New AMG 603- hp engine fits fine in Mercedes
AMG has done it again.
The performance division for Mercedes- Benz has used its cuttingedge technology to transform the GLE’s “dawdling” 427 horsepower into an acceleration beast abreast 603 horses.
The 2021 Mercedes AMG GLE63 S is among the most powerful of SUVs; it will run 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds.
It’s big and heavy, 5,600 pounds, yet shows smoothness in the instant shifts of its 9- speed automatic transmission and is prepared with 4Matic for snowtime slowdowns.
The 9- speed tranny is new, as is the 4.0- liter, biturbo V- 8 with EQ boost, generating 603 horsepower and
627 lb.- ft. of torque. The 4.0 V- 8 replaces last year’s twin- turbo,
5.5- liter V- 8.
The EQ boost comes from an electric motor/ generator between the engine and transmission, producing 21 horsepower and 184 lb.- ft. of torque. Powering the 48- volt electrical system, EQ also adds power on takeoff. The motor, too, smooths the automatic resumption for the stop/ start system.
The special tunings by the AMG boys aren’t fully dominant, there are other reduced- speed occasions to enjoy the comforts and amenities, including nappa leather seats.
Jan and I earlier this week spent 50 minutes getting the Benz
15 miles through twisty Boulder Canyon to Nederland with traffic stoppages for road work. Parked among long lines of cars and trucks heading up to Nederland or down to Boulder, the Mercedes GLE is an aesthetic standout, from its huge radiator- type grille, along wheel arches enhancing its muscular bodyside and to the quad exhausts at the rear.
With snow still lining the sides of the roadways in places, the GLE handled the curves and climbs much like a lighter vehicle. The Mercedes is safer with huge
16- inch front brake discs, vented and cross- drilled, large, red calipers, and 14.6- inch discs at the rear.
At one stretch of highway on the way home from Nederland to Lyons, I was impressed with control at hand under the lane- departure guidance. Each Mercedes AMG engine is hand- built; the review model I drove was signed by Michael Biltler. Mercedes- Benz, BMW, Audi and Porsche are proud of their German heritage in building of fine automobiles.
The pride is spread a bit in today’s world reach; the AMG GLE is built in Vance, Ala., and rides on tires carrying the Yokohama brand name. Wheelbase of the sizable GLE is 117.9 inches; its overall length of 195 inches is 10 inches shorter than the grand GLS. Cargo volume in the GLE is 33 cubic feet.
The GLE63 sport ute’s fuel mileage estimate is 15/ 19 miles per gallon; my tests resulted in 18.2 mpg. Finding fault with the comfortably powerful Mercedes possibly starts with that relatively low fuel reading and perhaps ends with its price tag. The AMG additions raised sticker price to$ 131,880. Some of the major hikes came from 22- inch AMG cross- spoke wheels at $ 2,750, a safety enhancement of steering assist, emergency stop assist, traffic sign readings for $ 1,950, a carbon- fiber engine cover for $ 1,650 and rapid- heating front seats and heated armrests for $ 1,050. Contact Bud Wells at budwellscars@ comcast. net