Page 31 - Waterfall Issue 8 2021

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

Waterfall Issue 8 2021 29