germany's Bild newspaper reports on Tuesday that it was Red Bull who alerted the FIA to Rosberg's breach, which if punished with a time penalty could have cost him the win.

Dr Helmut Marko defended Red Bull's actions.

"We did not attack Mercedes, but only pointed out that Rosberg was too fast under a yellow flag. If it had been us (committing the breach), the other teams would also immediately tell the FIA. It's a totally normal thing," the Austrian insisted.

A jury in Virginia decided that Hyundai Motor should pay $14 million to a man who suffered traumatic brain damage in a car accident after the side airbags in his 2008 Hyundai Tiburon coupe failed to deploy.

Car dealers in the United States had a good year in 2012.

Ten years ago, we had the pleasure of putting the SLR through its paces. Even driving one in pre-spec form, we knew this

Tesla shares today surged to a record high after an analyst almost doubled her price target for the maker of electric cars and increased estimates of its 2013 deliveries.

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and 1973 Porsche 911 Turbo

Celebrating six generations of Porsche's legendary car.

"Turbo" has become a household word in 2013, but it represented black magic in 1973.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and 1973 Porsche 911 Turbo - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and 1973 Porsche 911 Turbo - Automobile Magazine

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Diversified auto supplier Federal-Mogul has sold its connecting rod and camshaft business to JD Norman Industries.

There are few cars that had such vastly different fortunes in Europe and America than the Renault 5, or the Le Car as it was known here.

General Motors has decided to deep-freeze a range-topping ultraluxury sedan it was developing for Cadillac, according to three people with knowledge of the companyand#8217;s plans.

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

Equally at home on American roads as in Morocco.

I was anxious to see if I liked the new, 2013 Range Rover here on American roads as much as I did last fall in Morocco, where I drove it through sand dunes, across rocky river beds, and along twisty, rutted mountain roads.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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It's a grim thought but every year the equivalent of the entire population of a small city is killed in traffic accidents in the EU alone. Consequently, there is a clear need for further improvements in traffic safety, specifically braking technologies. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with executives of Continental to find out how the company is playing its part to reduce the accident toll by pushing back the technical boundaries of electronic braking systems.

Toyota has a plan to sell 10m vehicles a year and will look to sell half of them in in emerging economies.

Hindustan Motors has signed an agreement with Isuzu Motors' Indian subsidiary to contract manufacture SUVs and pickup trucks in the country.

Audi says its Audi Matrix LED headlights will make their debut on the new A8, which is scheduled for market launch at the end of 2013.

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has recently started production of its electrically powered steering (EPS) belt drive system for the first time on a global vehicle platform launching in China.

At last, Glenn Brooks finds he has an answer to that question, "If you could only have one car?" Well, maybe.

Like the fabled water-burning carburetor, hydrogen

News 1 Jul, 2013

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