Mercedes-AMG GLE 43/63/63 S

The mid-cycle renovation that the Mercedes E-segment SUV underwent in 2015 , in which the exterior, interior and engine appearances were improved, also affected the more performance versions, those signed by AMG.

With the changes then introduced in the range, the AMG GLE have also joined the car of the three versions of sports cut.

With aesthetic differences with respect to the current GLE, it is positioned as one of the most powerful options in the segment,  although it is already beginning to lag slightly behind rivals such as the BMW X5 M and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo in terms of power. However, the Star is also available with a coupe body.

Muscular exterior

Any chink of a luxurious cut model that the conventional model had has disappeared after the AMG treatment. However,  as usual, the ‘small’ of the three versions –GLE 43– is barely differentiated by the four tailpipes; in essence it is a GLE equipped with the AMG sports exterior kit.

As on the other occasions, the ‘pata negra’ versions are the ones that have received the most aesthetic changes, either with functional or decorative elements.

Overall, the car sits on the ground with a lot of muscle thanks to the widened wheel arches; although what stands out the most is the prominent front, with a huge lower air intake and the new grill signed by AMG.

New side skirts and 21-inch wheels – 22 as an option –  finish off a fairly continuous profile and without surprises. As for the rear, it features a timid spoiler over the tailgate and a huge functional diffuser that houses the brand’s four trapezoidal tailpipes.

Interior racing

Facing the interior, the changes introduced are those expected in a sports version like the one featured in these lines. New are the steering wheel and seats with a more racing cut , as well as a battery of new decorative moldings.

In addition, the car’s multimedia system features exclusive AMG functions, such as live engine data or a track timer.

More unnoticed a detail of the dashboard passes, and that is that the speedometer is set to 260 km / h, a rather surprising figure for a family car that exceeds two tons in weight in a comfortable way.

Three versions available

The Mercedes GLE AMG range is made up of three versions, which repeat the formula used in the GLC and E-Class AMG, and use two different powertrains. The smallest, the AMG 43, uses a V6 3.0 biturbo engine with 390 hp and 520 Nm of torque, while its top speed is limited to 250 km / h.

As for the two large versions, the 63 and 63 S, they share the same 5.4 biturbo V8 engine;  that in the standard version it approves figures of 557 CV of power and 760 Nm of maximum torque.

For its part, the ‘S’ version increases its power to 585 hp, while the torque figure remains intact; the same happens with the maximum speed, of 250 km / h in both versions.

Exclusively, and without the option to change,  the GLE 43 is satisfied with a 9-speed automatic transmission; V8  engine variants make use of a ‘just’ 7 speed transmission.

Prices

The rates to get one of the most powerful SUVs on the market are not exactly low;  even more so if you opt for the coupe body and its important supplement to the invoice, which we will detail along with the base price of the normal version.

As for the GLE 43, prices start at 83,475 euros, a figure that increases to 95,475 euros in the case of the coupe,  so this model is the one that shows the greatest difference between versions. To access the basic GLE 63 you would have to pay 132,475 euros, and 139,925 euros in the case of the coupe.

Finally, and more interesting, are the prices of the GLE 63 S, and it is that for the 143 975 and 151 850 euros that the normal and the coupe cost, respectively, they represent an admissible extra due to the improvements compared to the immediately lower level.

Mercedes-AMG GLE facts

• 5 doors
• 5 seats
• Trunk: 690 and 650 liters (Coupé)
• 4MATIC all-wheel drive
• V6 and V8 biturbo engines with powers of 390, 557 and 585 hp
• Consumption and emissions: from 8.9 l / 100 km and 205 g / km of CO2
• 7 and 9 speed automatic transmission
• Price: from 83,475 euros