Page 31 - Waterfall Issue 8 2021
P. 31

Test Review
        mERCEDEs AmG



        GLE63s 4mATiC+






        Super SUV, Hyper SUV or just plain manic?




                                                     By Alan Rosenmeyer
        H       ow do you describe a large,

                luxury family Suv that’s
                capable of sprinting from 0
                to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds
        and to a top speed of 280km/hour?
        Then, on the other hand it’s quite
        capable of pottering around town
        in sheer comfort although it never
        lets you forget its true potential.


        As the second-largest Suv in the
        Mercedes range, the GLE is a very
        substantial vehicle. As the runner-up
        in the SA Car of the Year in 2019, it
        has a proven track record. We have
        previously tested both 300 and
        400 diesel versions and the 400 in
        particular was definitely not lacking
        in power or performance. The 63s is a
        completely different ball game though.
                                            The two extra buttons on the left   It’s almost pointless to quote fuel
        The v8 engine is a proper AMG       are for the exhaust and suspension   economy with a car of this level.
        creation. Hand built by a single man in   settings. Race mode with performance   Firstly, if driven with verve on a regular
        the AMG factory, it blasts out 450kW   exhaust creates noise levels that must   basis, you had better have a fuel
        and 850Nm, delivered to all four    be rated as noise pollution!        card with no limit. I tried to restrain
        wheels through the AMG Speedshift                                       myself as much as possible during
        9-speed automatic transmission.     Obviously at this price level the GLE   this test although it’s impossible
        Again, the transmission can be docile   comes packed with almost every possible   to pull off from a robot slowly in
        in normal driving conditions or almost   luxury, safety and go-faster option that   any mode. The on board computer
        neck-snapping when in angry mode.   you can imagine. Yet there was still room   showed 12.9 l/100km for my test
                                            for a few optional extras on the test   period. This included our standard
        The AMG steering wheel looks like   car. The Multicontour front seats with   open road cruise to Hartebeespoort.
        a standard Mercedes wheel until     climate control are superbly comfortable
        you notice the extra knobs near the   but do an amazing job of holding   The GLE63s is one of those cars that
        bottom. Twist the knob on the right   you in place when the inner cowboy   makes no sense YET, it’s a car that is
        and you can change from Comfort     takes over. The Driving Assist Package   incredibly desirable. At a standard
        to Sport, Sport+ and then Race      Plus ups the governed maximum       price of R2.9 million before extras
        mode. Twist the other way and you   speed from 250km to 280km, totally   I think I need to go and sign a few
        see Slippery, Sand and Off-Road     meaningless in reality but priceless   Government tenders or invest in
        for the All-wheel drive system.     when it comes to bragging rights.   cryptocurrency before I place my order.

                                              Full test review: Bit.ly/mercGLE63



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