The new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe comes to redefine dynamics and style. The standard and the GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe variants will make their public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The cars will hit the showrooms in the spring of 2020.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe measures 4939 mm in length and 2010 mm in width, being 39 mm longer and 7 mm wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase has also extended by 20 mm, but staying 20 mm shorter than that of the standard GLE.
At the front, the SUV coupe receives the diamond radiator grille with the single horizontal louvres, flanked by full-LED headlamps as standard. From the side, the wheels with sizes between 19 and 22 inches catch the eye, together with the black plastic cladding on the wheel wells. Its muscular rear fenders blend into a dynamic design rear with slim elongated headlamps, as the latest teaser revealed, and integrated tailpipes, beneath the protruding lip of the tailgate.
The interior of the GLE Coupe carries over the values of the standard GLE, presented last year. Two large screens of 12.3 inches make up the cockpit with the horizontal layout, displaying the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) System. The upper surface of the dashboard is covered in ARTICO man-made leather upholstery as standard. Also standard are the sports seats with particularly good lateral support, with an ARTICO cover and the new sports steering wheel with a nappa leather rim, standard as well.
Prominent grab handles in the center console confirm that we are dealing with a vehicle with the genes of an offroader. The wheelbase now longer than in the predecessor provides more interior space for the occupants of the rear seats, where they now have easier access, thanks to the entrance now enlarged by 35 mm.
The boot volume is of 655 liters, but once the rear backrests are folded, it grows to 1790 liters, 70 liters more than in the predecessor and a best in segment. The loading sill is higher than on conventional SUVs, but the AIRMATIC suspension lowers the car by 50 mm with a simple press of a button.
Two diesel engines set the new SUV coupe in motion. It is the OM 656 with six in-line cylinders, available in two output levels: the GLE Coupe 350 d 4MATIC gets 272 HP and 600 Nm, while the GLE Coupe 400 d 4MATIC is rated at 330 HP and 700 Nm of torque, both complying with the Euro 6d standards.
All variants of the new GLE Coupé have a transfer case with an electronically controlled multiplate clutch as standard behind the 9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission.
The new GLE Coupe standardly gets the steel suspension with sportier and firm settings. The AIRMATIC suspension with adaptive adjustable damping is available as an option and so is the E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension, based on a 48-Volt system, that can individually control spring and damping forces at each wheel.
The GLE Coupe is as safe as any of the high-class Mercedes models, as it comes with Active Braking Assist, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Route-Based Speed Adjustment, Active Stop-and-Go Assist and Active Steering Assist.
The current top of the range variant is the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe. It is powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line engine with 48-Volt technology, developing 435 horsepower.
The car comes with variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+, all-wheel drive, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G 9-speed automatic transmission and the 60 mm shorter wheelbase compared with the SUV variant.
It also gets AMG-specific drive programs and the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with stabilizing, electro-mechanical AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL.
It can be easily identified thanks to its AMG-specific radiator grille, prominent powerdomes on the hood, the Mercedes star in a double ring, together with the striking “A-wing” in the AMG front apron. It runs on 20-inch alloy wheels with the AMG lettering as standard, but larger wheels of 20 and 22 inches are available on demand.
The redesigned rear apron with a large air diffuser and the special AMG exhaust system with two round twin tailpipe trim elements in high-gloss chrome completes the aggressive styling of the model.
The interior continues the sporty values of the exterior, with red contrasting topstitching on the upholstery and red seat belts. The AMG seats are covered in black ARTICO man-made leather / DINAMICA microfiber, while the “AMG” badges stand out in the front backrests. The AMG Performance steering wheel in black nappa leather features red contrasting topstitching and red 12-o’clock marking.
The cockpit enhances the dynamic feeling on board with typical AMG features: the three-spoke AMG steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles, AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs, door sill panels and black floor mats with “AMG” lettering.
The model is equipped with the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension. The damping characteristics can be preselected in three modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport+. There are also two new levels for off-road use – “Trail” and “Sand”. The Sport and Sport+ modes bring it 10 mm closer to the ground, while the Comfort mode, it is lowered by 10 mm at speed exceeding 120 km/h. On poor surfaces, the suspension level can be raised by up to 55 mm, when the vehicle is stationary or when it is driving at speeds below 70 km/h.
The 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with 435 horsepower and 520 Nm of torque, is assisted by the EQ Boost starter-alternator, which provides it with an an additional 22 hp and 250 Nm of torque for a short period.
The new GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé is equipped with fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive and with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G 9-speed automatic transmission.
The AMG DYNAMIC SELECT brings onboard seven different programs: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual, together with the off-road specific programs Trail and Sand.
Integrated in the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT, the AMG DYNAMICS, with its Basic, Advaned and Pro levels, works on the control strategies of the ESP and all-wheel drive. Two offroad specific levels, Traction and Slide, are active when the ESP is deactivated.
The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe gets the optional AMG TRACK PACE function, for drivers that are into track experiences.
