Mercedes-AMG GLE: Teutonic Rollercoaster Ride with 4MATIC Power

Mercedes-Benz

Optimized Traction, No Matter the Situation

That’s over and above GLE’s 4Matic Plus four-wheel drive for optimized traction whatever your driving situation. Torque is split front to rear depending on road conditions and driver inputs. That’s backed up by a standard electronically controlled rear differential and there are up to eight driving modes available for whatever road conditions you may encounter.

Of course, the technology we were really here for sits under the bonnet. Each engine is of course hand crafted to AMG’s famous one-man one-engine philosophy. Big brother 63s get Affalterbach (that’s where they build AMGs these days) 603 horsepower 627 foot-pound Newton-meter 4-litre biturbo V8. Now further boosted by a 48-volt EQ Integrated 22 hp 185 lb-ft starter generator, it also has a four-cylinder deactivation system help cut fuel optimization.

And how quick is the Mercedes-AMG E63 S? We thought you’d ask! 0-60 happens in 3,7 seconds (yes, you read that right — this truck gets to one hundred in three point eight seconds!) and packing an optional AMG Driver’s Package, will top 175 mph.

That’s fast!

Ken Hawkins

Meet the mini-me AMG GLE

Then there are the mini-me AMG GLEs — the 53 4Matics propelled by Benz’ all-new 429 hp 384 lb-ft 2999 cc 3-litre straight six hybrid with an exhaust gas turbo and an electric charger too. Add a similar electric motor residing in its 9-speed gearbox for that same bonus 21 hp 185 lb-ft Nm EQ Boost additional output. For the record, GLE 53 rushes to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and tops 155 mph. That’s quicker than an E63 was fifteen years ago!

My first SUV out on the road was the GLE 63 Estate. Solid yet nimble and well balanced, it feels more like a well-behaved medium SUV. There’s a feeling of being right at home in a plushily finished and comfortable space. The electronic settings and functions don’t take too long to fathom out, but there really is a lot to take in for the uninitiated. Of course, owners will soon be on top of these incredible MBUX Infotainment systems and their varying display styles.

The 63’s exhaust growls out a bark with a sense of urgency under hard acceleration. For such a large vehicle the pulling sensation is truly surprising with a continuous surge and without any directional misbehavior. The 9-speed gearbox is super smooth, and you’ll never, ever be in the wrong gear!