Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S (W167)

The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S (W167) sits in a curious position in a 600-car catalogue: its 612 bhp places it 188th for power, putting it in the top 31% of the collection, yet its 0-100 km/h time ranks 267th. That contrast is central to understanding the car. It is not defined by a single headline figure, but by how several capable figures combine into a particular type of luxury SUV.

The clearest point of distinction is its configuration. A V8 with twin-turbocharging and AWD is a combination found on 42 of the 600 cars in the catalogue, while 86 cars use the broader category of twin-turbocharged V8 engines. The GLE 63 S joins that group with a 3,982 cc, 4.0-litre engine producing 850 Nm of torque, giving its performance numbers context rather than leaving them as isolated specifications. Its 3.8 second 0-100 km/h time and 280 km/h top speed place it within a catalogue where every fraction and figure has a wider reference point.

The car also occupies an interesting space when viewed through cost. At a used price of £90,000, it ranks 320th for price, meaning it is more expensive than 280 cars in the collection. Its cost per bhp is £147, a measure that connects its six-figure capability with the wider spread of the catalogue rather than treating performance alone as the deciding factor. Mercedes-AMG contributes 26 cars to the 600-car selection, and the GLE 63 S represents the marque with a V8-powered AWD SUV from Germany.

For a collector, the appeal of this 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE is the decision it represents. It chooses a 612 bhp SUV over the simpler route of adding another sports car, accepting the trade-off of a taller body style in exchange for a rare combination of V8 character, twin-turbocharged output and all-weather AWD capability. It does not occupy the garage as the fastest option available, nor the most expensive, but as a deliberate choice for a collector who wants this specific balance of numbers and form.