By Sala Masindane

Today we live in a world where some automakers are building high-performance SUVs with enough power and torque to leave some super saloons and supercars in a cloud of dust and Mercedes-AMG’s new GLE 63 S is one such an SUV. We recently spent some time with the big daddy of the GLE line-up.

Imposing AMG looks

The GLE 63 S’s exterior design is easily identifiable by a large AMG grille with gapping air inlets that give it a commanding look. Its athletic appeal is bolstered by a set of black coated 22-inch wheels and squared-off quad exhaust outlets. Adding a dash of elegance to the German brute is the Selenite Grey body paint.

Luxurious AMG interior

Climbing inside the GLE 63 S, we are met by a luxurious cabin that’s dominated by soft touch materials and plenty of AMG lettering. Modern features come in the form of a dual 12.3-inch driver and infotainment displays with crisp graphics and AMG-specific menus, ambient lighting and the impressive Burmester Sound system. The interior is also comfortable and spacious thanks to heated and cooled supportive leather seats with white contrast stitching and massage functionality. Luggage capacity comes in at an impressive 655 litres.

Fire-breathing V8

At the heart of the Stuttgart beast is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine developing a whooping 450kW and 850Nm. Power is sent to all wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission resulting in a claimed 0-100km sprint of just 3.8 seconds.

The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S’s fire-breathing twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine carries the 2-tonne SUV well. The 22-inch alloy wheels contribute to a firm ride quality but this is not a deal-breaker. Despite its size and body shape, we were impressed by the potent SUV handling as it went through some bends like a sports sedan. The GLE 63 S’s party trick is its melodic sound which may have you fooled into thinking that the cabin is performance biased but it blends performance and comfort perfectly.

Overall, the eye-catching and ludicrously fast GLE 63 S 4Matic+ combines opulence without compromising daily performance. Pricing for the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic starts from a hefty R2,969,000.