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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.
Volvo may reintroduce sedans and wagons to the U.S. with new all-electric models expected to arrive by 2028.
A new Volvo electric sedan could arrive in the United States within the next few years as the Swedish automaker reportedly considers bringing both an electric sedan and an electric wagon back to its North American lineup by 2028.
If approved, the move would mark Volvo’s return to a segment it exited after discontinuing its gasoline-powered sedans and wagons, signaling renewed confidence in electric passenger cars.
Volvo is reportedly planning to bring an electric sedan and wagon to the U.S. by 2028.
Volvo Electric Sedan Could Revive the Brand’s Passenger Cars
The upcoming Volvo electric sedan is expected to be based on the company’s next-generation SPA3 platform, the same architecture that will underpin the upcoming EX60 electric SUV.
The new platform features 800-volt technology, allowing faster charging and improved efficiency. Future models built on SPA3 are expected to offer driving ranges of around 400 miles and significantly shorter charging times.
Volvo’s next-generation SPA3 platform could underpin the future electric sedan and wagon.
Electric Sedan and Wagon Expected to Share Advanced EV Technology
Reports suggest the future Volvo electric sedan and wagon will likely share many components with the EX60, including advanced battery technology, fast-charging capability and high-performance electric powertrains.
The most powerful versions could produce as much as 670 horsepower, while charging from 10% to 80% may take as little as 19 minutes under ideal conditions.
Volvo’s future electric passenger cars are expected to feature 800-volt architecture and fast charging.
Volvo Eyes a Return to the U.S. Sedan Market
If the project moves forward, the Volvo electric sedan could revive iconic nameplates previously offered in North America while giving buyers another premium EV alternative. Although Volvo has not officially confirmed the program, the reported plan highlights the company’s continued investment in electric vehicles and its belief that demand for premium sedans and wagons could return in the U.S. market.
The Nissan Xterra remains one of the best-value used off-road SUVs, offering rugged capability and reliability for less than $10,000.
The Used Nissan Xterra has become one of the best bargains in the off-road SUV market. While models like the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler continue to climb in price, the Xterra offers genuine four-wheel-drive capability, proven reliability and rugged styling for less than $10,000.
Built for adventure rather than luxury, the Xterra continues to attract buyers looking for a dependable SUV that can tackle trails without stretching the budget.
The Nissan Xterra remains one of the most affordable off-road SUVs on the used market.
Why the Used Nissan Xterra Stands Out
The second-generation Used Nissan Xterra, introduced for the 2005 model year, represented a major improvement over its predecessor. Built on Nissan’s F-Alpha platform, it shared its architecture with the Titan and Armada, delivering a stronger chassis, better interior space and improved off-road performance.
Power came from a durable 4.0-liter V6 engine, giving the SUV the capability needed for both daily driving and demanding off-road adventures.
The second-generation Xterra combines a rugged platform with a powerful V6 engine.
The Pro-4X Is the Model to Buy
Drivers searching for the most capable Used Nissan Xterra should focus on the Off-Road and later Pro-4X trims. These versions added Bilstein shocks, an electronic locking rear differential, skid plates, all-terrain tires and hill descent control.
Combined with body-on-frame construction and a part-time four-wheel-drive system, these upgrades transformed the Xterra into a serious off-road machine.
The Pro-4X trim adds premium off-road equipment for more challenging terrain.
A Hidden Gem Among Used SUVs
The Used Nissan Xterra remains one of the most underrated SUVs available today. While used Toyota 4Runners and Jeep Wranglers often command premium prices, clean Xterra examples continue to offer exceptional value.
For buyers looking to enter the off-road world without spending a fortune, the Nissan Xterra delivers durability, capability and reliability at a price that is becoming increasingly difficult to match.
Formula 1 teams are discovering that modern power units can create significant performance gaps between teammates, even in identical cars.
Modern F1 power units are becoming one of the biggest factors separating teammates on track. According to McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella, today’s hybrid systems can create noticeable differences in lap time even when two drivers are using identical cars.
The issue became particularly visible during qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix, where small variations in energy deployment affected the performances of McLaren and Mercedes drivers.
Modern F1 power units can produce different performance levels even between identical cars.
Why F1 Power Units Affect Driver Performance
Unlike previous generations of Formula 1 engines, modern F1 power units rely on sophisticated software that constantly manages electrical energy deployment throughout a lap.
Instead of following a fixed strategy, the system makes calculations in real time based on multiple variables. That means two identical cars may not always deliver electrical power in exactly the same way, creating small but crucial differences in acceleration and top speed.
Teams continue working to optimize electrical energy deployment during each lap.
Andrea Stella Explains the Challenge
Andrea Stella explained that Oscar Piastri lost valuable time during qualifying because his power unit deployed electrical energy differently than Lando Norris’ system.
The McLaren boss also pointed to similar patterns inside Mercedes, where George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli experienced comparable differences despite driving identical machinery.
Andrea Stella says energy deployment can influence qualifying performance.
Teams Continue Improving F1 Power Units
Formula 1 teams continue refining the software and simulation tools used to manage F1 power units before every race weekend. These systems help engineers optimize energy deployment, gearbox settings and driving techniques to maximize performance.
As hybrid technology becomes even more sophisticated, mastering power unit management could remain one of the biggest competitive advantages in Formula 1.
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