Latest news with #Affalterbach
TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
How much the Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ will set you back in SA
The Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is the German carmaker's latest performance offering to reach South Africa. Available exclusively as a saloon (other markets have the option of an estate), this Affalterbach missile is powered by a 330kW/560Nm 3.0 l six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired to a 120kW/480Nm e-motor integrated into the vehicle's nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission. Total system output is rated at 430kW and 750Nm worth of torque; figures good enough to propel the E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ saloon from 0-100km/h in 4.0 seconds and on to an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h. Specify the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package and you'll have access to the carmaker's Race Start launch control system, which momentarily unlocks an extra 20kW. When activated, 0.2 seconds is shaved from the 0-100km/h dash. The vehicle's maximum speed is also increased to 280km/h. Impressive straight-line performance aside, the E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ saloon offers a maximum 101km of pure electric driving range at speeds up to 140km/h courtesy of its 28.6kWh (21.22kWh usable) lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the boot floor. When plugged into a 60kW DC fast charger, the vehicle's battery can be brought from 10% to 80% charge in about 20 minutes. Maximum energy recuperation has been increased to 120kW, with three levels available using the rocker paddles on the steering wheel. To handle this extra power, Mercedes-AMG have given the E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ saloon a stiffer body, wider front track, larger brakes and rear-wheel steering. 19" alloy wheels are fitted as standard though customers can upgrade to more substantial 20" or 21" forged alloy wheels. Other technical highlights include a unique AMG Ride Control steel sprung suspension system with specially tuned two-valve adaptive adjustable damping. Drivers can also switch between three preset damper modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport+. Ensuring prodigious grip in all conditions is the AMG Performance 4Matic +all-wheel drive system. Featuring an electromechanically controlled clutch, it's designed to automatically vary the amount of torque distributed between the axles depending on the driving mode selected: Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Smoothness, Individual, Electric and Battery Hold. Standout exterior tweaks come in the shape of an illuminated AMG radiator grille, more pronounced front wheel arches, bigger air intakes to help keep under-bonnet temps in check, a prominent rear diffuser and a pair of double exhaust tailpipes. The interior benefits from a MBUX multimedia system offering AMG-specific displays and features, illuminated trim in grey open-pore ash wood, electrically adjustable AMG sports seats upholstered in synthetic leather and an AMG steering wheel stitched in Nappa leather. The Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ saloon is now available at dealerships and retails from R2,499,596. Pricing includes a five-year/100,000km service and maintenance plan.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes-AMG Unleashes Special Edition Flagship SUV Limited to 450 Examples
Mercedes-AMG Unleashes Special Edition Flagship SUV Limited to 450 Examples originally appeared on Autoblog. The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 already sits at the top of the Mercedes SUV food chain. The V8-powered monster commands an awesome $150,650 to start, with no shortage of ways to send that price tag even further into the stratosphere. But when you're already spending that kind of money, why not opt for something less than 500 people worldwide can claim access to? We can't really relate, but it seems Mercedes thinks there are at least a few hundred people who see it that way. Thus, Affalterbach introduced the 2026 AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article As opulent as it is long-named, the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition touts tons of details that separate it from the flock of GLS SUVs you may or may not see on your morning commute. Perhaps most obviously, it wears Manufaktur Cirrus Silver Magno paint, a hue apparently exclusive to the model. Red and black accents dot the otherwise almost subtle exterior, with massive 23-inch wheels bearing red accents along the rim and center caps, accenting the red-painted calipers. Other blacked-out accents come courtesy of the included AMG Night Package. While not exclusive to the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition, it goes a long way here with the special red accents. The tailpipes wear a dark chrome finish, and the roof rails are painted matte black. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition also benefits from a front splitter, air inlets, and wing mirrors painted glossy black. Inside, the red and black theme continues. Arguably, the prettiest highlight is the red-accented carbon fiber dash trim, exclusive to the Arctic Silver Edition. For upholstery, the special GLS 63 dons Carmine Red and Black Nappa leather. An AMG Performance steering wheel, Manufaktur black door sills with edition-specific AMG lettering, and ultra comfy deep-pile floor mats round out the ultra-special additions for the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition. In case you somehow forgot, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 gets motivation from a rowdy biturbo 4.0-liter V8 making a respectable 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, allowing the behemoth to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a Mercedes-estimated 4.1 seconds. Of course, in this arena, you gotta bring the big guns. Close competitors include the BMW ALPINA XB7, which manages 631 horsepower, and the Range Rover SV, which makes do with 606 horsepower. It's crowded at the top. Mercedes has made it a tradition not to release pricing on these special Manufaktur Edition cars, and the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition is no exception. One thing is for sure: it won't be cheap, as checking a few Manufaktur boxes on the regular SUV sends the MSRP deep into $170k territory. There is some comfort if you're in the market, however. It seems unlikely that the AMG Manufaktur model will topple the Maybach GLS 600, which starts at $178,450 and permanently occupies the highest rung of the GLS ladder. After all, we don't want any Maybach buyers thinking they're getting the cheap version. Mercedes-AMG Unleashes Special Edition Flagship SUV Limited to 450 Examples first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 8, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Auto Blog
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mercedes-AMG Unleashes Special Edition Flagship SUV Limited to 450 Examples
Tired of losing your six-figure, high-performance AMG SUV in the parking lot? Mercedes-AMG is happy to oblige An already exclusive super SUV goes VIP-only with a bevy of special features and a low production run The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 already sits at the top of the Mercedes SUV food chain. The V8-powered monster commands an awesome $150,650 to start, with no shortage of ways to send that price tag even further into the stratosphere. But when you're already spending that kind of money, why not opt for something less than 500 people worldwide can claim access to? We can't really relate, but it seems Mercedes thinks there are at least a few hundred people who see it that way. Thus, Affalterbach introduced the 2026 AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition. 0:08 / 0:09 Tesla sales in Europe drop yet again Watch More 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ MANUFAKTUR Arctic Silver Edition 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ MANUFAKTUR Arctic Silver Edition 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ MANUFAKTUR Arctic Silver Edition The special AMG GLS 63 is more than just a fresh coat of paint As opulent as it is long-named, the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition touts tons of details that separate it from the flock of GLS SUVs you may or may not see on your morning commute. Perhaps most obviously, it wears Manufaktur Cirrus Silver Magno paint, a hue apparently exclusive to the model. Red and black accents dot the otherwise almost subtle exterior, with massive 23-inch wheels bearing red accents along the rim and center caps, accenting the red-painted calipers. 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Edition — Source: Mercedes-AMG Other blacked-out accents come courtesy of the included AMG Night Package. While not exclusive to the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition, it goes a long way here with the special red accents. The tailpipes wear a dark chrome finish, and the roof rails are painted matte black. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition also benefits from a front splitter, air inlets, and wing mirrors painted glossy black. Inside, the red and black theme continues. Arguably, the prettiest highlight is the red-accented carbon fiber dash trim, exclusive to the Arctic Silver Edition. For upholstery, the special GLS 63 dons Carmine Red and Black Nappa leather. An AMG Performance steering wheel, Manufaktur black door sills with edition-specific AMG lettering, and ultra comfy deep-pile floor mats round out the ultra-special additions for the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Edition No changes to the GLS's V8 — but that's okay with us In case you somehow forgot, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 gets motivation from a rowdy biturbo 4.0-liter V8 making a respectable 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, allowing the behemoth to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a Mercedes-estimated 4.1 seconds. Of course, in this arena, you gotta bring the big guns. Close competitors include the BMW ALPINA XB7, which manages 631 horsepower, and the Range Rover SV, which makes do with 606 horsepower. It's crowded at the top. Final thoughts Mercedes has made it a tradition not to release pricing on these special Manufaktur Edition cars, and the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition is no exception. One thing is for sure: it won't be cheap, as checking a few Manufaktur boxes on the regular SUV sends the MSRP deep into $170k territory. There is some comfort if you're in the market, however. It seems unlikely that the AMG Manufaktur model will topple the Maybach GLS 600, which starts at $178,450 and permanently occupies the highest rung of the GLS ladder. After all, we don't want any Maybach buyers thinking they're getting the cheap version. About the Author Steven Paul View Profile
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Mercedes-AMG GT63 knocks Porsche 911 GT2 RS from its perch
600kW beast from Affalterbach clocks a new 0-100km/h record time of 2.76 seconds. A plan was hatched. A team of the best of the best from the AMG Driving Academy, three half-decent driver/journalists, and an invaluable backup crew were going to invade Knysna with the latest in high performance Mercedes-AMG toys to attack the Simola Hillclimb with one goal in mind. Bring home the standard production road car, 2025 King of the Hill, title. Nothing less than a win would do. And win they did, the fastest standard production road car up the hill this year was none other than AMG Driving Academy boss, Clint Weston, in the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe. But the team from Mercedes-Benz South Africa were not done. They were looking for more silverware for their trophy cabinet. One call later and the car that was fastest up the hill was on its way to Gerotek to see if it could become the fastest standard production road car The Citizen Motoring has ever tested in a straight line. Gunning for Porsche's crown To earn this title, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe, would have to better Porsche's 911 GT2 RS' record-breaking run of 2.85 seconds to 100km/h that was achieved in 2021. A quick technical refresher. The Porsche 911 GT2 RS weighs in at only 1 470kg, and produces a crazy 515kW and 750Nm from its 3.8-litre flat six, bi-turbo set-up. This means this out and out super car has a mental power-to-weight ratio of 350kW per ton. ALSO READ: Eight-cylinders return as Mercedes-AMG prices long awaited SL 63 Producing a combined 600kW of power and 1 420Nm of torque from its 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine that is coupled to an AMG Electric Drive Unit, the claimed 0-100km/h number for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe is listed as 2.8 seconds. And no Affalterbach series model has ever gone that quick before. Only one other car tested by our publication in over 25-years of road testing has gone under the three-second mark. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4-Door ran a time of 2.96 seconds. Ready to roll. Picture: Mark Jones Acid test for Mercedes-AMG GT63 Despite being down 20kW and 50Nm, the Coupe derivative has lost two doors and 185kg of weight over its four-door sibling. The team from Mercedes-Benz South Africa were confident their new car could get the job done. But the first issue to contend with is that this AMG GT 63 Coupe still comes off the scales an almost incomprehensible 725kg heavier than the GT2 RS. But talk and claims are cheap, it's what happens on the day that counts. Driving the car out to Gerotek left me in no doubt that this GT 63 S E Performance Coupe was the real deal and had a proper chance of bettering the 911 GT2 RS. But even though I have been doing this a very long time, there is no way I could off the cuff say that the Merc was going to be quicker than the Porsche. 2.85-seconds to 100km/h is seriously fast. With anticipation building, the Racelogic VBOX test equipment was loaded into the car and it was time to head down to the start line. ALSO READ: VIDEO: New Mercedes-AMG C63 pips BMW M3 on the drag strip Getting down to business Race Start activated, foot on the brake, mash the accelerator pedal, and let go. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe bolts off the line like its tail has just been stood on. Shrubbery, grass and tar merge into a blur as the speedo goes past 270km/h before I get on the carbon ceramic brakes at the 800m mark. Heart pounding, adrenalin rushing, the VBOX readout shows 2.86 seconds. We haven't done it. It goes a bit quiet, we know we will do more runs. But all these super high-performance cars get hot under the hood quickly, and the numbers can go the other way. Is it over? Back down to the start I go. Cut and paste the start procedure. Back on the brakes at the end. And as I roll into the pit area. It goes off like a cracker, we have a number of 2.84 seconds on the VBOX. It is done. The GT 63 S E Performance Coupe has just become the fastest standard production road car we have ever tested. Albeit by a whisker. But a whisker is all that is needed for the record books. ALSO READ: Learjet for the road Mercedes-AMG S63 shocks-up a luxury storm Point proven Obviously, we wanted to back this up, the Porsche did, so it was back down to the start again where things only got better as the tyres warmed up a little with all this winter cold around. A 2.82-second run was next, then a 2.78 and then 2.76. Were we going to see the records continue to tumble? There is a new boss in time. Picture: Mark Jones The short answer was no. The temps under the bonnet were now coming into play and the times started going back up. But I kid you not, the car did five runs in a row after this at 2.84-seconds. And that's when we decided we had proved our point. We were tempting fate by barrelling into the braking zone over and over again at 270km/h. So, there you have it, the GT 63 S E Performance Coupe is the fastest standard production we have tested. The Porsche 911 GT2 RS does come back at it as we head further down the long straight at Gerotek, and it remains a do-or-die battle right till the end, but there can only be one King. Mercedes-AMG GT 63 tests data
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 lands in South Africa
The latest Mercedes-AMG SL 63 has arrived in South Africa, slotting in between the SL 43 and the flagship SL 63 E Performance in the marque's 2+2-seater roadster line-up. With its distinctive long bonnet, aggressively raked windscreen, short rear deck and compact overhangs, the SL 63 cuts a commanding figure that oozes presence. Lightweight 20" alloy wheels come standard, while 21" rims are available as an option. While the German drop top's menacing front end sports the firm's aero-enhancing Airpanel active air control system, the rear is fitted with a retractable rear spoiler with five different angle settings designed to either optimise handling stability or reduce drag. As with the SL 43, the SL 63 features an electronically operated folding fabric roof, which opens or closes in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 60km/h. It's also 21kg lighter than the previous-generation metal vario-roof, contributing to a lower centre of gravity. Powering the SL 63 is a 4.0 l twin-turbocharged V8 engine pumping out 430kW and 800Nm of torque. Sent to all four paws via a variable 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system and AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission, Affalterbach's BMW M8 Convertible rival will scorch its way from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 315km/h. Complementing this straight-line shove is a capable chassis featuring a multi-link front axle with five links arranged within the rim. A similar design is found at the rear. Both ends of the SL 63 benefit from a newly developed AMG Active Ride Control suspension, while rear axle steering boosts low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability. Drivers can cycle through six AMG Dynamic Select drive modes — Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and Race — using either the centre console controls or the AMG steering wheel toggles. Each mode alters the behaviour of the powertrain, transmission, steering, suspension and exhaust. Inside, the SL 63 is generously equipped. Highlights include a 12.3" digital instrument cluster, an 11.9" MBUX infotainment display on the centre console and support for the brand's AMG Performance and Track Pace apps, which allow drivers to log lap and performance data. Standard luxury features include Nappa leather seats, carbon fibre interior trim, Airscarf neck warmers, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an AMG Performance multifunction steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep and steering assist. Pricing for the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 starts at R3,943,156, inclusive of a five-year/100,000km service and maintenance plan.
