Mercedes GLE Coupé

Mercedes has officially revealed what will become its first SUV with coupé-style lines. We are talking about the GLE Coupé, which also debuts a new commercial name.

The GLE Coupé marks the beginning of a new generation of crossovers within the star brand, and its presentation is scheduled for NAIAS.

One quick look at the exterior of the GLE Coupé is enough to realise that at Mercedes they have not messed about, and have aimed straight at the heart of what from now on becomes its main rival, the BMW X6. The sloping roofline gives it an undeniable resemblance, something Mercedes makes no effort to hide, but always adding an extra touch of distinction typical of the German manufacturer’s creations.

The front end previews the lines of the new generation of the GLE, successor to the current ML, and follows a pattern similar to what we find on other models in the brand, such as the GLA or the S-Class. There are large teardrop-shaped LED headlights, as well as prominent air intakes in both the grille and the bumper, which further emphasise the dynamic, sporty character of the GLE Coupé.

The side profile offers a look similar to that of the BMW X6, with a very pronounced roofline drop that gives it that coupé image which has been so successful for BMW. It is true that the star brand’s creation has a larger glazed area which, at first glance, should translate into greater brightness and spaciousness in the cabin, also improving visibility, one of the critical points of this type of car.

The rear has a very distinctive look, and we can find features very similar to those of the new S-Class Coupé, as the light clusters have a very similar shape. In the bumper there are metallic details, as well as the integrated exhaust outlets, which give it a more elegant touch.

Inside, the cabin exudes, above all, quality. The dashboard shows a more evolved look compared to the current ML, with softer, more fluid lines and a greater sense of quality. However, it retains details that, personally, I am not entirely convinced by, such as the floating-structure central screen, which can neither fold nor retract. Overall, any ML owner will quickly feel at home in the interior of the GLE Coupé.

As well as its name, the GLE Coupé has been chosen to debut a new line of versions that will gradually extend to other models in the current -and future- Mercedes range. We are talking about the AMG Sport line, which adds equipment, distinction and sporty touches without reaching the brutality of the AMG versions. This line is aimed at competing with BMW’s “M Sport” and Audi’s “S” versions.

The GLE Coupé will go on sale with three engine options, although more mechanical options will be added over the coming months. In the first phase, only one diesel version will be available, with the commercial name GLE 350d 4MATIC, fitted with a V6 producing 258 hp and 620 Nm. There will also be two petrol options, the less powerful being the GLE 400 4MATIC with a 3.0 V6 delivering 333 hp and 480 Nm.

The top-of-the-range version will, for now, be the GLE 450 4MATIC AMG SPORT, which uses the same 3.0 V6 engine, but tuned to deliver 367 hp and 520 Nm. It will also feature a sportier feel in the suspension, brakes and steering. All three engines are paired with the new 9G-TRONIC 9-speed gearbox, a natural evolution of the 7G-TRONIC that has brought so much success to the star brand.

Source | Mercedes