Mercedes-AMG 63 Coupe Gets Uprated V8 Mild Hybrid
Mercedes-AMG has extended its mild hybrid electrified powertrain to the new GLE 63 Coupé boasting up to 605bhp.
The beast sports the brand’s EQ Boost starter-alternator 48-volt hybrid system strapped to a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo gasoline engine culminating in up to 626ft-lbs of torque enough to claim a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 174mph. It combines a starter motor and an alternator in a single electric motor integrated between the engine and the transmission. The additional 20bhp of output plus 184ft-lbs of torque which can be called upon when needed for extra performance. The mild hybrid system includes boost, recuperate, load point shift and the restarting of the engine with the start/stop function.
Its AMG V8 engine works with the well-proven twin turbocharging, where the two exhaust-gas turbochargers are arranged between the cylinder banks. The advantages of the “hot inside V” are the compact engine design and the immediate response of the exhaust-gas turbochargers which are implemented using twin-scroll technology.
Its intelligent management system includes cylinder deactivation. In the partial-load range, cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated to reduce the fuel consumption to a claimed 24.56mpg (20.45mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 263g/kms. When the “Comfort” drive program is selected, the cylinder deactivation system is available in the wide engine speed range from 1,000rpm to 3,250 rpm. A special display in the instrument cluster indicates whether the cylinder deactivation system is in use and whether the engine is presently operating in four or eight-cylinder mode.
In the more powerful S variant, the eight-cylinder has active engine mounts. They resolve the conflicting aims of achieving as soft a connection as possible to the powertrain for high comfort, and as rigid a connection as possible for optimum driving dynamics, by adapting their rigidity to the respective driving conditions.
Tobias Moers, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-AMG, said: “Our new GLE 63 Coupé rounds off our attractive portfolio in this segment. It meets the highest expectations in terms of design and exclusivity as well as excellent driving dynamics and agility. Thus, our latest SUC is an outstanding example of Performance Luxury made by AMG. In addition to that, even our GLE Coupé disposes of a 48 volt on-board electrical system connected with the EQ Boost starter-alternator which makes us drive the electrification of our model series in a consistent way.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
