LA MOTOR SHOW: Mercedes-AMG GLE and GLS 63 unpacked
Go-faster German SUVs now offer up to 450kW and 850Nm, making GLE as quick as GLC 63 AMGAs night follows day, Mercedes-Benz has revealed more powerful new AMG versions of its latest GLE and GLS luxury SUVs, both of which are confirmed for Australian release in the second half of next year.
The big new 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 arrives here in the third quarter of the next year, while the larger-still 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 lands in the fourth quarter.
Let’s cut to the chase and cover what you all want to know: how much quicker and more powerful are the new AMG SUVs than the models they replace? The answer is lots.
So far there’s no sign of a Mercedes-AMG version of the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe revealed in September, so for now the new Mercedes-AMG GLE S SUV is the quickest of the bunch, with a 0-100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds and a 280km/h top speed with the optional AMG Drivers Package.
That means it matches the 0-100km.h pace of the recently facelifted Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S mid-sizer, which arrives here in December, to become AMG’s quickest SUV.
More importantly, it also matches the standing-start performance of its most direct rival in the upcoming BMW X5 M Competition, which arrives in mid-2020, as well as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid – but not the Lamborghini Urus.
While the standard (420Nm/750Nm) Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 won’t be offered here, the S version comes with AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 packing a mammoth 450kW of power over 5750-6500rpm and 850Nm of torque over 2500-4500rpm.
In addition, for the first time, a 48-volt ‘EQ Boost’ starter-alternator delivers an extra 16kW of power, delivered through an AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution and new ‘Trail’ and ‘Sand’ drive modes, in which ride height raises by 55mm up to 70km/h.
Only the high-output 450kW/850Nm engine is offered in the sole Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, based on the all-new GLS due here next month. The bigger AMG SUV is claimed to hit 100km/h in ‘just’ 4.2sec and fuel consumption rises from 11.5 to 11.9L/100km.
Naturally, both GLE and GLS AMG models come with a host of chassis upgrades too, including three-mode AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL air suspension with active roll stabilisation, plus three AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs and three ESC settings.
Brake upgrades comprise six-piston fixed callipers with 400x38mm discs up front and single-piston floating callipers with 370x32mm rotors at the rear. Red callipers are reserved for S models and an optional ceramic brake rotor package also brings bronze callipers.
In Europe, the GLE 63 S and GLS 63 ride on 21-inch alloys and options up to 22-inch are available, and of course there’s a tough body kit including chunkier front and rear bumpers, a prominent rear roof spoiler and twin rectangular exhaust outlets.
An AMG Night package will also be offered, including heat-insulating, dark-tinted windows and a black look for the front splitter, front/rear apron trims, side skirt inserts, mirror caps, window frames and tailpipes.
Inside, AMG seats are upholstered in nappa leather and finished with AMG badging on the back rests, and the latest three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel has aluminium shift paddles.
Other new standard equipment includes adjustable ambient lighting, AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs, and AMG-lettered door sill panels and black floor mats. Powered second-row seating is among a host of other interior options.
Daimler’s MBUX infotainment system adds a Supersport mode with a central tacho and 3D-look scales, and while the GLS 63 adds MULTIBEAM LED headlights, Europe’s optional Driving Assistance package is likely to be standard Down Under on both AMG models.
It includes Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC radar cruise control, Active Speed Limit Assist, End of Tailback Function, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Emergency Lane Function, Active Brake Assist, Cornering and Cross-Traffic Function, End of Tailback Emergency Brake Function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Exit Warning, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Stop-and-Go Assist and PRE-SAFE Impulse Side.
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