Throughout the history of the automobile, flat-plane crank engines have been the domain of race cars and sports cars, an exotic alternative to those lumpy, cross-plane crank engines found in muscle cars and less sophisticated sports cars. But in 2015, Ford changed everything by putting a Ferrari-like flat-plane crank V8 engine in the Shelby GT350, complete with a glorious sound as it climbed its way up to its 8,250 rpm redline. Chevrolet took it even further, making the largest production flat-plane crank V8 with its 5.5-liter unit in the C8 Z06, which has an even higher 8,600 rpm redline and its own glorious sound.
This year, Mercedes-Benz became the first company to bring the flat-plane crank V8 to a mainstream vehicle, debuting it first in an ordinary S-Class, without even requiring the AMG version. The change was made to improve smoothness and emissions, and nobody seems to be complaining.
If that didn’t democratize the engine enough, Mercedes-Benz has now put it in the newest versions of the GLE and GLS SUVs, which just received a refresh for the 2027 model year, and once again, you don’t even need to step up to the AMG version to get it. Yes, what was once the stuff of exotic Ferrari lore is now the humble engine that powers a regular luxury 3-row baby hauler. If this is (potentially literally) music to your ears, keep reading as we go through the three different SUVs that offer this engine layout and which trims are required to get it.
At the time of writing, we only have the European press releases for these vehicles, so we don’t have U.S. pricing just yet, and won’t cover exact pricing the 2027 GLE changes as a result. We also won’t be able to cover fuel economy for the same reason.
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupe
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE CoupeMercedes-Benz
Model
GLE 580
GLE 63 S
Engine
4.0-liter Bi-Turbo V8
4.0-liter Bi-Turbo V8
Horsepower
530 hp
603 hp
Torque
553 lb-ft
627 lb-ft
Transmission
9-speed automatic
9-speed automatic
0-60 mph
4.4 seconds
3.6 seconds
The entire Mercedes-Benz GLE lineup received a refresh for 2027. We’ve already detailed the changes here, but the highlights include bigger lights and revised styling front and rear on the same basic GLE platform as before, along with a new interior to bring the latest Mercedes technology and, most importantly for this article, new engines. All six different powertrains available for the GLE have been revised. Here, we’ll just focus on the two V8s.
We’re counting the standard and coupe variants as two different models since the coupe’s swoopier roofline means the two vehicles have unique bodies. Other than the roofline, the GLEs covered below offer all the same things on both body styles and the commentary applies to both.
GLE 580
Beyond the base GLE’s 4-cylinder and the mid-level GLE 450 and GLE 500e that run an inline-6, with the latter getting plug-in hybrid assistance, the range-topper of the standard GLE lineup is the 580. It uses the same variant of the M177 Evo V8 that debuted in the standard S-Class, producing the same 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque — increases of 20 horsepower and 15 lb-ft of torque compared to the outgoing cross-plane crank V8 GLE 580. It continues to use a mild hybrid system for extended stop/start and mild motive assistance. Prices for the outgoing GLE 580 started at an even $90,000 plus $1,350 for destination and delivery, so count on this refreshed version to start slightly above that.
GLE 63 S
The GLE 63 S takes this same basic flat-plane crank V8 design and adds a new turbo compressor and housing, new intake camshaft profiles, new intake and exhaust ports, and a new exhaust particulate filter that has also been revised. There is, of course, a re-tune of the entire package to make full use of these changes as well. Surprisingly, the end result is no additional horsepower or torque over the outgoing cross-plane AMG engine, continuing to produce 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque.
2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe from the rear three-quarter angleMercedes-Benz
The peak powerband for horsepower is actually 150 rpm narrower, but it kicks in 250 rpm sooner at 5,500 rpm, which helps explain the 0-60 mph time that is 0.1 sec faster than before, now down to 3.6 seconds. Peak torque comes on at the same 2,500 rpm, and it too continues with the mild hybrid assistance. All other AMG features carry over, including the sportier suspension, brakes, and styling inside and out. To give you a ballpark figure for price, the old one started at $131,800 plus $1,350 for destination and delivery.
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 ExteriorMercedes-Benz
Model
GLS 580
GLS 63 S
Engine
4.0-liter Bi-Turbo V8
4.0-liter Bi-Turbo V8
Horsepower
530 hp
603 hp
Torque
553 lb-ft
627 lb-ft
Transmission
9-speed automatic
9-speed automatic
0-60 mph
4.6 seconds
3.9 seconds
The GLS lineup received all the same core changes as the GLE for the 2027 model year, with a substantial refresh on what remains essentially the same vehicle underneath as it has been since 2019. There are, however, a few differences, primarily in the styling. The GLS goes against the industry trend of smaller headlights, opting instead for large units with double projectors and double accent lights, both stacked inside housings that are almost early-2000s Mercedes retro in their proportions.
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A flat-plane V8, available low-range four-wheel drive, and a Superscreen dashboard round out one of the most comprehensive facelifts ever.
The taillights did not follow suit, instead staying roughly the same size as before, with new elements and a glossy black piece in the middle that connects them to give the appearance of a full-width taillight bar. The main highlight inside is a trio of 12.3-inch screens that are now standard.
!!!MODEL TAG!!! Listing Carousel 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4MATIC SUV
As for powertrains, there are a more manageable three options to choose from, at least for now: the GLS 450, which uses the same turbocharged inline-6 as the GLE 450, and the flat-plane-crank-equipped V8s of the GLS 580 and GLS 63 S. An additional powertrain option will likely arrive with the eventual, inevitable return of the Maybach version, but Mercedes hasn’t talked about that one yet.
GLS 580
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 ExteriorMercedes-Benz
For those who want a V8 in their luxury 3-row but don’t need all the performance hardware from AMG, the 580 variant is the ideal choice. All the mechanicals are shared with the GLE, meaning the engine is carried over from the S-Class, producing the same 530 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque while relying on the same mild hybrid assistance. The 2026 GLS starts at $90,250 plus that $1,350 destination charge, so expect a price in the mid-$90,000 range before checking any boxes on the extensive list of options that Mercedes still charges extra for.
GLS 63 S
Just like the 580, the GLS 63 S mirrors the equipment found on the GLE 63 S, including the same 603 hp, 627 lb-ft of torque, and mild hybrid assistance. Interestingly, this model’s 0–60 mph time drops by a larger (but still modest) 0.2 seconds, from 4.1 seconds to 3.9 seconds. While it remains to be seen whether Mercedes-AMG will retain the S 63 S’s plug-in hybrid E Performance assistance, since details on the S 63 are not yet available at the time of writing, it is notable that Mercedes has opted to keep the GLS free of plug-in hybrid assistance despite more such options continuing to be added across the industry.
2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 from the rear three-quarter angleMercedes-Benz
Pricing for the 2026 GLS 63 S started at $151,050 plus $1,350 for destination, and again, expect minor increases once 2027 pricing is announced. But can you really put a price on the absurd appeal of having over 600 horsepower and an exotic flat-plane-crank V8 in a luxurious 3-row SUV? One can only hope this trend of flat-plane-crank SUVs continues to expand, potentially next with the AMG-powered Aston Martin DBX.
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Sources: Mercedes-Benz
