Mercedes-Benz took advantage of the Moscow International Auto Salon to debut the latest addition to its SUV and AMG lineups. The debut comes as Mercedes prepares to mark 50 years of producing its AMG custom branch.

The 2013 seven-passenger GL 63 AMG is powered by a 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine that delivers 557 horsepower. The engine includes spray-guided direct injection, piezo injectors, air and water intercooling, an all-aluminum crankcase, a four-valve-per-cylinder design with variable camshaft adjustment, alternator management, and the ECO start/stop system.

Other features to enhance its ride include AMG ride control with an active curve system roll stabilization.

The GL 63 AMG achieves 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.9 seconds, and has a top speed of more than 155 mph.

"With the new GL 63 AMG, our all-wheel drive lineup is now complete," Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH who traveled to Moscow for the event, said in a statement. "In addition to the ML 63 AMG all-rounder and the recently unveiled, characterful G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG models, the GL 63 AMG places particular emphasis on dynamism and style. Combining the first-rate comfort of the S-Class with the performance of an AMG sports saloon, the GL 63 AMG is unique in its segment."

That the company chose the Moscow show for the model's debut highlights the growing importance of the Russian market to all car companies who trade in it.

 "AMG has made a fantastic start to this year. We racked up growth of 30 percent for the first half of this year," Ola Källenius said. "It was the best six months in our company history. And Russia was a major driver of that sustainable growth."

The new GL 63 AMG will arrive in US showrooms early in 2013.

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