Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
To tap into Mercedes-AMG’s “One Man, One Engine” engineering philosophy, you must select one of its machines motivated by a handcrafted powerplant such as the 4-liter V8 Biturbo found in the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. The equation from Affalterbach, where the vehicles are built, results in authentic performance, mastered technology, and unadulterated entertainment.
Since Mercedes-Benz just released the all-new GLE SUV and Coupe, it was no surprise that the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 and GLE 63 S followed shortly after. Accordingly, I headed to Grand Junction, the largest city on Colorado’s Western Slope, to highlight the AMG V8’s seismic attitude through the town’s canyon sweepers and mountain climbs. These modern-day gamechangers are solidly built, lively, and packed with cutting-edge technology. In 2027, AMG owners inherit updates across AI assistance, aerodynamic tuning, revamped engine calibration, and smart driver aids.
The refresh gives the SUVs a sharper face and edgier creases. Up front, a revised, illuminated AMG-specific radiator grille with vertical struts and a large Mercedes-Benz insignia takes center stage, along with new air intakes and updated LED lighting. The GLE’s rear received an amended bumper and new taillights with embedded 3-pointed-star graphics. Optional illuminated running boards highlight the side profile, and the AMG Performance exhaust ends in quad tailpipes out back. They sit in a rear fascia with AMG’s signature diffuser, giving the GLE 63 S a more aggressive stance than the standard GLE.
A dose of lethal injection kicks in when you hit the accelerator, unleashing the 4-liter V8 Biturbo with Hybrid Assist, rated at 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. The powerplant uses a mild-hybrid system built around a new 2nd-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG 2.0) on a separate 48-volt electrical system. At low engine speeds, the ISG adds up to 23 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, which fills the gap before the turbochargers reach full boost. So basically, I did not feel any turbo lag during acceleration coming out of Grand Junction’s smooth, flowing curves between red rock walls. The GLE 63 S also recoups energy on the way down, thanks to the massive 6-piston AMG high-performance composite brakes. Optional, these calipers are a bit grabby but complete the job impressively when it’s time to stop the fun.
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission feeds the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system, a fully variable AWD setup that splits torque between the axles based on grip and driving conditions. The standard AMG Performance Exhaust lets the driver change the sound profile depending on how they feel that day. In Comfort mode, the exhaust note is subdued, maybe for early mornings when leaving your neighborhood, and in Sport+ the soundtrack becomes louder and more aggressive. The GLE 63 S reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 3.6 seconds and tops out at an electronically limited 174 mph. Try the new Launch Control for additional thrills from a standstill.
The chassis uses AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with adaptive damping, plus active roll stabilization to keep the body flat in hard corners. AMG DYNAMIC SELECT offers six drive programs: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Trail, and Individual. Each one adjusts engine response, shift timing, steering, suspension, and exhaust sound. Plus, AMG’s Sport+ doesn’t cut off traction control. Many brands turn off this protection feature in their most aggressive setting, but AMG leaves it on in Sport+, giving you a safety net when driving at the limit.
“Our V8 is a central component of our performance DNA and the ideal heart for the new GLE 63 S and GLS 63. For years, the V8 has stood for impressive performance and great popularity among our customers. With the new generation M177 EVO, we have fundamentally revised the power unit and secured its presence in our portfolio for the long term. The result is an engine that impresses with agile response, strong performance and a pronounced appetite for revs – while at the same time meeting increasingly demanding regulations worldwide.” — Michael Schiebe, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG
On Colorado’s winding roads, the GLE 63 S held its line through fast corners with a calm that’s hard to reconcile with its size. Credit goes to the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL Suspension based on AMG RIDE CONTROL, which keeps body lean in check by adjusting itself continuously as driving conditions change. AMG-specific elastokinematics and continuously variable damping give it a wide range. For example, the Sport setting increases damper stiffness for flatter cornering and sharper handling, while Comfort softens the damping for a more relaxed ride.
But the SUV’s power is what hooks you. It always had more to give than I was willing to take. And if you venture onto an unpaved road, Trail mode lifts the body 2.2 inches as your optional 22-inch AMG forged wheels clear minor obstacles. Sport and Sport+ drop the suspension .4 inches for a tighter feel. The new AMG performance exhaust adjusts to how you drive, opening up under hard acceleration even without the rowdier setting. Grip the flat-bottom AMG performance steering wheel, and nearly every key control sits within reach, from the new tactile rollers and rocker switches to the oversized shift paddles and AMG DRIVE UNIT satellite buttons. Its color LCDs manage drive modes and program settings, adjusting the GLE’s performance parameters. Trust me, you’ll feel like Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team driver Kimi Antonelli once you take the wheel!
Step into the opulent cockpit and experience AMG wizardry. The GLE 63 S cabin is built around MB.OS, Mercedes’ own operating system, which runs the 4th-generation MBUX infotainment. Every AMG comes standard with the impressive Burmester 3D surround sound system with 15 speakers and 710 watts. Sound profiles such as Intense and Pure let you tune the audio to your mood. Materials match the technology. MANUFAKTUR Nappa leather comes in Truffle Brown, Carmine Red, or Yacht Blue with AMG trim accents and an available microfiber headliner. Standard comforts include heated and ventilated power front seats, a panoramic roof, multicontour front seats with massage, 4-zone automatic climate control, MBUX Entertainment, MBUX Augmented Reality Head-up Display, and a Digital Vehicle Key for your smartphone.
However, I’ve lost favor with the high-definition displays that run door to door. They were novel at first, but now they are just too much and tend to glitch. I’m at a stage where I want fewer screens. AMG delivers specific displays, including a large tachometer view and live performance data, which is suitable.
AMG started in 1967 outside Mercedes-Benz. Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, two engineers who had worked on racing engines at Daimler-Benz, opened a shop in a former mill in Burgstall, a small town northeast of Stuttgart. The name combines their initials with Grossaspach, Aufrecht’s hometown. Early work focused on tuning Mercedes-Benz engines for racing and for private customers who wanted more performance than the factory offered. Today, Mercedes-AMG GmbH is Mercedes-Benz’s performance arm, boasting a lineup that runs from track-focused GT cars to swifter versions of everyday models. Its engines are still built by hand under the “One Man, One Engine” philosophy: one technician assembles each engine from start to finish and signs the plaque on top.
If your professor asked you to describe an AMG V8 in one word, choices might include fierce, fiery, or ferocious. Whichever you choose, it defines the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. MSRP starts at $137,100 for the traditional SUV model and $139,100 for the sporty Coupe variant. This well-engineered, tech-heavy performer showcases Mercedes-AMG’s latest work in powertrain efficiency, chassis control, and safety systems. It’s AMG, Another Mighty German!
