The GLE 63 Coupé takes on BMW’s X6 M

Previously, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé would’ve been called the Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG Coupé. The change in naming style is meant to better reflect AMG’s sub-brand status, but it still denotes that this newcomer is the high-performance member of the GLE five-door fastback SUV range.

Oh, and it mustn’t be confused with the GLE 450 AMG Coupé, because that model merely represents the more mainstream ‘AMG Sport’ trim grade.

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4Matic (2016) Front Side

Regardless of what the GLE 63 Coupé is known as, its obvious purpose is to compete against the BMW X6 M. After all, both vehicles feature a turbocharged V8 petrol engine, an automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, upgraded chassis components and very similar looks.

One major difference is that Mercedes-AMG’s offering will be available in normal and S-Model guises. However why anybody would want the former is a mystery, considering the latter boasts extra power, numerous cosmetic tweaks and 22” alloy wheels instead of the usual 21” items.

As if to illustrate the pointlessness of such a strategy, it has already been confirmed that only the S-Model is coming to the UK.

Looking at the customary performance benchmarks, the GLE 63 S Coupé merely matches its BMW rival despite having a slightly higher output figure. In terms of efficiency, the X6 M wins by a narrow margin.

How the two adversaries compare on price remains to be seen, though.

Model Mercedes-AMG
GLE 63 Coupé
4Matic 		Mercedes-AMG
GLE 63 S Coupé
4Matic 		BMW
X6 M
UK OTR price N/A TBC £93,070
Engine 5.5 litre V8
biturbo petrol 		4.4 litre V8
biturbo petrol
Transmission 7-speed automatic 8-speed automatic
Power 549 bhp
(410 kW / 557 PS) 		576 bhp
(430 kW / 585 PS) 		567 bhp
(423 kW / 575 PS)
Torque 700 Nm
(516 lb/ft) 		760 Nm
(560 lb/ft) 		750 Nm
(553 lb/ft)
0-62 mph
(100 km/h) 		4.3 secs 4.2 secs 4.2 secs
Top speed 155 mph
(250 km/h)* 		155 mph
(250 km/h)* 		155 mph
(250 km/h)*
Fuel economy** 23.7 mpg
(11.9 l/100 km) 		25.5 mpg
(11.1 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 279 g/km 258 g/km
* Electronically limited.
** NEDC combined.

UK deliveries of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupé are due to begin in June.

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4Matic (2016) InteriorMercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4Matic (2016) Rear Side

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4Matic (2016) SideMercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4Matic (2016) Dashboard

Related posts:
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé unveiled
2015 BMW X5 M and X6 M first view
Second-generation BMW X6 revealed

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