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NEW CARS

New Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and GLS 63 Debut with M177 EVO Power

Just when it seemed every performance SUV was heading toward downsized engines and increasingly electrified futures, Mercedes-AMG has delivered a reminder that some traditions are worth fighting for.

Meet the heavily revised GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ and GLS 63 4MATIC+, two familiar high-performance SUVs that arrive carrying something increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape: a hand-built AMG V8. More importantly, that V8 isn’t merely surviving—it has been extensively reengineered to ensure it remains part of AMG’s future.

At the center of both SUVs sits the latest evolution of AMG’s legendary M177 engine, a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 now known internally as the M177 EVO. While output remains unchanged at 612 horsepower and 627 pound-feet (850 Nm) of torque, AMG engineers have performed a comprehensive overhaul beneath the aluminum skin.

The headline change is a new flat-plane crankshaft, a feature more commonly associated with exotic sports cars than luxury SUVs weighing well over two tons. The switch reduces rotating mass, sharpens throttle response, and allows the engine to spin more freely toward redline. AMG says the result is a more eager and responsive character while simultaneously helping the powertrain meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations around the globe.

That balancing act—preserving personality while satisfying regulators—has become one of the industry’s greatest engineering challenges. AMG’s answer includes revised intake and exhaust ports, an updated fuel-injection system, redesigned turbocharger components, and a significantly upgraded emissions-control package that now includes a particulate filter as standard worldwide.

The V8 is no longer working alone, either.

A 48-volt electrical architecture and second-generation integrated starter-generator contribute an additional 23 horsepower and 151 pound-feet (205 Nm) of temporary assistance. The mild-hybrid setup smooths stop-start operation, improves low-end response, and recovers energy during deceleration without diluting the combustion engine’s character.

And yes, performance remains suitably outrageous.

Mercedes-AMG claims the GLE 63 S reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds, while the larger GLS 63 follows closely behind at 4.2 seconds. Both are capable of a 174-mph (280-km/h) top speed.

For many AMG loyalists, however, the numbers are only half the story.

The soundtrack matters just as much.

To that end, AMG has developed an entirely new Performance Exhaust system complete with active valves. In Comfort mode, the V8 settles into a subdued rumble appropriate for school runs and highway cruising. Select Sport+ and the system unleashes the deeper, more aggressive voice buyers expect from an AMG flagship.

Visually, Mercedes has given both SUVs a stronger performance identity. A redesigned front fascia features a more prominent Panamericana-style grille, larger cooling intakes, and new AMG-specific lighting signatures. Around back, quad exhaust outlets and an aggressive diffuser leave little doubt about what powers these machines.

The hardware beneath the bodywork receives equally significant attention.

AMG Ride Control+ combines air suspension with adaptive dampers and can alter its personality dramatically depending on driver preference. The system lowers the vehicle by 10 millimeters during spirited driving to improve aerodynamics and stability, yet can also raise ride height for rough roads or light off-road excursions.

For drivers who somehow find themselves tackling trails in a 612-hp luxury SUV, a dedicated Trail mode increases ground clearance by up to 55 millimeters while recalibrating the suspension, all-wheel-drive system, and damping characteristics.

Body control is managed by AMG Active Ride Control, which uses electromechanical anti-roll bars on both axles. Sensors monitor vehicle movements up to 1,000 times per second, actively counteracting body roll and helping these large SUVs corner with surprising composure.

The permanent AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system remains fully variable, capable of distributing torque precisely where it’s needed. Working alongside an electronically controlled rear differential, the setup promises sharper turn-in, improved traction, and greater stability whether carving through mountain roads or navigating snow-covered highways.

Inside, the formula blends performance and luxury in typical AMG fashion.

Drivers are greeted by the latest AMG Performance steering wheel, available in Nappa leather, microfiber-trimmed MICROCUT, or carbon-fiber finishes. Premium leather upholstery options span everything from understated black to vibrant MANUFAKTUR shades such as yacht blue and carmine red, while carbon trim and microfiber headliners reinforce the sporting atmosphere.

Technology also takes a step forward thanks to Mercedes-Benz’s new MB.OS operating system. High-resolution displays provide AMG-specific performance data, including real-time torque distribution, G-force measurements, and detailed engine telemetry, transforming the digital cockpit into a rolling performance command center.

Perhaps the most telling aspect of these updated SUVs isn’t any single specification, however. It’s the philosophy they represent.

In an era when performance increasingly arrives through batteries, software, and synthetic soundtracks, Mercedes-AMG has chosen to invest heavily in preserving one of its defining characteristics: a powerful twin-turbocharged V8.

The GLE 63 S and GLS 63 may be luxury family haulers on paper, but their existence sends a broader message. AMG believes there is still room in the future for eight cylinders, real exhaust notes, and the kind of mechanical drama that helped build the brand’s reputation in the first place.

For enthusiasts, that’s probably the most important number of all.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

News

Bentley’s New Paint Shop Is So Advanced It Needed Its Own Show Car

If you’ve ever wondered why a Bentley’s paint seems to possess a depth and richness that lesser luxury cars can only imitate, the answer increasingly lies not in the color itself, but in the factory that applies it. And now, Bentley has unveiled what may be its most important manufacturing investment since the company began preparing for an electric future: a massive new paint facility in Crewe that’s as sophisticated as the cars rolling through it.

The occasion isn’t just another ribbon-cutting ceremony. Bentley’s new 12,500-square-meter Paint Shop has officially entered service, becoming the tallest building on the company’s historic campus and a cornerstone of the brand’s ongoing “Dream Factory” transformation. More importantly, it signals how Bentley intends to maintain its reputation for craftsmanship while embracing the digital manufacturing technologies required for the next generation of vehicles—including the company’s first fully electric model arriving later this year.

And because Bentley rarely misses an opportunity to celebrate in style, the opening was marked with a one-off Continental GT S wearing a spectacular new finish called Spectral Verdant.

The Most Important Building You Never See

Paint shops rarely get enthusiasts excited. Engines do. Design studios do. Paint facilities generally don’t.

But they should.

For ultra-luxury manufacturers like Bentley, paint quality is one of the most visible indicators of craftsmanship. Customers spending six-figure sums expect flawless finishes, and increasingly, they expect something unique. That’s where Bentley’s new facility comes in.

The new Paint Shop has been designed around flexibility as much as efficiency. Every current Bentley model—the Continental GT, Continental GTC, Flying Spur, and the upcoming electric vehicle—will immediately benefit from the facility’s capabilities. The Bentayga will join the operation later as integration continues.

According to Bentley, the building has been engineered with future bespoke paint processes in mind, ensuring room for increasingly ambitious customer requests. Given the explosive growth of Bentley’s Mulliner personalization division, that’s a smart investment.

As Andreas Lehe, Bentley’s Board Member for Manufacturing, put it, the facility will help establish the company as a leader in paint quality for decades to come while expanding the range of finishes available to customers.

Luxury Meets Industry 4.0

Inside, the operation spreads across two meticulously planned floors that blend traditional hand craftsmanship with advanced automation.

The human element remains central. Bentley’s highly skilled paint specialists still perform much of the detailed work that gives the brand’s finishes their renowned quality. But behind the scenes, technology is doing much of the heavy lifting.

One of the most intriguing innovations is a fleet of ten Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) that shuttle vehicle bodies between workstations. Bentley claims this is the first automotive paint shop in the world to use self-propelled carriers in this way, allowing production stations to be reconfigured with remarkable flexibility.

That may sound like factory-floor trivia, but it matters. Bentley customers increasingly demand highly individualized finishes, and a production system capable of adapting quickly to bespoke requests becomes a competitive advantage.

The same AGV technology will also appear in Bentley’s future EV assembly operations, helping improve production tracking and workplace ergonomics as the company prepares for an electric era.

Cleaner, Smarter, and Far More Efficient

While luxury brands often focus on craftsmanship, Bentley’s new facility also reflects a growing emphasis on sustainability.

The building incorporates an advanced thermal management system that captures heat generated by paint application processes and redistributes it throughout the facility. The result is impressive: Bentley says the building requires no additional heating for roughly two-thirds of the year.

Environmental improvements extend beyond energy efficiency.

A new water-based primer replaces the previous solvent-based system, while more precise paint application and improved filtration technologies significantly reduce material consumption. Bentley estimates overall waste reduction of up to 45 percent compared with the outgoing facility.

Perhaps the most dramatic statistic comes from the Paint Shop’s Residual Thermal Oxidiser system. Operating at temperatures of around 1,000 degrees Celsius, the unit burns and purifies paint-process emissions before they’re released, reducing volatile organic compound emissions by as much as 98 percent.

It’s the sort of infrastructure investment customers will never see—but one that increasingly matters as luxury manufacturers face growing environmental scrutiny.

Enter Spectral Verdant

Of course, no new paint facility would be complete without a showcase piece.

To celebrate the start of production, Bentley created a one-off Continental GT S featuring an entirely new finish called Spectral Verdant. Developed in-house by Bentley’s artisans, the color builds upon the company’s existing Verdant green while introducing a remarkable color-shifting effect that reveals a spectrum of sparkling hues under natural light.

The result appears almost liquid in its depth, changing character as lighting conditions shift.

Further emphasizing the craftsmanship involved, the car also wears a hand-sprayed Union Flag racing stripe finished in Ghost White Pearlescent. Applying the stripe reportedly took several days and required bespoke painting techniques—a reminder that even in an era of advanced automation, Bentley still relies heavily on skilled human hands.

The new Spectral Verdant finish now joins Bentley’s extended “By Mulliner” paint portfolio, giving customers yet another way to ensure their car remains unlike any other on the road.

The Road to Bentley’s Electric Future

The new Paint Shop is ultimately about far more than paint.

It represents Bentley’s effort to future-proof its manufacturing operations as the company transitions toward electrification while preserving the handcrafted qualities that define the brand. It’s a delicate balancing act: introducing cutting-edge automation without sacrificing the artisanal character customers expect.

Judging by the opening act—a dazzling Continental GT S wearing one of the most striking paint finishes Bentley has ever produced—the company seems determined to prove that technology and craftsmanship aren’t opposing forces.

In Crewe, they’re simply being applied with another coat of paint.

Source: Bentley

News

This 1998 VW Passat TDI Nearly Drove 1,500 Miles on a Single Tank

A German hypermiler set out to prove that the old Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI still has a few lessons to teach modern Europe.

In today’s Europe, diesel engines have become automotive outcasts. Once celebrated for their ability to cover enormous distances on a sip of fuel, they’re now largely viewed as relics from a bygone era. Electrification dominates headlines, regulators have moved on, and diesel’s reputation never fully recovered from the scandals and emissions debates of the past decade.

Yet every now and then, an old oil-burner reminds us why it became so popular in the first place.

That’s exactly what happened when a German hypermiler climbed behind the wheel of a 1998 Volkswagen Passat B5 equipped with the legendary 1.9-liter TDI engine and attempted something most modern cars—electric or otherwise—would struggle to match: driving nearly 2,400 kilometers on a single tank of fuel.

The mission was personal. A year earlier, he had managed 1,913 kilometers on one tank and narrowly missed his goal of reaching the 2,000-kilometer mark. Rather than settling for the achievement, he returned with a far more ambitious target. This time, the route stretched from Hildesheim in central Germany all the way to Juoksengi in northern Sweden, near the Arctic Circle—a journey measuring roughly 2,359 kilometers.

To make the impossible seem plausible, every detail mattered.

The Passat underwent a thorough efficiency-focused makeover. Roof racks disappeared. Unnecessary items were removed from the cabin. A fresh fuel filter was installed. LED lighting replaced conventional bulbs to reduce electrical load. Going a step further, the owner even removed the accessory drive belt, disabling both the air-conditioning compressor and power steering in the pursuit of every possible drop of fuel savings.

The modifications didn’t stop there. Low-viscosity 0W-30 oil reduced internal friction. Low rolling-resistance “eco” tires were fitted and pumped up to an eyebrow-raising 4.0 bar. Aerodynamic wheel covers were added, and fuel additives found their way into the tank.

Speaking of the tank, Volkswagen originally gave the Passat a 62-liter fuel capacity. Through careful filling techniques and a few hypermiling tricks, the driver reportedly managed to squeeze approximately 67 liters aboard before departure.

The driving strategy was equally meticulous. Cruising speeds hovered around 50 mph (80 km/h), and the route was carefully selected to maximize efficiency. Whenever conditions allowed, the Passat tucked in behind trucks at a safe distance to reduce aerodynamic drag. Progress was measured not in minutes saved, but in milliliters consumed.

The results bordered on the absurd.

After 345 kilometers, the fuel gauge had barely budged. At the 1,000-kilometer mark, the needle still sat above half a tank. At one point during the journey, the driver simply slept inside the Passat to minimize downtime and keep the challenge moving.

Kilometer after kilometer, the old TDI continued to defy expectations.

Eventually, the trip came to an end at 2,398 kilometers—just two agonizing kilometers short of the original 2,400-kilometer goal. Average fuel consumption remained below 3.0 liters per 100 kilometers throughout the run, a figure that would embarrass many modern hybrids.

While the achievement surpassed a well-known 2010 effort by British drivers who covered 2,463 kilometers in a newer Passat B6 between England and France, it still fell short of the remarkable 2,545-kilometer benchmark established by Croatian journalists in 2011 using a Passat B7 1.6 TDI.

Even so, context matters.

The Croatian and British attempts relied on considerably newer machinery. The German’s weapon of choice was a nearly three-decade-old family sedan powered by one of Volkswagen’s most revered diesel engines. In an era when manufacturers are investing billions to move beyond internal combustion altogether, a 28-year-old Passat quietly demonstrated why the 1.9 TDI remains legendary among diesel enthusiasts.

No, it won’t change the future of the automobile. But as long-distance feats go, it’s a reminder that before batteries, before plug-in hybrids, and before range anxiety became part of the automotive vocabulary, there was a different kind of engineering challenge: squeezing every last mile from a tank of fuel.

And few engines ever did it better than Volkswagen’s old 1.9 TDI.

Source: Offroadventure via YouTube