Mercedes Benz GLE 2019: more technology and a new look for the premium SUV

In addition to an updated design, the Mercedes-Benz GLE comes loaded with new features, with technology as the real star.

More SUV than ever: the new Mercedes-Benz GLE is even more comfortable on the road and gains off-road capability. To achieve this, Mercedes did not hesitate to turn to technology. The new model is presented at the Paris Motor Show. It can be reserved in late autumn, when the order period opens and prices are announced.

The technological novelties of the Mercedes GLE

The new Mercedes GLE includes many innovations. These are the main ones.

• E-ACTIVE BODY Control active air suspension. It is based on a 48-volt electrical system, and it is the first suspension system on the market that can independently adjust the damping and the stiffness of the air springs for each wheel. The goal? Maximum comfort, by limiting any body movement.
• Active traffic jam assist. A new driving aid in the Mercedes, similar to the traffic jam assistant of Audi. It assists the driver in congested traffic at speeds of up to 60 km/h. As an important novelty, it can even create a “corridor” if it detects that a way must be cleared for an ambulance or a police car, for example.

  

• Turning function for active braking. Another new assistant for the Mercedes GLE. It detects a possible danger if the SUV driver is about to turn left across the opposite lane, braking the vehicle if necessary.
• Fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive. This novelty is reserved for the Mercedes GLE with 6- and 8-cylinder engines, or for the plug-in hybrid versions. For the first time, the four-wheel drive is completely variable, and can split torque between 0 and 100% between the front and rear axles. Furthermore, if the Offroad package is fitted, the drive includes a low-range gearbox.
• MBUX multimedia system. The brand’s new models are increasingly equipped with the MBUX multimedia system, debuted in the Mercedes A-Class. As standard, the Mercedes GLE features two 12.3-inch screens with four display styles: classic, sporty, progressive and a minimalist one.

  

What changes outside and inside the Mercedes GLE

These are just some of the many innovations the new Mercedes GLE brings, which also significantly changes its exterior and interior look. The headlights and front grille have been redesigned. The layout of the rear light clusters is also new. But the most interesting thing is that the aerodynamic coefficient CX drops from 0.32 to 0.29.

Inside, besides the change brought by the incorporation of MBUX, all controls and gauges have been completely redesigned. There is also an important functional novelty here: with a wheelbase extended by 80 mm compared to its predecessor, the space for rear-seat passengers increases by almost 7 cm. Additionally, a second row of seats with six-way electric adjustment can optionally be fitted, moving the outer seats independently by up to 100 mm longitudinally. The maximum boot volume is 825 litres, and it can reach 2,055 litres with the seats folded down.

New 6-cylinder engine for the GLE 450 4MATIC

The most important debut under the bonnet is the new 6-cylinder petrol engine for the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC. New powertrains will be added later, including a diesel and a plug-in hybrid.

The Mercedes 450 GLE 4MATIC includes 48-volt electrification. It delivers 367 CV and 500 Nm of torque, with the possibility of an additional 22 CV and increased torque in the mode called “EQ Boost”, for maximum acceleration. The average consumption starts at 8.3 l/100 km, and CO2 emissions from 190 g/km. Thanks to the integrated starter-generator, which can recover energy or restart the engine after coasting, the GLE 450 4MATIC therefore features mild hybrid propulsion.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 2019 image gallery