Mercedes-AMG GLE: Teutonic Rollercoaster Ride with 4MATIC Power
Mercedes-Benz
Trustworthy Performance
Out on a tight and sweeping road, there’s no noticeable over or understeer, which gave me a sense of trust way beyond what you’d ever expect from a vehicle of this size. Our route also took in roads of varying surfaces, from smooth highways to rutted, pot-holed and speed bump infested stretches. The significant Continental 275/45 ZR 21 front and 315/40 ZR 21 rear tires and electronic damped suspension took all of this surprisingly well.
My next module was a couple of flat-out laps around Gerotek’s banked high speed oval track, following a little expert instruction. The AMG GLEs tracked perfectly around the steep banks and stormed down the straights. Although I did find the 53s slightly lighter and a bit easier to drive at those high speeds!
From there it was a jump from the frying pan into the fire. The next mind-blowing activation saw us descend down a 27-degree concrete strip using only the electronically controlled DSR traction and Braking system. Setting off is basically like going over the edge in a roller coaster. Yet all you do is gently guide the steering with your feet off the pedals. The car does the rest for you.
Ken Hawkins
AMG GLE: Rollercoaster Madness
And if that rollercoaster madness was not enough, the descent was followed by an immediate climb back up a similar but even steeper 35-degree strip. Well, there it is. From the bottom it looks like you are going to drive up a wall and your AMG GLE does just that! No settings, no fuss. Just add constant power and steer the massive SUV up the strip. All this in a four-hundred- and fifty-kilowatt bruiser… Wow!
from there we drove drive through a series of deep offset holes that tested axle articulation, traction and pliability to the limit. Not that we came anywhere near these incredible car’s limits. It more tested mine! All four wheels take turns to lift way up off the ground as the diagonally opposite one dips deep into the hole as you slowly crawl along.
These AMGs have a raised suspension setting that provides a perfect platform more than sufficient to deal with the steepest entry and exit angles front and back. Just in case a GLE 63 S owner ever needs this sort of versatility!
Mercedes-Benz
High-speed Braking
Our final exercise was braking from very high speed on a slippery test track with the one side of the car on the normal surface and the other on a slippery painted strip. To demonstrate the AMG GLE’s ability to stop on a dime. Even on compromised surfaces. It took trusting me to attack such a treacherous surface. But after a few runs I was soon comfortable that these vehicles can so easily cope.
There’s no hint of brake fade or loss of directional control. Even when the same high speed straight strip was set up with cones for a slalom runs that these incredible machines still managed without a hint of instability or drama.
There was much to take in over a very short time on this most professionally run event. But after a full and fun packed day of driving, these stunning vehicles had well surpassed all and any expectation. Superbly built, supremely comfortable, safe as houses, great to look at and wonderful to drive, whatever the conditions, I can say after a day with these trusty steeds, is that I want an AMG GLE!
Ken Hawkins
Mercedes-AMG GLE Pricing GLE 53 4Matic $72,350 GLE 53 4Matic Coupé $76,500 GLE 63 S 4Matic $113,950 GLE 63 S 4Matic Coupé $116,000