Whether the aim is playing hard or working hard, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and its sporty offshoot, the GLE Coupé, once again come to the party with updates in all departments.
Whether the aim is playing hard or working hard, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and its sporty offshoot, the GLE Coupé, once again come to the party with updates in all departments.
Originally known as the M-Class when it was unleashed on the market in 1997, its global success continued with the GLE launched in 2015 and the current model series followed in 2018.
Mercedes-Benz has now updated the exterior, interior, technology and equipment of the model generation launched in 2018:
Equipment
The Driving Assistance Package contains further improved specific functions, for example for the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist and Traffic Sign Assist. Another new feature is the "transparent bonnet" function. If the off-road drive program is switched on, the central display shows a virtual view under the front of the vehicle – helping to make this noticeably easier in steep terrain.
The fully electric trailer coupling is also a particularly convenient feature. By means of a button in the tailgate or a panel on the central display, the ball neck, together with the socket for the trailer electrics, is swung out from under the car at the touch of a button and automatically fixed in the operating position. After use, it retracts into its rest position behind the bumper equally effortlessly. The trailer coupling has two extra bolts on the ball neck to carry a suitable cycle rack safely. Its load capacity is 100kg – this means that e-bikes can also be taken along.
The extended Trailer Manoeuvring Assist now works via a camera-based system and is thus also suitable for trailers with their own stabilisation device against rolling movements.
Exterior
A number of detailed changes to the exterior give the GLE SUV and GLE Coupé a distinctly more modern appearance. The new front bumper provides more visual presence. Two horizontal louvres with chrome inserts run through the radiator grille of the GLE. The grille of the outer air intakes has been given a horizontal chrome fin.
Designers have also revised the interior of the taillights: on the GLE, the light signet is formed by two horizontal blocks, on the GLE Coupé it is two bars.
The AMG Line exterior is now standard on the GLE Coupé. Elements of this line include the diamond grille with Mercedes-Benz pattern in chrome, the AMG front apron with chrome trim, AMG side sill panels and wheel arch cladding in the vehicle colour, as well as the AMG rear apron with diffuserlook insert.
Fresh additions to the colour palette of these two SUVs are sodalite blue metallic and MANUFAKTUR alpine grey solid.
Interior
New on board the GLE and GLE Coupé is the latest-generation steering wheel with sensor surfaces on the horizontal spokes.
A special eye-catching feature in the interior is the chrome look of the centre and side air vents. For the interior colours, the equipment combinations catalana beige/black (GLE SUV) and bahia brown/black (GLE SUV and GLE Coupé) have been added. The black/classic red appointments are available exclusively for the coupé.
Newly available as an optional extra is ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL. The system monitors air quality using air quality and fine particle sensors.
With the second generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, the GLE and GLE Coupé are now also up to date.
The voice assistant "Hey Mercedes" has also been made more interactive and capable of learning by activating online services in the Mercedes me App.
Powertrain
The engine range has been electrified throughout and includes mild hybrids with a 48-volt system and Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) as well as fourth-generation plug-in hybrids. Most models now have more power than the previous versions.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
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