AMG refused to kill the V8 — and the new GLS 63 is the proof
Facelifted GLS 63 4Matic+ gets the M177 Evo with flat-plane crank, three giant screens and Superscreen — and yes, the twin-turbo V8 stays exactly where it should be.
In the age of electrification, this almost sounds like a statement: Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the updated GLS 63 4Matic+ — the largest and one of the most luxurious SUVs in the AMG lineup — and kept under the hood exactly what made people love it. Yes, the very same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is still there.
The facelift reads instantly from the outside. The headlights now feature the signature star graphic, the radiator grille is illuminated, and the old Monoblock wheels have been replaced by new 23-inch designs. At the rear — more stars: three elements per tail lamp, plus the central Mercedes-Benz badge. For those who want even more menace, there’s the Night II package — with it, the SUV looks borderline predatory.
And now the main part. Outside, the changes are cosmetic; under the hood, they’re fundamental. The V8 M177 gains the Evo suffix: revised intake camshaft, reworked injection system, a flat-plane crankshaft and a handful of other tweaks. The familiar 612 PS and 850 Nm are still there, but throttle response and the engine’s character are promised to feel different. A mild-hybrid starter-generator adds a short kick of 23 PS and 205 Nm. 0–100 km/h takes 4.2 seconds, top speed is electronically capped at 280 km/h. Not an EV — thank goodness.
Inside, the Superscreen now rules — three 12.3-inch displays stretched across the dashboard. And here’s another reason the GLS 63 stands apart in the AMG family: it’s not just a very fast toy. A third row of seats comes as standard, and order the captain’s chairs for row two and you get a proper six-seater. A family AMG with a V8 in 2026. Sounds like an anachronism — and that’s exactly why it works.
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet. Before the facelift, the base GLS 63 in Germany cost nearly 191,000 euros — after this update, the 200,000-euro mark no longer looks like fantasy.