Rolling with the Leviathan
Monsters and creatures of the night have long played a part in folklore the world over. In the western world monsters are used to scare small children and illicit the odd scream from a frightened movie goer. The Mercedes-AMG GLS63 can very fairly be called a monster of sorts. Its big, imposing and scary and often illicit's a scream from unsuspecting passengers.
Related: Mercedes-AMG Performance SUV launch
The GLS63 has earned its comparison to the fabled leviathan due to its large mass and menacing presence. It springs to life with the prod of the throttle and roars down the road, turning heads and causing toddlers to clutch onto their mothers in the process. This monster isnt under your bed..... its in your garage!
Styling
The Mercedes-AMG GLS63 cuts an imposing figure on the street. Coated in Brilliant Blue metallic paintwork and sporting massive 23 inch AMG T spoke alloy wheels, it looks all the part of an all conquering brute. The aggressive nature of the GLS63 is topped off with the legendary vertical slat grille, carbon fibre AMG trim and the AMG sports exhaust system.
The Drive
A press of the start button brings the beast to life with a low rumble, with the drive mode set to comfort, the GLS will growl along sedately, wafting along in ultra comfort. Flicking the selector switch over into Sports+ mode, the suspension firms up, the exhaust opens and the fury of the deep is unleashed. The rear end hunkers down and with the nose pointed towards the horizon, the 63 leaps forward, hunting for its next victim.
Performance
Powered by the monstrous AMG 4l bi-turbo, V8, petrol engine, the GLS63 cranks out 450kW and 850Nm and powers all four wheels through the super slick 9 speed AMG Speedshift transmission. the sprint to 100km is done in an eye watering 4.5 seconds and the bulk of the GLS will go on to an electronically limited 280km/h top speed. We had the opportunity to test this fact at the launch activity at Gerotek and it is only after reaching this speed that you realise the sheer insanity of what this vehicle is capable of.
Space and Comfort
When not out scaring pedestrians, the GLS63 can be found ferrying its occupants in a luxurious cocoon of plush leather and high tech. The interior is wrapped in a pliable Machiato beige and black leather with AMG carbon fibre and aluminium trim. LED mood lighting sets the tone for which ever mode you set the vehicle in, blue and yellow for Eco and Comfort mode and red for Sport and Sport+. the interior is incredibly roomy with space for a 3rd row of seating and boot space of 255l expandable to 2400 when the seats are lowered.
Safety
Monsters and safety generally don't go together but within the GLS63 you are going to be the safest you can be. You get a 5 star Euro NCAP rating from the 9 airbags, ABS, TSC, Tyre pressure monitoring, 360 degree camera, AMG Driver Alert and Assist Systems and AMG Ride Control.
Fuel Consumption
Mercedes claims combined cycle figures of 11.9l / 100km. This is a big vehicle with a big engine and our combined testing returned closer to 18l /100km. The 90l fuel tank equates to roughly 500km per tank.
Price
The Mercedes-AMG GLS63 4Matic+ retails for R 3 178 120 with our test unit being fitted with R 408 400 of extras, This makes for an as tested price of R 3 586 520. The GLS is sold with a 2 Year / Unlimited km warranty and a 5 Year / 100 000km maintenance plan.
Verdict
The Mercedes-AMG GLS63 4Matic+ is not like the Universal movie monsters such as Frankenstein or Dracula but rather is more in line with the Ancient ones (check out H.P Lovecraft) such as Chtulu, Its big and powerful and will crush all before it. If you happen to have a few million laying about and want a vehicle that decimates all in total comfort, then the GLS63 is the only way to go.
