Photo: Auto Dynamics
Project Inferno is the name Auto Dynamics gave to this GLE 63 S Coupe, which features an extensively modified 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood. The upgrades brought forward by the Polish tuner translate to 336 km/h (209 mph) and zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.25 seconds, ludicrous numbers for a mid-size SUV that weighs so much.
From 577 PS and 760 Nm off the assembly line, this 63 S levels up to no fewer than 806 PS (795 horsepower) and 1,181 Nm (871 pound-feet) of torque. This makes Project Inferno more potent than the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, which is a lot by SUV standards even when compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Trackhawk flavor.
As far as the oily bits are concerned, the list of improvements starts with bigger turbochargers, a free-flowing exhaust system, and a remapped engine control unit. The 7G-Tronic automatic transmission has been beefed up as well considering how much torque the M157 develops in this application.
From the standpoint of exterior design, the most noticeable change comes in the guise of 23-inch Vossen wheels complemented by a suspension lowering module from Brabus. The flared wheel arches and more aggressive bumpers come from TopCar, making Project Inferno an interesting combination of the best the aftermarket has to offer.
Auto Dynamics hasn’t given pricing information, but don’t expect this fellow to come cheap. The list of modifications easily accounts for $30,000 if not $40,000, and the starting price for the GLE 63 S Coupe in the United States is $113,000 excluding destination charge.
Now that Mercedes-Benz has re-engineered the GLE from the ground up, the GLE Coupe will follow in 2019. In a similar fashion to the W167, the GLE Coupe will transition to an all-new platform (Modular High Architecture), mild hybridization for the inline-six engine option, and E-Active Body Control in combination with air suspension.
In all likelihood, the second generation will go on sale for the 2020 model year. Production, on the other hand, will continue at the Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama where the GLE is also manufactured.
As far as the oily bits are concerned, the list of improvements starts with bigger turbochargers, a free-flowing exhaust system, and a remapped engine control unit. The 7G-Tronic automatic transmission has been beefed up as well considering how much torque the M157 develops in this application.
From the standpoint of exterior design, the most noticeable change comes in the guise of 23-inch Vossen wheels complemented by a suspension lowering module from Brabus. The flared wheel arches and more aggressive bumpers come from TopCar, making Project Inferno an interesting combination of the best the aftermarket has to offer.
Auto Dynamics hasn’t given pricing information, but don’t expect this fellow to come cheap. The list of modifications easily accounts for $30,000 if not $40,000, and the starting price for the GLE 63 S Coupe in the United States is $113,000 excluding destination charge.
Now that Mercedes-Benz has re-engineered the GLE from the ground up, the GLE Coupe will follow in 2019. In a similar fashion to the W167, the GLE Coupe will transition to an all-new platform (Modular High Architecture), mild hybridization for the inline-six engine option, and E-Active Body Control in combination with air suspension.
In all likelihood, the second generation will go on sale for the 2020 model year. Production, on the other hand, will continue at the Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama where the GLE is also manufactured.
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