The 603-HP Mercedes GLE 63 Coupe Is Coming

Jan. 12, 2019 7:50 AM ET by Jared Rosenholtz Spy Shots / 5 Comments

But will this generation still sport controversial looks?

Ever since BMW created the segment with the X6, people have been torn on SUV Coupes. The idea itself is rather silly - a more expensive SUV with coupe-like styling and compromised practicality. Still, this hasn't stopped people from buying them and Mercedes from entering the segment with two SUV Coupes of its own. While the standard GLE SUV has already been revealed, we have only seen spy shots of the Coupe model.

Along with the more pedestrian GLE models, there will also be hardcore AMG and AMG S versions. We have already seen spy shots of the standard GLE 63 AMG but new spy shots give us our first glimpse of the GLE 63 Coupe.

The GLE 63 Coupe was spotted at a lunch stop while performing some winter testing, so the shots are up close and personal with the new SUV. Although the body is heavily camouflaged, we can get a good idea of the car's styling elements. For example, the GLE 63 Coupe will use the Panamericana grille, which is shared on other AMG models like the S63 and AMG GT. Compared to a standard GLE Coupe, the AMG version sports larger air intakes, wider fenders and side sills, and more powerful brakes.

The hood is also more sculptured and features a power dome. Under it will sit Mercedes' 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 563 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque in its standard guise and 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque in the more powerful S guise. Like the E63, the US may only receive the more powerful S model and both will send power to all-wheel-drive through a nine-speed automatic.

If the GLE 63 Coupe is anything like its E-Class sibling, it will feature a hidden 'Drift Mode,' which turns off the traction control and disables the front wheels, creating a tail-happy rear-wheel-drive muscle car. Around back, the GLE Coupe will continue to polarize opinions. The Coupe will continue to use an egg-shaped design, though the quad exhaust pipes of the AMG model should help distract any critics of the design.

The 603-HP Mercedes GLE 63 Coupe Is Coming

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The 603-HP Mercedes GLE 63 Coupe Is Coming

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