Page 45 - Kyalami Issue 3 2021

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
3.0 Folder (Inner)
MOTORING

MERCEDES AMG

The two extra buttons on the left are for
GLE63S 4MATIC+ the exhaust and suspension settings.
Race mode with performance exhaust
creates noise levels that must be rated
ow do you describe a large, as noise pollution!
BY ALAN ROSENMEYER
luxury family SUV that’s
capable of sprinting from
Super SUV, H0 to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds Obviously at this price level the GLE
comes packed with almost every
Hyper SUV and to a top speed of 280km/h? Then, possible luxury, safety and go-faster
option that you can imagine.
on the other hand it’s quite capable of
pottering around town in sheer comfort
or just plain although it never lets you forget its true Yet there was still room for a few
potential.
optional extras on the test car. The
manic? As the second largest SUV in the Multicontour front seats with climate
control are superbly comfortable but do
Mercedes range, the GLE is a very
an amazing job of holding you in place
substantial vehicle. As the runner-up when the inner cowboy takes over. The
in the SA Car of the Year in 2019, it Driving Assist Package Plus ups the
has a proven track record. We have governed maximum speed from 250km
previously tested both 300 and 400 to 280km, totally meaningless in reality
diesel versions and the 400 in particular but priceless when it comes to bragging
was definitely not lacking in power or rights.
performance. The 63s is a completely
different ball game though. It’s almost pointless to quote fuel
economy with a car of this level.
The V8 engine is a proper AMG Firstly, if driven with verve on a regular
creation. Hand built by a single man in basis, you had better have a fuel card
CLICK https://www.youtube.com/ the AMG factory, it blasts out 450kW with no limit. I tried to restrain myself
and 850Nm, delivered to all
as much as possible during this test
FOR VIDEO watch?v=fKZOd2fnwHs four wheels through the AMG although it’s impossible to pull off from
Speedshift 9-speed automatic a robot slowly in any mode. The on
transmission. Again, the transmission board computer showed 12.9l/100km
can be docile in normal driving or almost for my test period. This included
neck-snapping when in angry mode. our standard open road cruise to
Hartebeespoort.
The AMG steering wheel looks like a
standard Mercedes wheel until you The GLE63s is one of those cars that
notice the extra knobs near the bottom. makes no sense YET, it’s a car that is
Twist the knob on the right and you can incredibly desirable. At a standard price
change from Comfort to Sport, Sport+ of R2.9 million before extras I think I
and then Race mode. Twist the other need to go and sign a few Government
way and you see Slippery, Sand and tenders or invest in cryptocurrency before
Off-Road for the All-wheel drive system. I place my order.

Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 3 2021 43