Here’s one of the more shocking sights of the 2015 Detroit motor show: the new Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe.
It’s Daimler’s answer to the BMW X6 M… yes, an SUV that thinks it’s a coupe with ambitions for a hot Nurburgring laptime.
You have been warned.
Let’s decode that AMG GLE 63 Coupe name
Time for a quick history lesson, bearing in mind Mercedes’ recent rebadging exercise. The new GLE Coupe range, unveiled at the North American International Auto Show this week, means the following:
GLE The new name for the M-class range
63 This still means it’s the top-dog, twin-turbo AMG version
S It’s the upgraded, more powerful version
AMG Yep, it hails from Affalterbach, alright
Despite the 63 part of the badge, it does of course use AMG’s latest 5.5-litre V8, twin-turbocharged to develop a faintly ridiculous 569bhp.
Click here for a full explanation of how Mercedes’ new badging system works.
How fast is the new GLE63 Coupe?
This new coupe-cum-crossover is quicker than the majority of Porsches you’ll come across. Top speed may be limited to 155mph, but it’s the in-gear speed which will surprise many sports cars on European roads.
Your right foot should have no problem overcoming two tonnes of heavy metal: 561lb ft is smeared across a broad torque plateau, which you’ll feel as you pass 0-60mph in 4.2sec.
Expect to see the GLE63 Coupe launch in the US in late summer 2015. European sales won’t be far behind.