THE world's fastest sport utility vehicle was unveiled in concept form at the North American International Auto Show with expectations high that Mercedes-Benz will import the M-class-based vehicle into the UK in mid-2000. Due to be launched as a production vehicle initially in the US at the end of this year the high performance ML55 AMG made its world debut as a design study in Detroit with Mercedes-Benz claiming the vehicle injects the word 'sport' into 'sport utility'.

Blazing on-road performance from the AMG-modified 5.5-litre version of Mercedes-Benz' V8 engine produces more than 340bhp blasting the four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle from 0-60mph in less than seven seconds and a top speed of almost 150mph. The interior offers all the features of a luxury executive car. AMG is the premier tuner and racer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and the manufacturer recently purchased a majority interest in the company.