WASHINGTON: If you’re crazy enough to buy a vehicle like the BMW X6, or its new GLE Coupé rival from Mercedes-Benz, then you might as well go for the fastest version.
On that tyre-shredding note, Mercedes has just fired the final ammunition in its X6 attack by revealing the GLE 63 S Coupé at the Detroit Motor Show.
Fire-power comes in the form of AMG’s 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, rated at 430kW and 760Nm to narrowly out-power the 423kW/750Nm X6 M. It matches the latter with a 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz, which also says it boasts “exemplary fuel consumption values.” Yeah right.
If the GLE 63 S Coupé is a tad too wild for you, Mercedes also offers a tamer 410kW/700Nm version of the same engine.
In both cases, the urge is shoved through all four wheels via a seven-speed Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic gearbox with five modes, including an ‘M’ function that allows complete manual control and double-declutching. In keeping with this vehicle’s hooliganic appeal, the 4Matic all-wheel drive system directs 60 percent of the drive power to the back wheels.
Aiming to keep it all as tidy as possible is an AMG Ride Control sports air suspension system with active roll stabilisation and ESP with Dynamic Cornering Assist. The steering and brakes are also an in-house AMG affair and the sporty package is rounded off with a meaty exterior styling package and 22-inch alloys.
