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Mercedes has X6 in its crosshairs with the GLE Coupe

In the last month, Mercedes-Benz has taken the sheet off two versions of its GLE Coupe: the 450 AMG and Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S. The models represent the German brand's shot across the bow at the BMW X6 in the luxury-crossover-four-door-coupe segment, including the high-performance M version of the bodystyle. Not much separates the styling between the two versions. Both feature sweeping arches over the hood and roofline to create their coupe-like appearance. Up front there are huge air intakes with a wide grille on top that's bisected by the brand's traditional star. The AMG version tweaks that look with the division's A-wing grille. At the rear, there are wraparound taillights and a chrome strip. The higher performance version also sports a modified diffuser and air outlets. No matter which one buyers choose, they get a healthy amount of power nestled under the hood. The 450 AMG packs a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 with 362 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque with a nine-speed automatic. Opting for the GLE63 means a massive boost with 577 hp and 561 pound-feet from a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 routing through a seven-speed auto gearbox. Either way, customers get Merc's 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The luxury crossover coupe segment is often maligned for looking awkward, but Mercedes clearly sees room to grow there. Check them both out live from the 2015 Detroit Auto Show floor in the galleries above.

Mercedes-AMG expands V12 engine production to Mannheim

Mercedes-AMG may be downsizing some of its engines, but it hasn't given up on making V12s. In fact it has so much demand for them, and so little room to expand, that it is opening a new workshop at another location just to handle V12s. We take that as a good sign. That new location is the Daimler factory in Mannheim, in southwestern Germany, which is already dedicated to engine production and is located just an hour and a half from the Mercedes headquarters in Stuttgart and the main AMG workshop in neighboring Affalterbach. But although the assembly of its 12-cylinder engines is being moved, it will still be carried out under the "one man, one engine" philosophy that sees each motor built from start to finish by one highly skilled and specially trained AMG technician. The move will give AMG the capacity to build more of its V12 engines. But it will also make use of excess capacity at the Mannheim plant, and allow the Affalterbach site to use the space and technicians freed up by the V12 move to focus instead on V8s. Those concerned about AMG's ability to maintain its levels of quality and performance at a remote location might note that production of its turbocharged four-cylinder engines for the A45, CLA45, and GLA45 models is already carried out by MDC Power GmbH, a Daimler subsidiary in Kolleda, using the same philosophy. AMG's current 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine produces a massive 621 horsepower and an even more impressive 738 pound-feet of torque. It's used in the SL65 roadster, G65 sport-ute, and S65 coupe and sedan... and maybe soon in the S65 cabrio as well. Come to think of it, a twelve-cylinder version of the new GLS seems like a good idea, too. And though Aston Martin is contracted to use AMG's eight-cylinder engines, the added capacity could get the creative juices from Gaydon flowing as well. Related Video: MERCEDES-AMG TO BUILD 12-CYLINDER ENGINES IN MANNHEIM Affalterbach. Due to strong demand for its high-performance automobiles, Mercedes-AMG is to start the assembly of its 12-cylinder engines in a new location at Daimler's site in Mannheim. The traditional AMG "one man, one engine" philosophy continues to hold true: each powerful AMG engine will be built completely by hand by just one engine fitter. The employees who currently assemble 12-cylinder engines at the AMG headquarters in Affalterbach will be shifted to the eight-cylinder engine lines.

Mercedes testing C-Class plug-in hybrid modes in Germany

Testing appears to be underway for what would be the first Mercedes-Benz C-Class with a hybrid powertrain. We can see a pair of the prototypes undergoing testing in Germany, with one, a C-Class Wagon, still heavily clad in camouflage and featuring a more noticeable outlet on the passenger side of its rear bumper.
There's also a more production-looking sedan, which features a not-so-discreet flap over its rear-bumper outlet. It's difficult to speculate on power outputs for this fuel-sipping C-Class, although our spies seem to think that this car will feature some combination of a four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor, although just which four is unclear (note, we wouldn't mind if MB fit its 2.0-liter turbo with some batteries and motors). Regardless, the four-pot/electric motor seems like a pretty reasonable combo, although it probably means that Mercedes won't be challenging the six-cylinder-powered system of the BMW ActiveHybrid3 any time soon.
When the plug-in C-Class arrives later this year as a 2015 model, it will likely offer a full range of driving modes, including both gas or electric, only, as well as a more traditional hybrid mode.