The GLE Coupé range unveiled earlier consists of GLE 350 d, GLE 400, and GLE 450 AMG. Now they are joined by a pair of full-AMG variants, the GLE 63 Coupé 4MATIC and the GLE 63 S Coupé 4MATIC.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4MATIC | Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupé 4MATIC |
| Drive Type | Permanent all-wheel drive (4MATIC) | |
| Engine | 5,461 cc V8 twin-turbo | |
| Transmission | AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC | |
| Max Power | 557 hp @ 5,750 rpm | 585 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 700 Nm @ 1,750 – 5,500 rpm | 760 Nm @ 1,750 – 5,250 rpm |
Continuing their high-performance SUV legacy that started off by the ML 55 AMG in 1999, the GLE 63 Coupé debuts at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and it packs a serious hardware to take on the rivals in the still-niche segment.
EXTERIOR
While the standard GLE Coupe is not short on drama, the GLE 63 Coupé gets a shot of attitude with unique AMG parts to distinguish it further from the standard variants.
The front features the twin-louvre AMG grille, LED headlamps, and the trademark “A-wing” inside the bumper capped off by a pair of black flics for optimum airflow into the huge air intake.
The black wheel arches are flared to accomodate a set of 21-inch AMG 10-spoke light-alloy wheels. They are shod with 285/45 R 21 tyres at the front, and 325/40 R 21 tyres at the back. The rubber-studded side running boards you see in these pictures however, are optional.
At the back the changes are minor, where a new rear bumper houses a pair of twin tailpipes and a diffuser. AMG badges can be found on the front grille and on the bootlid, as well as “V8 BITURBO” lettering on the front fenders.
The GLE 63 S Coupé is further differentiated by bigger 22-inch wheels with 285/40R22 tyres at the front and 325/35R22 tyres at the back, hiding a set of red-painted brake calipers behind the cross-spoke light-alloy wheels. The A-wing gets a high-gloss black treatment too.
INTERIOR
The interior trim is finished in light longitudinal-grain aluminium, while nappa leather is used on the 3-spoke Performance steering wheel and the seats. Apart from nappa leather, ARTICO man-made leather is used to cover the dashboard.
Like any other AMG models, the dials have carbon-fibre face with red needles and a speedometer that sweeps to a maximum of 320 km/h. Also included is the AMG start-up screen and RACETIMER in the main menu.
The GLE 63 S Coupé adds DINAMICA microfibre to the grip area on the steering wheel, grey decorative band on the dials, and higher-grade nappa leather upholstery with contrasting grey stitching and grey seat belts.
PERFORMANCE
Moving up from the 3.0-litre biturbo V6 in the GLE 450 AMG Coupé, the GLE 63 Coupé gets a 5.5-litre biturbo V8. In the ‘base’ GLE 63 Coupé it generates 557 hp at 5,750 rpm and 700 Nm of torque from 1,750 – 5,500 rpm; while in the GLE 63 S Coupé it produces 585 hp at 5,500 rpm and 760 Nm of torque from 1,750 – 5,250 rpm.
Both guises are equipped with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission that features dual-turbine torsional damper with speed-sensitive centrifugal pendulum to minimise vibration. The gearbox transfers the power to the rear-biased 4MATIC all-wheel drive system with 40:60 ratio front to rear.
The GLE 63 S Coupé gets from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds while the base GLE 63 Coupé is only 0.1 seconds slower, and both have a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The GLE 63 Coupé uses RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with AIRMATIC package combined with ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM that stabilises the vehicle during cornering.
Five modes can be chosen from the DYNAMIC SELECT via the rotary control on the center console: Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus. Each mode alters the steering, throttle response, dampers, and the gearbox shift pattern to suit every driving conditions.
WHAT ELSE?
Not only the GLE 63 Coupé is performance-oriented, it’s also fully equipped with numerous driving assistance. It includes the PRE-SAFE® system, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, ADAPTIVE BRAKING, ATTENTION ASSIST, and Crosswind Assist.
Meanwhile the Driving Assistance Plus package, DISTRONIC PLUS, COMAND Online, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system, and Harman Kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system are a part of the long options list.
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IMAGE GALLERY
