The 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG has been unveiled ahead of its 2011 Los Angles motor show debut.

The new ML 63 AMG will become the most powerful mainstream SUV on sale, delivering 410 kW of power when optioned with AMG’s Performance Package. In standard guise, the new ML 63 AMG will still offer 386 kW and 700 Nm of torque – more power but identical torque to the significantly more expensive Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

The performance comes courtesy of AMG’s new 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, which was designed to reduce overall emissions and fuel consumption over the existing 6.2-litre normally aspirated V8 as well as increase performance. Power increases from the existing 375 kW and 630 Nm, helping the big SUV accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds – matching the Cayenne Turbo’s acceleration.

Aside from performance, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG will come with AMG highlights on the exterior, including a silver front lip, silver highlights around the side mirrors and a silver rear diffuser. The ML 63 AMG also gets the trademark quad-outlet exhaust tips, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Larger 21-inch alloys will be available as an option.

Keeping AMG’s new ML on the road is a new active roll stabilisation system that forms part of the AMG sports suspension system, along with Airmatic air suspension, automatic level-control and adaptive damping.

Inside, the new ML 63 features sports AMG seats, an AMG instrument cluster and steering wheel and piano-lacquer trimmings. The ML AMG also comes with the 7-inch COMAND satellite navigation system with hard drive and Sirius real-time traffic and weather, 10-way power front seats with door-mounted controls plus driver and passenger memory with four-way lumbar support, and a Harman/Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system.

Pricing for the new model is yet to be finalised but the outgoing ML 63 AMG starts from R1 223 360.