SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 17, 2026 – Mercedes-AMG has rolled out the extensively updated 2027 AMG GLE 63 S and AMG GLS 63, a pair of high-performance SUVs built around a thoroughly reworked 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine now churning out 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Both models land at U.S. dealerships this fall, giving American buyers their first real crack at AMG's latest spin on eight-cylinder muscle stuffed into a daily-usable SUV body. For anyone who's followed AMG's V8 story over the years, this update matters because it proves the engine isn't fading quietly into an electrified future — it's adapting, loudly. New tech like the ISG 2.0 mild-hybrid system and AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL hint that AMG still believes performance and comfort don't have to cancel each other out.
A V8 Built To Last
At the center of both SUVs sits the new AMG M177 EVO, a heavily revised version of the engine that's powered AMG's biggest models for years. A new flat-plane crankshaft cuts rotating mass and sharpens throttle response, while a modified intake camshaft, reworked fuel injection and updated exhaust aftertreatment keep the unit legal in markets with increasingly strict emissions rules. Like its predecessor, the M177 EVO is still hand-assembled in Affalterbach under AMG's "one man, one engine" tradition — a detail that matters more than it might sound, since it's part of what keeps AMG's V8 feeling handcrafted rather than mass-produced. A handful of the headline upgrades stand out on their own:
- A new flat-plane crankshaft for noticeably crisper response
- ISG 2.0 mild-hybrid assist adding up to 23 hp and 151 lb-ft on top of the V8
- A standard particulate filter to meet tightened global emissions standards
- 0–60 mph in as little as 3.6 seconds for the GLE 63 S
The Sound Hasn't Gone Anywhere
AMG also rebuilt the exhaust system from scratch, and it shows in how the car can switch personalities. Standard exhaust valve control lets drivers dial the note from a low, civilized hum in Comfort mode to a considerably louder, more theatrical voice in Sport+. The valves react to whichever AMG DYNAMIC SELECT program is active, or simply to a button on the center console, which means the soundtrack is something a driver can shape on the fly rather than something baked in at the factory and left alone.
"Our V8 is a central component of our performance DNA and the ideal heart for the new GLE 63 S and GLS 63. For years, the V8 has stood for impressive performance and great popularity among our customers. With the new generation M177 EVO, we have fundamentally revised the power unit and secured its presence in our portfolio for the long term. The result is an engine that impresses with agile response, strong performance and a pronounced appetite for revs – while at the same time meeting increasingly demanding regulations worldwide."
A Face That Means Business
Visually, the redesigned front end is hard to miss. A new AMG-specific radiator grille, larger air intakes feeding the V8 and LED headlamps with an exclusive AMG light signature give both SUVs a sharper, more aggressive identity than before. Around back, twin tailpipes from the new exhaust system and a more pronounced diffuser carry that performance attitude through to the rear, so the cars look the part from every angle rather than just up front.
Comfort And Capability, Without Picking One
Standard AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension continuously adjusts damping to match the driving situation, firming up in Sport for control or softening in Comfort for long highway stretches. Switch to the Trail program and ride height rises by 2.2 inches for off-road work, with damping, AMG Active Ride Control and the 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system all adapting together. At highway speeds in Comfort mode, the SUV actually lowers itself by 0.4 inches above 75 mph to cut drag and steady the car — a small detail, but one that shows AMG engineered this for real-world driving, not just spec-sheet bragging rights.
Tighter Cornering, Smarter Power Delivery
AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL active roll stabilization uses electromechanical stabilizers on both axles, reading the road up to 1,000 times per second to keep body roll in check through corners. Paired with the standard, electronically controlled AMG locking rear differential, power gets distributed between the rear wheels with real precision — useful for hard cornering, but also for something as mundane as pulling out of a snowy driveway without drama. It's the kind of system most owners will never think about directly, yet will notice immediately if it weren't there.
Five Personalities, One SUV
AMG DYNAMIC SELECT still offers a full menu of drive programs. Comfort softens everything for relaxed daily driving, while Sport and Sport+ sharpen gear changes, add rev-matching on downshifts and tighten up steering feel for a more involved drive. Trail and Slippery are tuned specifically for low-grip surfaces, easing throttle response so the SUV doesn't get overwhelmed on snow or loose ground. Individual mode, predictably, lets owners mix and match settings to taste.
Wheels, Leather And A Lot Of Choices
Wheel options stretch up to 22 inches on the GLE 63 S, including a new forged cross-spoke design finished in Tech Gold, and up to 23 inches on the GLS 63 with two new multi-spoke patterns. Inside, the AMG Performance steering wheel comes in Nappa leather, microfiber or a carbon fiber blend, and buyers can choose from upholstery ranging from classic black to MANUFAKTUR Yacht Blue and Tartufo Brown. New MANUFAKTUR paint colors like Cirrus Silver Magno and Patagonia Red Metallic round out a genuinely deep personalization list, paired with the new MB.OS system displaying live torque distribution and G-force readouts on screen.
140 Years Of V8s, Still Going
Mercedes-Benz is marking 140 years since Carl Benz's original automobile patent with a global "140 Years. 140 Places" tour running through October 2026, and these two AMG SUVs arrive squarely inside that anniversary year. It's a fitting backdrop: a brand built on constant reinvention is still finding new life in an engine format plenty of competitors have already abandoned.
Quick Questions Answered
Q: When will the new AMG GLE 63 S and GLS 63 reach U.S. dealerships? A: Both models are scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealerships in fall 2026.
Q: How much power does the updated V8 produce? A: The new M177 EVO engine produces 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, with the ISG 2.0 mild-hybrid system adding up to 23 additional hp and 151 lb-ft.
Q: Are these SUVs electric or hybrid? A: Neither is a full EV. Both use a mild-hybrid 48-volt system paired with the V8, primarily to support throttle response, recuperation and the start/stop function.
Q: What's new about the suspension? A: Both models get standard AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension and AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL active roll stabilization, with a dedicated Trail mode for off-road ride height.
For full specs, configurator options and dealer availability, AMG fans can explore the new GLE 63 S directly at AMG.