New Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé and Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé.

The new GLE Coupé from Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG blends the sportiness and elegance of a coupé with the engineering of the new large premium-SUV model series from Mercedes-Benz. At the launch, powerful six-cylinder diesel engines in the form of the 350 d and 400 d (combined fuel consumption 8.0-7.5 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions 221-197 g/km)1 are initially available. Together with the new 4MATIC with torque on demand and the wheelbase 60 mm shorter than on the GLE SUV they ensure a pleasurably dynamic driving experience. The petrol version available at market launch is the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé (combined fuel consumption 9.3 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions 212 g/km)1. Preparations are under way for a plug-in-hybrid version with a practical, locally emission-free range as for the GLE SUV.

The new GLE Coupés from Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG are being presented to the public for the first time at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt (12.-22.09.2019). They will arrive at the dealerships in spring 2020.

The highlights of the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé

• The exterior design places a stronger emphasis on the coupé-specific elegance and sportiness.
• Improved aerodynamics cut the wind resistance by nine percent compared with the predecessor, with the same front surface.
• The chassis with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension and the E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL active suspension running on 48 V meets the most discerning requirements regarding vehicle dynamics and comfort on and off the road. It is specially tuned for vehicle dynamics, through to a more direct steering ratio than on the other cars in this model series.
• The interior with contemporary luxury of a sporty nature offers a more comfortable amount of space than the predecessor.
• The latest generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system is on board, with its intuitive operating structure and brilliant graphics with a high visual quality.
• The new six-cylinder in-line diesels from Mercedes-Benz offer power and motoring comfort.

The highlights of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé

• The AMG six-cylinder in-line engine with twin turbocharging and EQ-Boost achieves 320 kW (435 hp) and an additional temporary 16 kW (22 hp) of electric output. It also offers hybrid functions such as overrun mode.
• The AMG-specific radiator trim with 15 vertical fins ensures an autonomous appearance.
• AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL electro-mechanical roll stabilisation and continuously variable adjustable damping.
• AMG DYNAMIC SELECT with seven drive programs: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, Trail and Sand.
• The power transmission and suspension of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé are developments specially configured to the hallmark AMG performance and vehicle dynamics from Affalterbach.

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A coupé for heightened demands

The new GLE Coupé is a further example of the Mercedes-Benz strategy to address all the requirements of customers in the premium-SUV segment in a targeted manner. From a relatively small niche, the segment of SUCs, namely SUV coupés, has developed into a trend within a trend in no time. With the renewal of the premium-SUV family Mercedes-Benz is also putting the GLE Coupé on a new technical footing.

"The GLE Coupé blends the imposing power of an off-road vehicle with the emotively appealing sportiness and elegance of a coupé", says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Daimler AG. "The sensuous, reduced design idiom in combination with the extreme proportions creates a unique design statement."

Like the GLE and the GLS, as a member of the large premium-SUV family the GLE Coupé is being built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In total Mercedes-Benz now offers eight SUV models in the form of the GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, the G-Class and the new GLB. With currently around one third of sales, the SUVs are a major structural pillar in the Mercedes-Benz product portfolio, and greatly contribute to the growth of the brand. To date, more than six million customers around the world have opted for a Mercedes-Benz SUV.​

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Exterior design: powerful presence

The new GLE Coupé is a stately 4939 mm long and 2010 mm wide (39 mm longer and 7 mm wider than its predecessor). The wheelbase has grown by 20 mm compared with the predecessor, but remains 60 mm shorter than that of the GLE, which benefits its sporty handling as well as its appearance. The proportions thus emphasise the dynamics of the GLE Coupé.

The front view combines characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family with clear coupé attributes: the diamond radiator grille with the single horizontal louvre references the other coupés in the Mercedes-Benz range. The openings in the louvre, meanwhile, showcase the SUV character, as does the high-gloss chrome-plated underguard in the front apron. With the AMG Line the grille widens downwards in an A shape, and the pins in the diamond radiator grille are portrayed in chrome.​

The headlamps feature full-LED technology as standard.

The flatter-angled windscreen not only makes the vehicle look more dynamic; it is also a better match for the rear-sloping roof line and injects harmonious elegance. The edge beneath it is consciously softly styled and surface-accented and effectively highlights the large, flush wheels (19 to 22 inches). The black plastic claddings on the wheel wells (for AMG Line painted in vehicle colour) and the optional running board between them emphasise the SUV character.

The dynamism of the coupé line is especially evident from the rear design. Beneath the C-pillar a broad muscle protrudes from the surface of the vehicle side, starting in the rear side door and encompassing the rear lamps. This muscle lends the GLE Coupé its powerful, read-to-pounce look. Together with the slim and elongated rear lamps it highlights the width of the tail end. The autonomous, two-part rear lamps fit the characteristic day and night design of the Mercedes-Benz SUV rear lamps with their hallmark rounded blocks in a slim outline. The flush transition from the tailgate to the bumper, the licence plate in the bumper above the high-gloss chrome-plated underguard and the integrated tailpipe trim elements complete the synthesis of coupé and SUV.

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Interior design: coupé without constraints

The interior of the new GLE Coupé shares numerous common features with the other models in the new premium-SUV family with a clear emphasis on the sporty aspect. The modern cockpit with two large screens in the format 12.3 inches /31.2 cm and the strikingly shaped instrument panel, horizontally divided by a trim element tier, and seamlessly flowing into the door trim, appear familiar. The upper surface is covered in ARTICO man-made leather upholstery as standard in the GLE Coupé. The sporty emphasis comes courtesy of the standard sports seats, offering particularly good lateral support, with an ARTICO cover and the new sports steering wheel with a nappa leather rim, which is also standard in the coupé.

The SUV touch, meanwhile, is added by the high centre console with the dominant grab handles. The high-quality styling and processing of all surfaces and features and the impressive ergonomics convey a contemporary and luxurious impression. Of course, there are extensive opportunities for individualisation in the selection of decorative features and materials, which can take the sporty theme in the GLE Coupé to a whole new level and demonstrate the handcrafted quality of genuine luxury products. Leather/nappa leather seat covers and door panels in the colour combination classic red/black are exclusively available in the coupé.

As spacious as they come: custom work on the sports outfit

The line of the four-door coupé body has been deliberately more tightly tailored than on the GLE and offers tangibly more room than the predecessor, giving up to five occupants a comfortable amount of space. This is because the wheelbase is 60 mm shorter than on the GLE SUV, but 20 mm longer than in the previous coupé, and this extra benefits the occupants' seating and legroom. The entrance dimension has even been enlarged by 35 mm. In many places the new member of the family offers improvements to the interior dimensions, which add up to a significantly better sense of spaciousness. The capacity of the stowage spaces in the interior has been increased to a total of 40 litres. The sports suit features figure-hugging tailoring – but is a comfortable fit. The all-round view has also been improved and the optional sliding roof panel is larger too.

The boot is already generous in its standard state with 655 litres and in this position it conceals its load beneath a high-quality, folding and removable cover attached with magnets. The backrest of the rear seats which folds in a ratio of 40:20:40 increases the boot to up to 1790 litres – 70 litres more than in the predecessor and a best in this segment. It enlarges the level load space to over two metres in length and up to a minimum width of 1080 mm if required – both improvements of 87 and 72 mm respectively compared with on the predecessor. The loading sill is inherently higher than on conventional SUVs – but here too the new GLE Coupé is around 60 mm better than the previous model, and when equipped with AIRMATIC the tail end can even be lowered a further 50 mm at the press of a button.

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Contact us today at Marshall Mercedes-Benz to find out more the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé and Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé.