With its sights firmly set on the likes of the Audi Q8, BMW X7 and Porsche Cayenne (and to a lesser extent the Bentley Bentayga and Roll Royce Cullinan), the all-new Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ is aiming to provide all you could ever want in a luxury SUV, with a healthy dose of performance to match.
The Affalterbach performance firm may be the headquarters of some of the lairiest machines ever to grace the tarmac but reports suggest that the new GLS 63 will retain its home in the U.S.A at the plant in Vance, Alabama. Nevertheless, this behemoth is set to stir the pot and prove that it is indeed the king of the hill.
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Mercedes-Benz GLS
Here are three things that you need to know about the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+.
1. Power reserves
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ is set to be powered by the revered 4.0-litre Bi-Turbo V8, the same power plant that we're seen in the AMG GT and other 63 models. In the GLS 63 it's set to produce 450 kW of power with 850 Nm torque on the engine alone. This will be augmented by a 48-volt electrical system with a starter-generator that will boost the power by 16 kW and 250 Nm for a total output of 466 kW and 1100 Nm torque.
Transferring the drive to the wheels is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed gearbox. This will see the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ do the 0 - 100 km/h sprint in approximately 4.1-seconds while on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 280 km/h.
2. Drivetrain
As the name suggests, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ will benefit from the latest 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system for impeccable handling and driving dynamics. While this system is not new, there's the old saying that goes; "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." In the GLS the system will be able to split the power from a full-rear-wheel-drive 0:100 for sportscar-like handling characteristics to an off-road-friendly 50:50 torque split so that you can still navigate a tricky situation.
The GLS 63 will benefit from AMG Active Ride Control air suspension with auto-levelling that will also see the chassis dropped by 10 mm when Dynamic profiles are selected and raised by 50 mm when needing to traverse rough terrain.
3. Creature comforts
The largest SUV offering is said to be the S-Class of SUVs, only with more seating. In fact, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ is a full 7-seater with three rows of seats. You will have the option of ordering a 6-seater arrangement with a Captains Chair setup for those that prefer to be driven, rather than drive.
The GLS 63 will also come with a full MBUX experience that comprises of two 12.3-inch digital displays, one for instrumentation and another touchscreen unit for infotainment. You will also be able to order it with the impressive Burmester Audio package for unrivalled audio reproduction.
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