AMG Is Sending a Message And It Comes With Eight Cylinders
There was a period recently when AMG appeared to be moving away from the naturally aspirated and lightly turbocharged V8 setups that built its reputation. The C 63 switched to a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid. Conversations began about electrification replacing displacement. Some AMG enthusiasts were quietly concerned. The facelift of the Mercedes AMG GLS 63 and GLE 63 S is AMG’s answer to those concerns and it is a confident one. A new V8 engine. A motorsport-inspired crankshaft. A mild-hybrid system that adds efficiency without diluting character. These two large performance SUVs have been updated in all the ways that matter.
Mercedes AMG GLS 63, GLE 63 S Facelift: The New Engine M177 EVO and a Flat-Plane Crankshaft
The most significant change on both facelifted SUVs sits beneath the bonnet. The updated 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged M177 EVO V8 engine is the centrepiece of everything. Its headline addition is a motorsport-inspired flat-plane crankshaft a setup more commonly associated with racing engines and high-revving sports cars than large luxury SUVs. The flat-plane layout reduces rotating mass within the engine. It allows the V8 to rev more freely and respond more sharply to throttle input. The firing order has been revised alongside this change. Updated fuel injection, new intake and exhaust ports, a reworked camshaft and a revised turbocharger housing complete the internal changes.
On its own, the V8 produces 612hp. A 48V mild-hybrid starter-generator adds another 23hp during acceleration bringing the combined system output to 635hp. The mild-hybrid also contributes additional torque at low engine speeds, enables energy recuperation under deceleration and supports smoother engine restarts. AMG claims the new setup is more fuel efficient than the unit it replaces without any reduction in peak output.
Performance Numbers That Need No Explanation
The Mercedes AMG GLE 63 S covers 0-100kmph in 3.9 seconds. The GLS 63 does the same run in 4.2 seconds. Both come with AMG’s all-wheel-drive system as standard. Both have a top speed of 280kmph. These are not the numbers of large luxury SUVs. These are the numbers of performance cars wrapped in the body of vehicles capable of carrying seven occupants in genuine comfort. That combination remains one of the most compelling propositions in the premium automotive world. The facelift makes it sharper without changing what it fundamentally is.
Handling and Chassis Where the Updates Get Practical
The mechanical upgrades on the facelifted models extend well beyond the engine. The active ride control system has been revised to reduce body roll more effectively a meaningful improvement for vehicles of this size and weight when driven with any degree of enthusiasm. Front and rear driveshafts have been strengthened to handle the torque output that comes with 635hp.
The GLS 63 additionally receives a rear axle locking differential improving traction and cornering ability in situations where the standard AWD system reaches its limits. The updated active exhaust system can adjust its flap settings automatically, changing the engine note depending on the drive mode selected. That detail an exhaust that sounds different when the driver wants it to is the kind of engineering that AMG has always understood better than most.
AMG’s Broader Strategy The V8 Is Making a Comeback
This facelift is not an isolated product decision. It is part of a broader strategic shift at AMG. The brand is reportedly moving away from plug-in hybrid performance setups as was seen in the current C 63 and returning to V8 engines paired with mild-hybrid assistance. The upcoming update for the AMG C 63 is expected to bring back a V8, reversing the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid setup of the current generation. Even the non-AMG facelifted S 580 variant of the S-Class now uses the same M177 EVO engine. The message from AMG is becoming increasingly clear the V8 is not being retired. It is being evolved.
Meeting Emissions Standards Without Losing Character
One detail worth noting is the addition of a particulate filter as standard fitment across both facelifted models. This allows the V8 to meet the latest emissions regulations without requiring architectural changes to the powertrain. The flat-plane crankshaft and revised combustion parameters also contribute to improved fuel efficiency a meaningful consideration given the regulatory environment these vehicles operate in globally. AMG has managed to make the engine cleaner and more efficient while simultaneously making it more responsive. That is not a simple engineering task. It is a genuinely impressive outcome.
What This Means for India
Both the GLS 63 and GLE 63 S are sold in India through the official Mercedes-Benz network. The facelifted versions are expected to arrive in India in due course though a specific timeline has not been announced. The current models have a loyal buyer base in India’s premium SUV segment. The performance and efficiency improvements on the facelift combined with the V8’s return to a more motorsport-influenced specification should strengthen that appeal further when the updated versions eventually reach Indian showrooms.
Read more about: Mercedes change to PHEV in India
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