Wednesday 24th July 2024

Manhart turns GLE 63 S into 800hp super-SUV

What a week for 800hp AMG - behold the GER 800, for when a V8 GLE just isn't enough

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Very adaptable, the AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Not only has it powered a host of cars very ably, from Mercedes super-saloons to Aston Martin SUVs, it has proven itself more than willing to accept more power. The hot-v makes more than 700hp in the DBX thanks to bigger turbos and an ECU rework; with a bit of help from some battery cells, it makes comfortably more than 800hp. Or, if your tastes are more traditional, that enormous peak figure can be reached without any hybrid assistance at all. Just bloody great turbos. 

Now, the GLE 63 S 4Matic+ - as this Manhart-tuned car once was - isn’t exactly an AMG brimming with traditional appeal, but the methods are easy to appreciate. The 4.0-litre gets mild hybrid assistance from the factory, which isn’t touched for this upgrade. Instead, the GER 800, as the GLE has been christened, has been treated to a ‘Manhart turbo upgrade’; a tad vague, though we’d assume they’re going to be bigger, more powerful blowers than standard.

With the electronics adjusted to take full advantage and a naughty (as in not TÜV approved) exhaust for the engine to breathe through, 800hp and 737lb ft is claimed. Even against a very powerful standard car, that’s another 188hp and 110lb ft. Manhart said it was ‘absolutely obligatory’ for the performance to be improved on anything it modified, even if AMG did represent a departure from its usual BMW-badged fare. Safe to say this will be just a bit quicker than stock. 

A carbon fibre widebody from TopCar Design, plus a 30mm drop on the air suspension, ensures the GER 800 won’t go unnoticed anywhere. Truth be told, there wasn’t any avoiding the standard car, even if you wanted to, and the Manhart car is even more attention-grabbing. Additionally, it gets 23-inch Concave One wheels (good luck finding front 285/35 ZR23s) in any colour desired and the Manhart graphics. Subtle it is not. Factor in something like €20,000 for the 800hp upgrade, because new turbos don’t come cheap. Don’t forget, however, that the coupe body isn’t mandatory - all that power in a normal GLE SUV like this could make the school run very silly indeed. 

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• Manhart shoehorns 405hp straight six into E30 M3
• 2024 Aston Martin DBX 707 | UK Review

[cerb4.5lee]

I'd be very happy in the 600bhp standard normal GLE 63S, so goodness knows what this one is like.

I definitely need to experience the Merc 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo engine at some stage(in any guise) for sure I reckon.

[wistec1]

Nope. I can't like this no matter which angle I view it from. The blue bottle fly colour just makes me want to swat it dead with a scrap yard magnet.

[Mercutio]

As soon as I spotted the wonderful absence of privacy glass, and the far better profile as a result, my heart sank and I knew this was going to be a LHD spec

Why oh why does almost every model from Mercedes in the UK have to have privacy glass as standard? To some of us it’s not “premium” at all, it’s an irritant, looks absurd. It’s why I’d rather buy a Cayenne S because at least I know I’d be able to spec it properly.

I know loads of folk will be on to say “clear glass is old man spec”, “I don’t want to live in a greenhouse”, and “my dogs love tinted glass” or whatever else, but it’s just a shame this became the default in the last two decades

[Taz73]

Each to their own, I don't mind tinted rear windows, helps keep the car cool, but I don't see why glass tint can't be specified, like so many other things now, it's either standard whether you want it or not or it's part of a pack of things you don't want.
I know it's different but back in 2015 when we bought my wife's mii, so many of the specs couldn't even have a pay for option to have electric adjustable and heated wing mirrors, yet it was standard on other models. AC was available, as was satnav etc. just make stuff available or deletable.
Regarding the car, not that keen except for the colour, I really like that, green is having a bit of a resurgence.

[anonymous-user]

Does it weigh less than a 1991 FSO Polonez?? If not, it's an outrage!!

[pycraft]

That's the thing with these hyper-powerful SUVs. I'd just want to drive it into a muddy field, floor the accelerator and see if the resulting mud plume is visible from orbit.

[Water Fairy]

Lol that glass is positively transparent compared to our X3!

[Twoshoe]

Looks like a slug.

[el romeral]

More pinstripes than an Al Capone suit. Must be rather impressive to drive though.

[smilo996]

As if the original could not be more pointless, this is even more pointless.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Saloon-type-SUVs = all beyond hideous.
Adding more power to it = still looks hideous.

[cerb4.5lee]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Saloon-type-SUVs = all beyond hideous.
Adding more power to it = still looks hideous.

It is weird, because I really like the original X6, however as time has gone on...I now much prefer the normal SUVs in comparison to the Coupe SUVs though. A lot of the Coupe SUVs just don't look right to my eyes.

[sidesauce]

el romeral said:

Must be rather impressive to drive though.

Reminded me of this (and this car has even more horsepower than the Manhart):-



That would be somewhat embarrassing in real life...

[Hereandthere]

Yes, as somebody else has mentioned , the lack of security glass is an absolute positive. I hate the look of cars that appear to be truncated by the darkened rear windows and find it strange that you can't order many without it in the UK. It does appear that the available options in the UK are far less than those available in Europe. Often you only have one choice of wheel, usually black.

[cerb4.5lee]

I'm surprised about how much sun protection glass upsets folk on here to be honest, because I've personally never had a problem with it.

[Julian Scott]

smilo996 said:

As if the original could not be more pointless, this is even more pointless.

Thank God you've posted, it had been almost 12 hours since the article was released and I'd not seen you post one of the two brainless quips you post on every single SUV thread going. I was so concerned you'd finally combusted after seeing one two many cars you irrationally hate.

[theicemario]

Chavtastic. No amount of clear glass or green paint can save a tank like this from looking anything other than utter gash.

[nismo48]

It's definitely upped the anti regarding performance and presence.
I guess why not, somebody will buy this and enjoy it.

[CH80]

It looks better than the OEM.

[Hairymonster]

Julian Scott said:

Thank God you've posted, it had been almost 12 hours since the article was released and I'd not seen you post one of the two brainless quips you post on every single SUV thread going. I was so concerned you'd finally combusted after seeing one two many cars you irrationally hate.

Do you deliberately set out to be offensive with every one of your posts? Are you only comfortable when you're insulting someone? Look - we know you know everything - true because you've told us in the past, but try suspending your ill-informed drivel once in a while and permit others to express an opinion before wading in with your ridiculous comments.

Try growing up a bit.