For the fans of high-speed SUVs Mercedes will offer its new ML63 going on sale from April, priced from €108,885.

Last time we checked 108 grand was still an awful lot of money, but in case you want to spend even more, they also offer an AMG Performance Pack for €7021.

For that money you get a Mercedes ML, not the best SUV around if we’re honest, powered by AMG’s latest 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8, which certainly IS one of the best engines around. In the MML63 this tower f power makes 386 kW (525 hp) and a peak torque of 700 newton metres. Add the Performance Pacakge and it shoots up to 410 kW (557 hp) and its maximum torque to 760 newton metres.

Performance-wise, acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 4.8 seconds and 4.7 seconds respectively, while the top speed stands at 250 km/h (electronically limited). With or without AMG Performance package, the NEDC fuel consumption figure of 11.8 litres per 100 kilometres (276 g CO2/km) remains the same.

Fuel consumption really depends on where you put the 7G-tronic system’s control knob. This seven-speed automatic transmission offers a fascinatingly broad scope of variability. In “Controlled Efficiency” (C) mode the ECO start/stop function is active, shutting down the eight-cylinder engine when the vehicle is stationary. “C” also stands for a gentle accelerator and transmission characteristic with early gear changes; start-up generally takes place in second gear here. A green “ECO” symbol in the AMG instrument cluster indicates to the driver that the ECO start/stop function is active.

On the average it does 11.8 liter/100km.

Standard equipment includes:

• AMG door sills in stainless steel

• AMG floor mats

• AMG sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs

• Audio 20 CD radio with Bluetooth and USB interface

• EASY-PACK load compartment cover

• Tyre pressure monitoring system

• Headlamp cleaning system

• Electric sliding glass roof

• Heated seats for driver and front passenger

• AMG Performance package with increase in power of 24 kW (32 hp) and 60 newton metres more torque, AMG engine cover in high-quality genuine carbon fibre, AMG performance steering wheel with DINAMICA microfibre in the grip area, red-painted callipers

• 5-twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels (10 x 21) painted in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish, fitted with tyres in size 295/35 R 21

• AMG performance steering wheel with DINAMICA microfibre in the grip area

• Trailer coupling with electric unlocking

• Becker® MAP PILOT

• Electrically operated EASY PACK tailgate

• Rear Seat Entertainment System

• harman/kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system

• Wood/leather steering wheel in nappa leather

• THERMOTRONIC luxury automatic climate control

• Light package including Intelligent Light System

• Media Interface

• Memory package

• COMAND Online multimedia system

• Electric panoramic sliding glass sunroof

• Aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs

• TV tuner

• Wood trim including retractable cover in centre console made of wood