Before talking about the new car per se, it’s interesting to notice the context in which it appears. As part of its new naming scheme, Mercedes is rebadging its SUVs and crossovers in order to make them match the “Class” to which they supposedly belong. Since GLA was already born under this (it’s associated to A-Class), now it was time to create E-Class’ counterpart. But don’t get it wrong: this article’s vehicle is only one of the cars which will account for the GLE badge. The other will be the widely-known ML, which will receive the new name along with a heavy facelift. By the way, the latter vehicle is also the one from which this article’s Coupé is derived. However, as the images anticipate, its conception took inspiration from many other sources.
In order to dissimulate the X6-ish silhouette, Mercedes recurred to its own previous works. The front fascia seems to have been created by adding yeast to GLA’s, while the sides lead to think of something between CLA and CLS’ designs several inches higher. The rear, in turn, disguises the controversial shape by reminding of the S-Class with the same surname: from the rounded windshield to the license plate placed on the bumper, passing by horizontal tail lights visually connected by a thin chrome bar, the last part you’ll see of this car in motion is all about Mercedes’ flagship coupé. As you can imagine, style items such as bumper and wheel designs vary according to the trim level, and to particular options made by each customer.
BMW’s strategy was “mimicked” even at more technical parts. Coupé’s underpinnings are the very same which one can find at the currently named ML, just like what the Bavarian automaker does with X5 and X6. The reason, once again, is to reduce costs and increase earnings at the same time: while the conventional SUV returns the investment with stable sales, the “subversive” variation uses a premium approach so as to charge higher prices and bring more money per unit. Mercedes wanted GLE Coupé to execute such a plan by being sporty – more specifically, by feeling like “a true sports car”. Some of the equipments which share this intention are the little-body-roll suspension, 20”-to-22” wheels, and the possibility for the driver to customize from the chassis to the engine note.
As you can imagine, such performance is wrapped by an enormous list of comfort and safety items. The first group is represented by Bang & Olufsen stereo, Comand infotainment system with an 8” screen and exclusive screens for the rear seat, panoramic sunroof, and several options of leather and trim. The other is made by the company’s latest array of active and passive systems, although some of these come as optionals. Everything is combined to a level of internal space which Mercedes claims to be huge even for five passengers: despite the fastback roof, this coupé has the widest rear bench of its category and “also offers the largest luggage compartment in its class and just happens to hold the world record for luggage compartments in coupes.” Come for the lines, stay for the liters.
GLE Coupé’s ground clearance leads to think that it wouldn’t disappoint if confronted with off-road tracks, but this is the kind of car which no one buys for driving on anything other than asphalt. For those who appreciate doing this, here’s the technical part: there will be four versions, always with AWD and the 9G-Tronic transmission. GLE 350d uses a 3.0-liter V6 diesel (255 hp and 457 lb-ft), while 400 uses a biturbo 3.0-liter V6 gasoline (329 hp and 354 lb-ft). Moving to the sporty brothers means mentioning this car is also introducing Mercedes’ new line: AMG Sport is intended to make a bridge between the regular versions, which can only be enhanced with AMG Line accessories, and the full-performance siblings, which were promoted to the Mercedes-AMG brand.
Therefore, the next trim is 450 AMG Sport, which brings the previous engine re-tuned to deliver 362 hp and 384 lb-ft. If your budget is loose enough, you might consider the flagship Mercedes-AMG GLE63: the biturbo 5.5-liter V8 is good for 557 hp and 516 lb-ft at the regular version, but can receive extra turbo pressure with the “S” package so as to reach 585 hp and 560 lb-ft. Both the regular AMGs switch to the Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission, and accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in up to 4.2 seconds. As usual, you can spot the sporty versions at the street because of more aggressive bumpers, bigger air intakes, exclusive wheels and, now speaking of the V8 brothers, an engine sound which Mercedes claims to be “unmistakable”.