GLS63 - Affalterbach sledgehammer
To quote a famous movie line, "If you want to talk to people, you can't just tap them on the shoulder anymore; you have to hit them with a sledgehammer." That is exactly what the GLS63 does. The world is fast filling up with luxuriously equipped SUVs that can barely pull their own weight with expensive electric drivetrains. Along comes the GLS63 with its massive twin-turbo V8, which obliterates these sensibilities.
Related: How is the Mercedes-AMG GLS63 performance?
The GLS is a breath of fresh air in a world gone mad with emissions controls and speed limits. It makes a good case for the want, nay, need for heavy-hitting internal combustion-engined luxury SUVs. We spent a week and a considerable portion of our bank balance putting the GLS to the test.
Everything you need to know about the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 4Matic+
Styling
The GLS cuts an imposing figure draped in its Obsidian Black paintwork. It's a big vehicle that gets even bigger with the 23-inch -multispoke wheels, a R77 900 option on our test model. To round off the ensemble, our test unit was also fitted with the R20 300 optional AMG Night Pack, which deletes much of the chrome work, giving this unit a menacing overall appearance.
The Drive
The engineers at Afflaterbach have accomplished some serious magic here. The cabin is beautifully insulated from the outside world, bordering on anechoic chamber levels of silence until you push the start button and the engine roars into life with a throaty growl. Whether the sound is coming directly through the firewall or plumbed into the cabin is irrelevant, as the aural pleasure of the V8 is worth every penny.
It never fails to amaze me just how quick such a big vehicle can be. A prod of the accelerator will see the GLS gather up its bulk, put on its spike running shoes, and be gone in a puff of dust, passing bewildered sports cars in the process. Not only is it blistering quick in a straight line, but it can take corners much faster than its size and dimensions should allow. It is a phenomenal driving experience that only the AMG engineers could create.
Performance
Shoehorned into the GLS's engine bay is a 3.982-litre, bi-turbo V8 petrol engine that produces an eye-watering 466kW and 820Nm from its 48v hybrid-assisted drivetrain. This will see the GLS sprint from 0 to 100km in a blitzing 4.2 seconds and go on to a limited top speed of 280km/h. Power is sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed AMG speed shift transmission with silky smooth changes.
There is also an astounding array of electrical gadgets that control everything you will need to spend a great deal of time learning how to get the absolute maximum out of the vehicle. Still, once you do, you can dial in exactly what you need when you need it.
Space and Comfort
The interior of the GLS is as plush and luxurious as one would imagine, albeit with a sporty element. This particular model has received a few interior options, such as the Anthracite open-pore oak wood trim elements and Rear Seat Comfort Package Plus, which are R7 800 and R34 600 options, respectively, which elevate the interior trim and comfort levels. the Comfort package gives the rear seats heating and multiway adjustability and the centre-mounted detachable touchpad that controls the vehicle's features from the rear seat.
There is a cavernous amount of space inside the GLS, with rear-seated passengers getting ample leg, head, and shoulder room. The boot, with all three rows engaged, allows for 355l of space, which is expanded to a mammoth 2200l with all seats down.
Safety
The Mercedes AMG GLS63 received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating in 2021 but the new model has even more features so it's safe to assume that the new model will receive the same score, it is not just fast and luxurious but safe as well. The GLS63 has an exhaustive laundry list of features that include:
- 9 airbags (front, front-side, curtain, driver’s knee)
- ABS (Anti Lock Braking System)
- TSC (Traction and Stability Control)
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- 360-degree camera
- AMG Driver Alert and Assist Systems
- AMG Ride Contro
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and junction assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver attention monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane change assist
- Lane departure warning
- Trailer Manoeuvring Assist
- Evasive steering assist
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Front and rear p
- Parking sensors
- Pre-Safe system
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Evasive Steering Assist
- Speed Limit Assist
Fuel Consumption
All this does come at a price, though; AMG claims the GLS63 should return 13.5l/100km on the combined cycle; with much-subdued driving, one can get close at 14.8 L/100km, but any fiddling with the Sports+ button will see those numbers quickly drop into the 24l/100km. This means that if you're smart with your driving, you can get around 480km on the 90-litre fuel tank
Price
| Mercedes-AMG GLS63 4Matic+ | R 4 343 368 |
| As tested with options | R 4 491 968 |
*Mercedes AMG GLS63 is sold with a 2-year / Unlimted km warranty and a 5-year / 100 000km maintenance plan
The Verdict
The GLS63 is an impressive machine that never fails to delight and confuse. In a world constantly trying to downsize and greenify everything, the GLS stands loud and proud of its fossil fuel-burning roots. It doesn't shy away from what it is, an ostentatious brute that doesn't care what the world thinks. As long as vehicles like the GLS63 exist, the automotive world is in good hands and we can go to bed at night knowing that the monster isn't under our beds, it's in the garage!
