2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe Debuts With 603 HP And Slicker Shape

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe arrives to give performance crossover buyers a sleeker alternative to the boxier Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. The new variant of the coupe-inspired crossover packs the brand's familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with extra help from the EQ Boost 48-volt starter-generator. This setup offers 603 horsepower (450 kilowatts) and 627 pound-feet (850 Newton-meters) of torque, plus 21 hp (16 kW) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) from the EQ Boost system. The power runs through a nine-speed automatic, and there's all-wheel drive with an electronically controlled locking rear differential. The GLE 63 S Coupe can sprint to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) in 3.7 seconds and to an electronically limited top speed of 174 mph (280 kph).

The performance crossover should be comfortable on the road thanks to a standard air suspension with adaptive damping and active roll stabilization. Depending on the vehicle speed and driving mode, the tech can automatically lift or drop the ride height.

The easiest way to identify the GLE 63 S Coupe is that it uses AMG's Panamericana grille with an array of vertical slats in grille. There's also a revised lower fascia with black intakes and a thin strip of chrome trim around the outside. At the back, there's a black bumper with four trapezoidal exhausts – two on each side – below it and a diffuser between the pipes. The crossover rides on a set of 22-inch wheels with a black finish and V-shaped spokes. The standard brakes measure 15.7 inches in front and 14.6 inches at the back, and ceramic stoppers are an option.

Inside, the seats get Nappa leather upholstery, and carbon fiber trim adorns the cabin to provide a sporty aesthetic. A revised center console adds the controls for systems like the stability control, manual transmission mode, and suspension settings. The MBUX infotainment system gains special displays to match the sporty model, a g-meter, stopwatch, lap timer, and the ability to monitor horsepower output, torque, engine oil temperature, and transmission oil temperature.

Mercedes' announcement of the GLE 63 S Coupe doesn't mention when sales begin in the United States or offer any information on the price.