Mercedes didn't leave much room for improvement in the GLS 63. But
Mansory thinks it can improve it just the same. The German tuner's
latest aftermarket tuning program takes aim at the big three-row Benz, widening
its stance, fitting it with new shoes, upgrading its engine, and altogether
adjusting its attitude.
Most obvious is the body kit, which includes a new
front bumper with larger air intakes, lip spoiler, and integrated daytime
running lights. There's new side skirts, rear spoiler, and diffuser as well.
The hood's been replaced with a new design, and the fenders widened by an
inch at the front and an inch and a half at the back.
Those beefed-up wheel arches are filled by massive
23-inch wheels, dropped over an inch closer to the tarmac thanks to a lowering
module for the pneumatic suspension. There's a host of interior upgrades as
well, but the truly power hungry will be more interested in what's under the
hood.
Mansory has managed to boost the 5.5-liter
twin-turbo V8 from 577 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque to an enormous 830 hp and 848
lb-ft. The tuner isn't saying what that'll do to the GLS 63's already
impressive 4.9-second 0-62 time, but does
claim it'll raise the top speed by 45 km/h – which would take it up to the
equivalent of 183 miles per Autobahn-blasting hour.
Regardless of what you think of the visual
modifications, it's hard to argue with that kind of speed. The conspicuous lack
of any mention of a corresponding upgrade to the brakes, however, leaves us a
little concerned for those on board.
