Mercedes has unveiled the new GLE
Coupe and GLE 53 Coupe. Designed to battle the BMW X6, the redesigned crossover coupe has an
evolutionary design with a bolder front fascia that features a more prominent
grille and restyled LED headlights. Moving further back, there’s a
more rakish windscreen and 19- to 22-inch alloy wheels. Of course, the biggest
change is the dynamic roofline which gives the model a coupe-like appearance.
The sporty styling continues at the rear as the
crossover has bulging fenders for a “ready-to-pounce look.” There’s also
slimmer taillights and a liftgate with an integrated rear spoiler. Last but not
least, the GLE Coupe has a chrome-plated accent that wraps around a dual
exhaust system. Compared to its predecessor, the new GLE Coupe is 39 mm longer, 7 mm wider and has a wheelbase that has been stretched by 20 mm. Those differences are relatively minor, but the Coupe is
still 60 mm shorter than the standard GLE.
The cabin largely carries over from the GLE and it
features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a matching 12.3-inch
infotainment system. The model also
comes equipped with a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, sport seats and an
Artico (faux leather) dashboard. The interior improvements don’t end there as Mercedes says the
slightly larger dimensions pay a number of dividends in the cabin. In particular, the company says the model has
“tangibly more room” than its predecessor and this results in a cabin that has
a “comfortable amount of space” for up to five people.
Speaking of room, the boot holds 655 liters of luggage but can be expanded to 1,790 liters when the rear seats are folded down. The
latter number is an improvement of 70 liters and Mercedes says
that means the GLE Coupe has the most cargo room in its segment.
In Europe, the model will be offered with a
six-cylinder diesel engine that has two different outputs. The GLE Coupe 350 d 4MATIC has 268 hp and 600 Nm of torque, while the 400 d 4MATIC boasts 325
hp and 700 Nm of torque. Both have a 9G‑TRONIC automatic transmission
which sends power to a standard all-wheel drive system. The only variant announced for
America so far is the GLE 53 Coupe. It
features sportier styling inside and out, as well as a hybridized powertrain
with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine.
The engine develops 429 hp and 521 Nm of torque. However, the
model has an EQ Boost starter generator which is essentially an electric motor
that can deliver an additional 21 hp and 249 Nm of
torque for short periods of time. Thanks to the high-tech
powertrain, the GLE 53 Coupe can accelerate from 0-96 km/h in just
5.2 seconds. Given enough room, the
model will eventually hit its limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The base model comes equipped with a steel
suspension that features “sportier and tauter tuning.” However, customers can order an optional
Airmatic or E-Active Body Control suspension.
The latter builds on the Airmatic suspension and Mercedes says it’s the
“only system in the market that can individually control spring and damping
forces at each wheel.”
Moving up to the GLE 53 Coupe rewards buyers with a
standard AMG Ride Control+ air suspension which promises both long-distance
comfort and great agility. The crossover
also has a sports steering system, high-performance brakes and an AMG
Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system that promises optimum torque
distribution. Mercedes didn’t say much about launch details, but it will probably
be awhile before the GLE 53 Coupe is available in America as the company says
it’s a 2021 model.
