7 Things You Learn Driving This Ultra-Rare Mercedes AMG Minivan
Shoehorning an immensely potent power plant in an unsuspecting chassis has always resulted in dreamy sleepers. (Proof: Paul Newman’s Buick Grand National-powered 1988 Volvo 740 Turbo wagon.) When that upfitting is done by the factory, even better. Which is why whoever had the idea to drop Mercedes-Benz’s prodigious 6.2-liter V-8 mill into its R-Class multipurpose vehicle—Europeans eschew the term “minivan”—is a hero. There’s no need to ask whether the world needed a 507-horsepower German minivan; of course we did.
The R 63 was only made from July 2006 to June 2007, per the folks at Mercedes-Benz Classic, who own and maintain the unit I recently wheeled. And, per the materials accompanying the snarling people mover, “approximately 100 units [were] produced,” with only about 44 of those heading to the United States. Why so low? Extremely low sales combined with a lack of awareness and advertising meant there was no demand, so Merc dropped production after a single year.
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Still, I was lucky enough to pilot one of the scant R63 AMG units, I am here to tell you this unicorn holds up, nearly 20 years after its inception. Here’s what you learn after spending solid seat time in a 2007 R 63 AMG.
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It’s mighty quick
First things first: it’s not lithe. Its curb weight is a shade under 5,300 pounds, and that’s before you factor in whether each of the seven seats is holding a human. The 6.2-liter V8 is good for 507 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, ample enough to get this minivan hauling from a dead stop to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, and impressive by 2007 standards. (For comparison, the 2007 Aston Martin Vanquish also has a 4.6 time.) Still, toggle Sport mode through the button on the center console, and mash the accelerator to feel a ton of oomph. It gets you hauling in a hurry.
There was an optional driver’s package which raised the top speed to 171 mph
The regular R63 AMG is capped at 155 mph, but there was a tick-box option for a driver’s package, which raised the top speed to 171 mph. One R63 owner claims to have gotten his ride up to 165, though it’s unclear if his had this option selected.
It can hang when pushed—to a point
Laureles Grade is a twisty road full of switchbacks and some sweepers that wind you up and down a mountain range between Laguna Seca and Caramel Valley, California. With no traffic, it’s a hoot in a supercar; a fun expanse to gauge any high-powered coupe or sedan’s performance. The R63 does an admirable job through tighter cutbacks and turns at an expedient clip. You can adjust the suspension to sport mode, stiffening everything and reducing body roll. There’s a decent amount of understeer but it’s AWD so that’s to be expected. Still, the R63 did such solid work chasing a newer Porsche 911 and Alfa Romeo 4C up the mountain that both drivers pulled into a turnout to cheer us as we whizzed past.
Be ready to greet adoring fans
We drove the R 63 during Monterey’s illustrious Car Week, which brims with vehicular unicorns. However, when sandwiched in between the likes of a Ferrari SF90 and a Pagani Huayra in thick traffic, gawking fans want to take photos of the R 63. “Dude. I never thought I’d see one of these in real life,” shouted one driver from his 356 Porsche. Even the valets, who get (limited) seat time in all manner of super steeds, are enamored. “I just had to say,” one breathless valet exclaimed after sprinting over, “this thing is incredible. It’s the most unique car I’ve seen all week.” This from a guy who just handed over a one-off Bugatti Chiron to its owner in line ahead of me.
The exhaust could be fiercer and it loves gas
Germany didn’t—and still largely doesn’t—love a loud exhaust. Even though the engineers at AMG did treat the R63’s exhaust to a bit of a tune, it’s sedate. There’s a lovely rumble upon start-up and at idle, and it gives a solid crescendoing growl as the speedo rises, but you’re left wanting a hint more bark emerging from the quad-tailpipes. Also, unsurprisingly given the 6.2-liter V8 and the fact that we kept romping on it in sport mode, which always maintains a higher point in the revs, we averaged between 8 and 10 miles per gallon.
Creature comforts abound
It was very well optioned, though it should be for a starting price of $88,175 (about $134,030 adjusted for today’s inflation). Still, you get TV screens in the rear headrests, with the option to plug in the likes of a portable VCR or gaming system, satellite radio, power seats all around, heated front and rear seats, a tri-zone climate control, and even active cornering headlights. The interior may look a touch dated now, but it’s still got everything you’d ever want.
Drive one and you’ll start researching buying one
It’s seriously a blast. Comfy and plush when you want to amble around town, and enough zip to scratch your power itch when you want to uncork the hand-built engine. While the exterior design may not be worthy of concours podiums, it’s pretty comely to behold in the metal, and you’ll get all the ganders from gearheads in the know. Prices for used R63s are steadily rising; examples with more than 120,000 miles are fetching more than $40,000 on the usual auction and enthusiast sites. Worth it? Absolutely.
