New Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe to rival BMW X6 M with 603bhp
The new hot Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe sports a range of chassis improvements and a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8
This is the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ Coupe. Due to go on sale this spring, it’s the German company’s latest performance-focussed coupe-SUV, which has been tasked with rivalling the new BMW X6 M.
Like all Mercedes-AMG products, the GLE 63 has been treated to an aggressive cosmetic redesign, with new front and rear bumpers, wider side skirts, flared wheel arches, a faux diffuser, a new lip spoiler for the tailgate and a quad-exit exhaust system. There are also a handful of AMG alloy wheel designs, sized between 21 and 22 inches in diameter.
Inside, buyers get a pair of leather-trimmed, AMG-branded sports seats, an AMG steering wheel and a customisable interior ambient lighting system. The standard GLE’s 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle and 12.3-inch infotainment system has been retained, but both have been reprogrammed with a range of AMG-specific displays – such as G-meter, a race timer and an engine data screen, which displays oil temperature and power output.
It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, which is equipped with Mercedes’s EQ Boost 48-volt starter-generator mild-hybrid system. It’s offered to European customers in two states of tune – although UK buyers will only receive the most potent “S” variant, with 603bhp and 850Nm of torque.
Power is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox – and Mercedes-AMG says the GLE Coupe has a 0–62mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 174mph. The GLE’s four-wheel-drive system can also automatically manage the engine’s torque split over the rear axle, sending power to whichever wheel has the most grip.
To keep all that power in check, Mercedes has fitted a range of chassis upgrades, including an uprated air suspension system, an electronically controlled locking rear differential, enormous six-piston front brakes and AMG’s active roll stabilisation system, which Mercedes says reduces body movement by supporting the loaded wheels under cornering. Mercedes- AMG also offers a ceramic brake package as an optional extra.
There are seven selectable drive modes, which Mercedes says offers a wide spread of ability between comfort and performance. There are four road-focussed settings (“Comfort.” “Sport,” “Sport+” and “RACE”), two off-road settings (“Trail” and “Sand”) and a personalised driving mode, which allows the driver to tailor the GLE 63’s suspension, transmission and exhaust settings to their own specifications.
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