Here’s Your First Look at the Mercedes AMG GLE63
Most of AMG’s fire-spitting offspring are the stuff of nightmares and legend. As a brand, AMG is singularly eyeing one thing and one thing alone: speed. It doesn’t matter the size of the car the engineers are cranking on, be it the minuscule CLA or the mighty G-Wagen 6×6, every AMG Mercedes will come with enough horsepower to set the world ablaze. And now, that ethos is coming to the newly renamed ML: the GLE63.
A few months ago, we told you about the plan coming down from Mercedes corporate to change a few of the names within the brand’s SUV lineup. The GLK would become the GLC, and the ML would become the GLE, with further changes to the lineup coming in the future. It becomes even more confusing when you consider that there’s also a GLE Coupe with a whole other range of engines and trims.
Confusion aside, Mercedes-Benz has finally dropped the curtain on the restyled and renamed AMG version of the GLE that’s set to replace the ML. Set to officially debut next week at the New York International Auto Show, the new AMG GLE63 and GLE63 S are some of the most powerful AMGs ever put out by Mercedes. With the now ubiquitous 5.5L twin-turbocharged V8, the AMG GLE63 puts out 550 horsepower and 516lb-ft of torque. Upgrade to the AMG GLE63 S and those numbers become 577 horsepower and 561lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are good enough for a run to 60mph in just 4.3 and 4.2 seconds respectively.
However, the AMG engineers weren’t just satisfied with a zero to hero car. In order to make the car handle, yes I said handle, the AMG engineers built a unique transfer case that allows for a 40:60 power split between the front and rear axle. All in all, this SUV looks to be an absolute hoot and one that’s definitely worthy of the AMG badge.
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