The V8 Is Back: 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and GLS 63 Make a Thunderous Statement
For a brief and unsettling moment, it looked like the era of the V8-powered luxury SUV was drawing to a close. Electrification targets, tightening emissions regulations, and the relentless push toward hybridized powertrains had many enthusiasts bracing for a future without that signature eight-cylinder rumble under the hood of their favorite Mercedes-AMG models. But Mercedes had other plans. With the unveiling of the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and AMG GLS 63, the iconic automaker has made one thing crystal clear: the V8 is not only alive — it is angrier and more potent than ever before.
Mercedes-AMG Doubles Down on Performance for 2027
Mercedes has handed the keys of its popular GLE and GLS lineups to its AMG division, and the results are exactly what performance SUV fans have been hoping for. Rather than downsizing displacement or softening the driving character in the name of efficiency trends, AMG engineers have leaned fully into what they do best: building machines that thrill. The 2027 AMG GLE 63 S and AMG GLS 63 represent the kind of no-compromise performance statement that the AMG badge has always promised — and for far too long seemed in danger of walking back.
To borrow a phrase from literary legend Mark Twain, the reports of the V8's death at Mercedes-Benz appear to have been greatly exaggerated. Not only does the V8 return for these two flagship AMG crossovers, but it does so in a form that pushes power outputs beyond anything these nameplates have seen before. That alone is reason enough for enthusiasts to pay close attention to what Mercedes is cooking up for 2027.
Why the Return of the V8 Matters So Much
It is difficult to overstate the cultural and mechanical significance of the V8 engine in the world of high-performance vehicles. For decades, eight cylinders arranged in a V configuration have been synonymous with a particular kind of automotive soul — one defined by linear power delivery, an unmistakable exhaust note, and a sense of occasion that smaller, more efficient engines simply cannot replicate in the same way.
When Mercedes-AMG began transitioning several of its models toward turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder powertrains — even if those were deeply capable units — a vocal segment of the enthusiast community mourned what they feared was the permanent departure of the V8. The concern was not just about horsepower numbers. It was about the identity of AMG itself. A brand built on bespoke hand-assembled V8 engines pivoting away from that formula felt, to many, like a fundamental shift in character.
The 2027 GLE 63 S and GLS 63 are Mercedes-AMG's answer to those concerns — a firm and resounding reaffirmation that the V8 still has a home in Stuttgart's most performance-focused vehicles.
What to Expect from the 2027 AMG GLE 63 S
The GLE has long served as one of Mercedes-Benz's most versatile and popular offerings, straddling the line between everyday family hauler and weekend performance vehicle with impressive grace. Under AMG's stewardship for 2027, the GLE 63 S takes that dual-purpose nature and sharpens it considerably. With the V8 engine reinstated and tuned to deliver more power than its predecessor, the GLE 63 S promises blistering acceleration that belies its crossover proportions.
Buyers can expect the full suite of AMG-specific tuning that transforms the GLE's already refined platform into something distinctly sharper and more driver-focused. This includes revised suspension calibration, AMG-specific steering tuning, performance braking systems, and the kind of interior and exterior visual enhancements that distinguish an AMG model from its standard GLE sibling at first glance.
The AMG GLS 63: Three Rows, Eight Cylinders, Zero Compromises
If the GLE 63 S is AMG's mid-size performance statement, the GLS 63 is its full-size exclamation point. The GLS serves a slightly different purpose in the Mercedes lineup — as a three-row, full-size SUV, it is expected to carry families, tackle road trips, and do so in considerable luxury. But AMG's involvement ensures that the GLS 63 never lets its practicality come at the expense of excitement.
The reintroduction of the V8 engine in the GLS 63 for 2027 means that this impressively large vehicle will now have power figures that push the boundaries of the segment. The combination of size, luxury, and genuine performance makes the AMG GLS 63 one of the most compelling all-around performance SUVs on the market. For buyers who need space for seven passengers but refuse to give up the visceral thrill of a high-output engine, the GLS 63 occupies an almost uniquely attractive position in the marketplace.
The Competitive Landscape for High-Performance V8 SUVs
Mercedes-AMG does not exist in a vacuum, of course. Rivals including BMW M, Porsche, and Lamborghini all compete in the ultra-performance SUV space. The decision to reinstate the V8 in both the GLE 63 S and GLS 63 is partly a product philosophy choice and partly a competitive one. As rivals continue to experiment with hybridized and turbocharged alternatives, Mercedes-AMG's V8 commitment gives these models a degree of differentiation that resonates strongly with a particular kind of buyer — one who has chosen sides and wants the unambiguous experience that only eight cylinders can provide.
A New Chapter for AMG's Performance SUV Legacy
The 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and AMG GLS 63 arrive at a pivotal moment in automotive history. As the industry navigates its complicated transition toward electrification, there remains a meaningful and passionate market for vehicles that embrace internal combustion performance without apology. These two AMG models are a declaration that Mercedes is listening to that market — and intends to serve it with everything it has.
With more power than ever, the legendary V8 engine, and the full weight of AMG's engineering expertise applied to two of Mercedes-Benz's most beloved SUV platforms, the 2027 GLE 63 S and GLS 63 represent some of the most exciting vehicles to emerge from Stuttgart in recent memory. For anyone who feared the V8 era was ending, consider this a very welcome reprieve.