Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 Beauty and the Beast

•Mark Musutu In last week’s Top Revs issue, we shared an experience on the best all-rounder Mercedes-Benz, the E Class. With the current SUV frenzy, we found it appropriate to share on the GLE which is simply the SUV version of last week’s E Class.

Our test got even better as our test car was the beastly AMG specification, the GLE 63s.

GL is no new name, the first Mercedes SUV was the G Wagon or Geländewagen. It was built for military purposes and is still in production. In the late 90s, Mercedes introduced a modern version of the G Wagon, the M class, which it has been known as until a few months ago when the GL label was re-introduced on all Mercedes SUVs.

The re-introduced GL label is certainly more appropriate for the new crop of Mercedes SUVs, so appropriate that it now makes the M label look awkward, though it was quite modern at the time.

The GL label is much more uniform and gives Benz SUVs a defined standing. (Anything else would have been a disaster to understand which Benz is which). The GL label goes well with the Mercedes-Benz design coherence and is now basing all their SUVs on their car line-up – A Class, C Class, E Class and GL Class.

The GL line-up includes: The GLA, GLC and GLE and it will be no surprise if we soon see an S Class-based GLS, as we already hear of a rival X7 BMW.

The GLE can be described as a unisex looking car, sweet in a sense, simple and not intimidating but with a feminine orientation. The AMG spec GLE 63 is another car altogether, both in form and in function. It’s one of the most macho cars you can find. At the sight of it, you will know it’s a beast – the air dams, grill and other design details. It looks as though it will take a bite of anything in its way or devour some tar. I am excited to compare it to the BMW X5 M spec, which is its sworn foe and most worthy contender.

As per Mercedes tradition, attention to detail is on point, with refinement in the smallest of functions. The interior is based on the same interior design theme as its siblings – aluminum strands, round retro vents and a wooden touch while the seats are clothed in Nappa leather upholstery.

I was caught up by the panoramic roof as I took a moment to savour and figure out what Mercedes were trying to do with our thoughts and feelings when they made this interior. Firstly, I could feel a sense of lightness in the cabin thanks to its airiness and surface texture. Secondly, I felt like I was in a high tech command centre.

The GLE 63s packs a host of features that include heated and ventilated seats, eight-inch nch display, Apple car play, Bluetooth, XM radio, Mbrace connect, three zone climate control, temperature cup holders and a worthy Bang and Olufsen sound system.

Starting the GLE 63 makes you feel like you have awakened a giant. You feel all innocence disappear instantly as it idles hot rod style, breathing through its four tailpipes. I was on the exterior when I first heard it come alive. I liken this sound to a warning from a rattle snake as it’s approached.

The GLE has the signature smooth Mercedes ride, it dashes and stops in a mind-blowing way while emphasizing its sporting character throughout. The GLE 63s rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,8 seconds making you wonder if you must drive it on the open road or a runway, and how appropriate to compare it to the X5 M because it has about the same statistics but not quite the same feel. The GLE 63s is in Lamborghini territory. We need not say more.

In the belly of the beast is a naturally aspirated 6,2 litre V8 Bi-turbo capable of 577hp with a displacement of

664 lb-foot of torque. The GLE 63s is arguably the most potent in its class, also thanks to its hyper sensitive seven-speed gear box.

You will feel most safe and secure in it because it’s an SUV and you will have peace of mind to know that its loaded with a host of safety aids that include: Surround view, park assist with park pilot, blind spot assist, lane keep assist, ABS brakes with brake assist or adaptive braking, attention assist (anti snooze assist), ESP stability, pre-safe collision mitigating system, 11 way airbags, active headlights and day running lights. Also worth noting is its smart key with a panic button that will alert authorities in case of danger.

The GLE 63s is an embodiment of Mercedes’ capabilities, a showcase of their meaner side, an accomplished machine with loads of talents, a terror to its competition, the BMW X5 M, the Range Rover SVR and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

The GLE 63s makes a statement that it will outpace them all – and why not have it in a way that only Mercedes can deliver?

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