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Mercedes-AMG Is Still Betting On The V8 In Its Biggest Performance SUVs
Mercedes-AMG has updated the GLE 63 S and GLS 63, but the real story is not the facelift itself. The most important takeaway is that AMG is still fully committed to the V8 in two of its largest and most expensive performance SUVs, at a time when much of the industry is moving toward downsized engines, plug-in hybrids or full electrification.
That decision says a lot about where Mercedes-AMG still sees value in the luxury performance market, especially in regions like the United States, where high-output SUVs continue to play a major role in brand image, profitability and customer demand.
Mercedes-AMG has updated the GLE 63 S and GLS 63, but the bigger story is the brand’s renewed commitment to the V8.
AMG’s V8 Isn’t Going Quietly
The updated GLE 63 S 4Matic+ and GLS 63 4Matic+ continue to rely on AMG’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, now evolved to meet new technical and emissions demands without abandoning the character that made these models so important in the first place.
Output remains at 612 horsepower and 850 Nm of torque, while the powertrain also benefits from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that can provide an additional boost. But the more interesting part lies beneath the headline numbers. AMG has revised the engine with a new flat-plane crankshaft layout, optimized injection, updated intake and exhaust routing, a revised turbocharger setup and further internal changes designed to sharpen response while ensuring the engine remains viable in a far more demanding regulatory environment.
In other words, Mercedes-AMG is not just keeping the V8 alive. It is actively reengineering it to survive longer.
The new AMG SUVs preserve the 4.0-liter V8 formula at a time when many rivals are moving in a different direction.
Why This Matters In The U.S. Luxury Market
For the American market, this move makes perfect sense.
The U.S. remains one of the strongest homes for high-performance luxury SUVs, particularly those that combine prestige, everyday usability and oversized power figures. Models like the GLE 63 S and GLS 63 are not niche experiments in this context; they are halo products that reinforce AMG’s identity and help Mercedes maintain its relevance among buyers who still want the sound, response and presence of a V8.
That is what makes these updates more significant than a routine model-year refresh. AMG is effectively signaling that there is still real business value in building big, fast, combustion-powered SUVs even as electrification reshapes the premium landscape.
More Than Straight-Line Speed
The new GLE 63 S and GLS 63 are not only about engine output. AMG has also doubled down on the chassis technology needed to make vehicles of this size feel worthy of the badge.
Adaptive air suspension, active roll stabilization, electronic rear differential control and multiple drive programs remain central to the package, allowing the SUVs to shift between long-distance comfort and more aggressive dynamic behavior. The suspension can also raise ride height in off-road settings or lower the vehicle in sportier modes, reinforcing the all-rounder philosophy that has helped define AMG’s large SUVs.
AMG continues to pair traditional V8 muscle with an increasingly digital and configurable luxury cabin.
This balance is a major part of the appeal. Buyers are not just paying for power. They are paying for the ability to combine family-duty practicality, high-end luxury and serious performance in one package.
AMG Is Defending A Formula That Still Sells
There is a broader message behind these two SUVs.
While the industry continues to push toward electrification, Mercedes-AMG is making it clear that it does not intend to abandon every traditional performance formula overnight. In the case of the GLE 63 S and GLS 63, the V8 is still seen as a core part of the product experience, not an outdated relic to be phased out at the first opportunity.
That approach may prove especially important in a market where some customers are still not ready to trade the emotional appeal of a high-performance combustion engine for a quieter, more digital alternative.
Mercedes-AMG is using the updated GLE and GLS 63 to show that the V8 still has a place in the future of performance SUVs.
The refreshed Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and GLS 63 are therefore about more than design tweaks and updated equipment. They are a statement of intent. AMG knows where the market is heading, but it also knows that in the world of premium performance SUVs, the V8 still matters — especially when the brand can continue refining it without giving up the speed, sound and presence that made it iconic in the first place.
Toyota has recalled more than 500,000 Camry sedans because the 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster can remain blank, causing the speedometer and warning indicators to stop working.
Toyota has announced a major Toyota Camry recall affecting 508,000 model-year 2025 and 2026 sedans in the United States. The problem involves certain 7.0-inch digital instrument clusters that can remain completely blank when the vehicle is started.
A dark instrument panel is more than an inconvenience. Drivers may lose access to the speedometer, warning lights, and turn signal indicators. Toyota says the issue requires a dealer-installed software update.
Which Toyota Camry Models Are Included?
The recall applies only to 2025 and 2026 Toyota Camry models equipped with the 7.0-inch digital combination meter.
Affected trims include:
- Camry LE
- Camry SE
- Camry Nightshade
The XLE and XSE trims are not included because they use a different 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Toyota has recalled more than 500,000 Camry sedans because the 7.0-inch instrument cluster can remain blank.
Toyota split the campaign by trim level because only vehicles with the smaller display are affected.
What Happens When the Display Goes Blank?
On affected vehicles, the instrument cluster may fail to activate when the car is turned on. When that happens, the screen remains black and does not display critical driving information.
A blank display can affect:
Audible warning chimes
Vehicle speed
Warning lights
Turn signal confirmation
Hazard lamp status
The recall affects Camry models equipped with the 7.0-inch digital combination meter.
Losing these functions can make it more difficult for drivers to monitor the vehicle and respond to certain driving situations.
Toyota Will Update the Software
Toyota has confirmed that the fix is a software update for the 7.0-inch combination meter.
The update must be performed by a Toyota dealer and will be provided free of charge. Unlike some previous software campaigns, this recall cannot be completed through an over-the-air update.
Toyota dealers will perform a software update free of charge to correct the instrument cluster issue.
Owners of affected vehicles will need to schedule a dealership visit to have the instrument cluster reprogrammed.
When Will Owners Be Notified?
Toyota expects to begin mailing recall notification letters by early October 2026.
However, owners do not have to wait for a letter. They can check whether their vehicle is included by entering the VIN in Toyota’s recall lookup system or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database.
Why This Recall Matters
This is not the first time Toyota has dealt with instrument cluster display issues. The company has issued several recall campaigns involving blank digital displays on Toyota and Lexus models over the past year.
For affected Camry owners, the solution is straightforward, but it is important to address the problem promptly. A functioning instrument cluster is essential for safe driving, and the software update is the only official remedy for this Toyota Camry recall.
Ford is reportedly developing a new entry-level SUV that could start around $25,000 and offer both hybrid and gasoline powertrains by 2029.
Ford is reportedly working on a new entry-level SUV priced around $25,000 that could become the most affordable vehicle in its lineup by the end of the decade. The model was reportedly shown to dealers during a recent private event in Las Vegas, where executives presented early design mockups of the upcoming crossover.
The project remains in the early stages of development, but it appears to be part of Ford’s broader strategy to expand its range of affordable vehicles.
Ford reportedly showed dealers early mockups of a new entry-level SUV expected to arrive by 2029.
According to reports, dealers compared the vehicle to the first-generation Ford Escape, describing it as boxy and wide with compact proportions.
The new SUV is expected to sit below the Ford Maverick, which is currently the brand’s least expensive model.
Hybrid and gasoline versions are planned
Unlike the upcoming Ford Fathom electric pickup, the new SUV is not expected to use Ford’s Universal EV platform.
The upcoming SUV is expected to offer both hybrid and gasoline powertrains.
Instead, it will reportedly be available with both hybrid and non-hybrid powertrains, allowing Ford to target a broader range of buyers.
The expected price of around $25,000 would place it directly against affordable subcompact SUVs such as the Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos.
That positioning would give Ford a stronger entry-level offering in one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. market.
Production could begin in 2029
The design shown to dealers was reportedly only a preliminary concept, meaning the final production model could change significantly before launch.
The production version could be built in Mexico and become Ford’s most affordable model.
Reports indicate that a new hybrid crossover is scheduled to enter production in 2029 at Ford’s Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico, and that model could be the same vehicle presented during the dealer event.
If the project moves forward as expected, the Ford $25,000 SUV would become one of the brand’s most important new products, giving buyers a more affordable alternative to larger crossovers and helping Ford compete more aggressively in the entry-level SUV segment.
Mercedes-AMG has previewed its upcoming electric performance SUV, which is expected to deliver more than 1,000 horsepower and share technology with the new AMG GT 4-Door EV.
Mercedes-AMG has released the first teaser images of its upcoming electric performance SUV, giving enthusiasts a preview of what could become one of the brand’s most powerful production vehicles.
The new model is expected to share its design philosophy and powertrain technology with the recently revealed AMG GT 4-Door EV, which produces up to 1,153 horsepower.
Mercedes-AMG has previewed its upcoming electric performance SUV with styling inspired by the new GT 4-Door EV.
Although the SUV remains hidden under a black cover, several design details are already visible. The front lighting appears to feature Mercedes-AMG’s new three-pointed star LED signature, while the rear lights also incorporate illuminated star-shaped graphics similar to those used on the GT 4-Door EV.
The overall proportions suggest a high-performance SUV with wide fenders, a low roofline and a more aggressive stance than current AMG utility models.
AMG GT 4-Door technology is expected underneath
Mercedes-AMG has not confirmed technical specifications yet, but the SUV is widely expected to use the same dedicated electric performance platform as the AMG GT 4-Door EV.
The electric SUV is expected to share its platform and performance technology with the AMG GT 4-Door EV.
That would likely mean a tri-motor powertrain producing up to 1,153 horsepower in its highest-performance version, with lower-output variants also expected to join the lineup.
The GT 4-Door EV also uses a 106-kWh battery pack, and the SUV is expected to offer a driving range of around 300 miles depending on the final configuration.
A new chapter for AMG performance
The upcoming SUV represents another major step in Mercedes-AMG’s transition toward high-performance electric vehicles.
Mercedes-AMG is expanding its next-generation electric performance lineup with a dedicated high-performance SUV.
The company has made it clear that future AMG EVs will focus not only on acceleration, but also on handling, thermal performance and repeatable high-output capability.
The Mercedes-AMG electric SUV is expected to be fully revealed before the end of the year, with sales likely beginning during 2027.
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