2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350
When tech matters more than engine size.
The 2020 GLE is about to hit the US showrooms in late spring 2019, and let me tell to all SUV buyers out there, wait for it! This new generation is absolutely ground breaking when it comes to technology. No wonder Mercedes-Benz skipped the 2019 year model and jump straight into 2020. The new infotainment system called MBUX is stunning to look at and I wondered how I lived before without the self driving capabilities offered in these kind of vehicles. Follow me on a photo reportage of the GLE features.
Latest Mercedes GLE-Class news and reviews:
This Drag Race Between The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S And The Maserati Levante GTS Has Left Us Befuddled!
It’s a new day and time for another drag race. This time, it’s the Maserati Levante GTS taking on the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and it’s come from ‘Sam CarLegion’. When you read the specs, both the SUVs are evenly matched. The German is more powerful, but it is also much heavier, thus nullifying the power advantage. However, once they hit the drag strip, it seemed like a lopsided race. Which SUV do you think won the races?
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Spotted in a Scandinavian Winter Wonderland
The 2022 Mercedes GLE has been spotted a number of times in the past, and this time, we found it playing in the Scandinavian snow. Oddly enough, it was sporting more camo than before. Very little will change as part of this facelift, but the current model has only been on the market for a few years (since 2019, to be exact), so this is more about freshening up an already decent package.
What will change, however, are in the subtle areas of the GLE. Expect revised headlights and taillights, a new grille, and probably different mesh behind the corner vents. The decoy grille on this model represents what you’ll probably see on the higher trim levels, although, the production version will feature a considerable amount of chrome. The hood, body sheel, and rear hatch should remain largely the same.
The interior of the 2022 GLE will see an updated version of the MBUX infotainment system, a new steering wheel, and perhaps a slight change in trim design and offering. The powertrain will also remain largely untouched, but there could be some minor tweaks to increase either power, efficiency or – in a perfect world – both. This means a choice of the 2.0-liter inline-four in the GLE 350 or the 3.0-liter inline-six with EQ boost in the GLE 450. The former will deliver at least 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque while the latter comes with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 mph happens in between 5.5 and 7.0 seconds.
Expect the updated GLE to debut sometime in the first few months of 2022, with sales to commence right away as a 2022 model.
2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S - Driven
Coupe versions of SUVs have been quite a hit in the U.S. in the recent years. Automakers are coming up with the sloping roofline versions of the mid-size and full-size SUVs and they are selling pretty well. Such is the demand that you can now have them even in the sportiest and the most luxurious avatar. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is a strong example of the same. It comes with a V-8 mill that puts out over 600 horsepower, is luxurious on the inside, and is loaded to the gills in terms of features. It faces stiff competition from the likes of the BMW X6 M and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo – is it any better than its German counterparts?
2022 Brabus 900 Rocket Edition
Brabus’ previous Rocket 900 program was based on the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S. Now, the same treatment was applied to the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe. And no, it is not because the SUV’s standard 603 horsepower are not enough, but because Brabus wants to continue its tradition of building the fastest cars in the world.
And now it’s time to meet the Brabus 900 Rocket Edition or, actually, the world’s fastest SUV!
2021 Brabus 800 - The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Receives The Brabus Treatment
Earlier this month, Brabus revealed its latest creation based on the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S coupé – the Brabus 800. The German tuner has given it a typical Brabus treatment. It comes with a black exterior, big wheels, oodles of carbon fiber elements and components, and of course, a power boost.
Watch The Lamborghini Urus Take On The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S And The BMW X6M Competition
The Urus has been a game-changer for Lamborghini since its inception. The automaker’s first SUV is practical and comes with supercar-like performance. While it may compete against the SUV offerings from the uber-luxurious automakers, it faces stiff competition even from vehicles that cost half as much as the Urus.
The folks at Throttle House put the Urus against the BMW X6M Competition and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63S. Will the Italian bull beat the Germans?
Mercedes GLE Coupe
The Mercedes GLE is everything you’d need in a vehicle. It looks handsome (if you’re into coupes, that is), feels premium on the inside, comes with tech features that will make nerds go weak in their knees, and powertrain options that will satisfy your adrenaline rush. On paper, every requirement is ticked well. But, it’s still not a complete package. The automaker left some rough edges that are glaringly evident, especially in the ride quality and ergonomics department. Will these prove to be deal-breakers, or can the overall package swerve your decision to choose it over the BMW X6 or the Audi SQ5? .
Battle of Brutes: AMG GLE 63, Audi RS Q8, and BMW X5 M Competition
Gone are the days when ‘performance’ was limited to the low-slung, two-door supercars from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren. Every segment today offers performance vehicles; be it hatches, pickup trucks, or SUVs. The folks at Throttle House decided to test out three of the best mid-size performance SUVs that you can buy today and here’s how they fare against each other.
2020 Mercedes GLE Sports Line Coupe by Wald International
The 2016-2019MY Mercedes GLE Coupe was a standout ride. Taking its roots from the GLE family that was born from the remnants of the departed ML-Class, the GLE Coupe looked the part of a proper coupe-SUV. Sadly, it didn’t perform like one, though that’s partly attributed to the presence of its AMG alter-egos: the GLE 63 Coupe and the GLE 63 S Coupe.
Still, the GLE Coupe remains a darling among Mercedes fans, crossover and SUV enthusiasts, and, in this case, aftermarket tuners. Ward International took a stab at creating an aftermarket package for the flashy Mercedes coupe-SUV, one that includes aesthetic improvements, performance upgrades, and, a flashy set of new wheels to boot. In other words, it’s a typical “Black Bison” project from the same tuner that gave birth to the name. The only caveat is that this isn’t a Black Bison kit; Wald instead calls it the Sports Line.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Ultimate HGLE by HOFELE
HOFELE has been in the customization business for almost four decades now. Based out of Donzdorf, Germany, the aftermarket company specializes in Mercedes-Benz models and has been doing so for a very long time. Right from the C-Class Coupe to the G-Wagon, the company has worked on all of them. This time, it has laid its hands on the GLE SUV. This model will be a part of Hofele’s ‘Ultimate’ Range and comes with noticeable changes on the outside as well as inside.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is a version of the fourth-generation GLE, introduced in 2019. The second generation of the coupe-style SUV, the 2020 GLE Coupe boasts a brand-new design, rides on a new platform, and features improved and new technology.
It’s also equipped with new engines that deliver better performance. Aimed initially at the BMW X6, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe also competes against recently introduced nameplates like the Audi Q8 and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. Let’s find out more about it and see how it compares to its rivals in the review below.
2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 is the high-performance version of the latest-generation GLE SUV. Redesigned from the ground up, it features a new exterior design that’s a bit bland, but the modern interior with state-of-the-art technology makes up for that. The most important update lurks under the hood, where Mercedes-Benz replaced the old 5.5-liter V-8 with the modern 4.0-liter V-8. Available with either 563 or 603 horsepower, it almost as powerful as the competition. The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 and the GLE 63 S will arrive in the United States by the end of 2020. Let’s find out more about this high-performance SUV in the review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-AMG GLE63.
2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S picture gallery
It was only a matter of time before Mercedes’ AMG division had its way with the Mercedes GLE SUV, and that day has come. Unveiled at the 2019 Los Angles Auto Show, the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S comes complete with a Panamerican-style grille, massive corner intakes, and the typical AMG exhaust outlets and diffuser. The interior is as luxurious as it gets in this segment and comes complete with plenty of AMG-specific styling cues like the infotainment system graphics, interior badges, and race-inspired, flat-bottom steering wheel.
Under the hood lurks the same 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 found in the larger Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, and it even delivers the same 602 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. It also has that EQ Boost starter-generator that pumps out 21 extra horses and 184 extra pound-feet of torque. The 4Matic AWD system can distribute torque between the axles as needed, so much so that it can even send 100-percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels.
The good news here, however, is that the GLE 63 is smaller, so it’s actually quicker in the 60-mph sprint than its bigger brother. While the GLS 63 S does the sprint in 4.1 seconds, the GLE 63 S will get you to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds – supercar speeds not that long ago. We’ve added a beautiful picture gallery to our slider above and the page below, so go ahead and drool a bit as you scroll through our images. Who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself a new desktop wallpaper.
The Mercedes GLE 350 DE Delivers Supercar-Levels of Torque in a Family-Friendly Package
Electric cars might be coming in hot to invade all the niches you can think of, but in areas with poor charging infrastructure or for people looking to leave the city more often, hybrids are an amazing proposition. Sure, the market isn’t short of these contraptions either, regardless of what segment you’re looking at. But, it’s not every day that you come up with a family car that packs hip-shattering levels of torque.
Enter the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 de 4Matic, a GLE derivative that produces a whopping 700 Nm (516 pound-feet) of torque out of a diesel-electric powertrain. You know you want to find out more about it, so keep on reading.
2020 Mercedes GLE Coupé Debuts with Two Diesel Versions, Hotter AMG Variant
Roughly one year after Stuttgart unveiled the 2020 GLE, it’s time for the sloping-roof, coupé-wannabe version of the SUV to officially show its face online as the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé. It is also joined by its AMG-badged brother with a heftier affinity for performance, so let’s see what exactly are they bringing to the table.
Before we do that, however, it’s worth mentioning that the new GLE Coupé arrives at a time when the SUV-coupé niche is heading to a boiling point. BMW has just released the new-generation X6 and so did Porsche with the first-ever Cayenne Coupé; both or them are coming to join the likes of Audi Q8 and Ranger Rover Velar - with the mention that the classy Velar is by far the least hunchbacked of the bunch.
Mercedes Just Broke Up the AMG GLE53 and GLE63 Twins In a Weird Way
Mercedes-Benz is not above everyone when it comes to throwing curveballs that no one sees coming. Well, it just landed a heater with the debut of the Mercedes-Benz GLE 580, the new king of the GLE lineup, unseating the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 for the throne. The new GLE 580 is essentially a non-AMG crossover on steroids. It features Mercedes’ tried-and-tested 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine that’s further boosted by a 48-volt mild hybrid electrical system. It’s the same setup you see in the GLS 580, further expanding the reach of Merc’s new electrically boosted V-8 engine. More importantly, the GLE 580 elevates the ceiling of the GLE lineup. It now sits at the top of the lineup, at least until the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 arrives. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 will hit dealerships later this year and will carry a starting price of $76,800.
Here’s How Mercedes Will Bridge the Gap Between the Mercedes-AMG 53 and the GLE 63
Mercedes’ SUV stable is about to get just a little bit more fleshed out, as rumor has it the German brand is working on a new addition to the GLE lineup that’s set to slot in between the GLE 53 and the immensely powerful, yet to be announced GLE 63. It might be called the GLE 580, and it could drop sometime very soon.
2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE53
Mercedes unveiled the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show as the most potent six-cylinder GLE that you can buy. It has over 400 horsepower, a performance- and efficiency-enhancing mild hybrid system, and sporty AMG touches to go with the extra shot of electrified performance. As with all AMG 53-badged models, the GLE53 is powered by Mercedes’ new straight-six engine with two turbochargers. It’s essentially the same unit found in the AMG 43-branded models, the difference being the extra oomph provided by the mild hybrid. And, since it’s the fastest and most powerful model in the range that doesn’t have a V-8, it is very well equipped and features unique AMG design touches.
Mercedes has so far not announced or revealed an AMG 63 version of the all-new GLE, so until then; this GLE53 4Matic+ is the best performing model in the lineup. In fact, Mercedes hasn’t even mentioned a hot, twin-turbo, V8-powered GLE yet, so it might not even make one - Mercedes has also done this for the CLS, a car that can no longer be had with a V-8.
The 453-Horsepower 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 is Proof You Don’t Need a Sports Car to Have Fun
In a relentless pursuit of releasing as many performance SUVs as possible, AMG revealed an all-new brute called the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4Matic+. The mid-size performance SUV effectively replaces the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GLE 43 4Matic+, and it will be unveiled at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. The higher number in its name designates a more powerful engine, a super responsive electric auxiliary compressor, and an EQ Boost starter-alternator motor.
Tobias Moers, Mercedes-AMG CEO confirmed the AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ association with the performance with these words:
“As the inventors of the performance SUV, it is important to us to continue to be at the top with the new generation of the GLE when it comes to innovations, driving dynamics, individuality, and design.”
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350
The 2020 GLE is about to hit the US showrooms in late spring 2019, and let me tell to all SUV buyers out there, wait for it! This new generation is absolutely ground breaking when it comes to technology. No wonder Mercedes-Benz skipped the 2019 year model and jump straight into 2020. The new infotainment system called MBUX is stunning to look at and I wondered how I lived before without the self driving capabilities offered in these kind of vehicles. Follow me on a photo reportage of the GLE features.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350’s Infotainment System Has Countless Options and the Digital Instrument Cluster is Just as Good
We recently had a go with the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, and suffice to say, the infotainment system is dense. There are menus upon menus to scroll through, with options offered for customization of just about every vehicle parameter imaginable - and a few we’d never dream of. Which begs the question - at what point is it all just too much?
The First Video Reviews of the 2020 Mercedes GLE SUV Are In
Mercedes is a manufacturer that really seems to love its high-riding SUVs, so much so that it basically has one for every size class of vehicle it sells, from A-Class-sized to S-Class, and its second largest offering is the GLE. An all-new GLE was recently revealed, and journos have had a chance to try it out. While most seem to just spend a bit too much time playing with the bouncy, active suspension, the new GLE is a serious contender in its segment.
Did We Nail This Rendering of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63?
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Throws a Party Ahead of Paris Debut
Mercedes has a strong presence at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, and one of its main offerings is the GLE-Class SUV. The SUV’s unveiling took place at the Hotel Molitor as part of the German automaker’s “Meet Mercedes” event. More than 400 guests were on-hand to witness the GLE’s world première, becoming the first group of people to see Mercedes’ new luxury SUV in the flesh. As a new model, the GLE is bringing a lot to the SUV table, including a new operating concept, a new engine lineup, and a suite of innovative driver assistance systems. The SUV will hit dealerships in the U.S. and Europe sometime in early 2019. Pricing details will be revealed closer to its launch date.
Exclusive: We Caught the 2019 Mercedes GLE in the Wild for the First Time Without Camo
We caught the new 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE for the first time ever without camo. It appeared at the streets of Paris, only hours before the start of the Paris Motor Show. Of course, we took some photos. I can tell you now that this is what Mercedes-Benz probably prepared for the unveiling at the Paris Motor Show that starts tomorrow.
Out photographer in Paris noticed that this very 2019 GLE is actually the GLE 400E. That’s new. Up until this point Mercedes-Benz granted us with the studio photos of the GLE 450 4MATIC with EQ Boost.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Vs. 2019 BMW X5
Please welcome the heavyweight SUV showdown. This is the Mercedes-Benz GLE versus the BMW X5. No, you will not find out which one is better, nor will I suggest you get one over the other. You will, however, find out how two of the most astounding SUVs of today stack one against another. How do they differ? Do they bring anything new? How cool are they?
I am well aware that many hate SUVs because they find them too flamboyant and too aggressive for the world we live in, but the matter of the fact is that SUVs have become a staple of car design, leaders of technology development, and models that make a lot of money. Every SUV you buy fuels a bit of money into the development of the really cool stuff. So, as far as I’m concerned, you should buy them as much as possible.
With the recent introduction of the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, SUV fandom becomes even richer.
Mercedes GLE vs Audi Q7
Midsize SUVs and crossovers are hugely desirable these days, even more so if they wear a premium badge like Mercedes’ all-new GLE does. But being so desirable also means that all manufacturers want as big a slice of the market to themselves as possible, and these models have become increasingly talented in recent years, so it’s a hugely competitive segment.
The GLE is all-new for 2019, so the engineers and designers behind it have had time to study the previous model and models already on sale, learn from them, and try to improve. Once such very talented rival is the Audi Q7 which, in its current generation (introduced in 2016,) is arguably one of the best vehicles in its class, even if it’s by no means a flamboyant effort.
Despite being direct rivals, the two adopt very different styles both inside and out, offering visually different solutions to the problem of creating a modern midsize SUV.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Just a few years have passed since the GLE first hit the scene, but Merc isn’t waiting around to usher in a new generation for the 2019 model year. Bringing revamped, off-roader-inspired styling, a new interior design, a vast array of tech-heavy features, an updated engine line, and a new 48-volt mild hybrid system, the latest GLE is locked and loaded to take on the mid-size luxury SUV segment, with rivals like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 set squarely in the brand’s crosshairs.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Love It or Leave It - The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Introduced in 2015, the GLE nameplate is only three years old as of 2018. However, the vehicle that received the badge is already seven years old in 2018, a major issue with a brand-new BMW X5 in showrooms. Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz acted fast, and a new-generation midsize SUV was launched for the 2020 model year. It’s the first brand-new crossover to sport the "GLE" badge, and it’s loaded with as much technology as its sedan counterpart, the E-Class. Here’s what we think about it.
This Rendering of a 2020 Mercedes GLE Coupe Has Us Itching For The Real Thing
Coming from the rendering bakery of X-Tomi design, the latest 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe looks the business. If I didn’t know better, I would definitely think that this is the real deal - the new GLE Coupe. X-Tomi did a nice job, but it seems, not a comprehensive one. The photography of the new GLE Coupe he chose to retouch needed only a small portion of the rear end of the car transferred into the shape of a coupe. Ok, I say “only,” but I am sure, I would not be able to do it right in a month. So, kudos to X-Tomi. Yet, the GLE Coupe is a prospect in the near future of Mercedes-Benz. Personally, I hope it will not have that shouty nature of its predecessor.
12 Things You Have To Know About The New 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes-Benz is going on an all-out SUV onslaught. Not only did it reveal the fascinating 2020 EQC electric SUV only a week ago, but now, the company is showing us the first photographs and revealing facts about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE - a mid-sized luxury SUV that evolved all the way from 1997 when Mercedes-Benz started the trend with the ML. Honestly, I liked the ML name the most, and I’d prefer if that name remained the official designation for the car. Nevertheless, I made my peace with the GLE and now, I find the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE to be the best ML yet. As with every Mercedes-Benz, even before the company unveils the new car, we all have certain expectations. First, it has to be cutting edge in some sense. Secondly, it has to look appealing. Thirdly, it has to pack technology like no other similar car on earth.
This is a living hell for Mercedes-Benz engineers as the whole world has basically the same expectations. Yet, they deliver. Like every single time.
I compiled here a list of reasons that tell you why everyone should be amazed by the new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, a car so advanced that only five years ago we’d probably think it’s a piece of alien technology. Be it Borg, Worlon, or Mon Calamari.
Before Mercedes-Benz officially pulls the sheets off it at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, learn here about many extraordinary features of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz ML. Sorry, I meant the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE. An honest mistake.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Unveiled
Mercedes-Benz just spilled the beans on its brand-new 2020 GLE, revealing specs and pics of the luxury SUV’s latest and greatest bits and pieces. Let’s begin with the exterior, where we find the GLE is now even more SUV-like than before. Complementing the new look is a host of chrome embellishments, while intelligent LED lighting illuminates the way forward. The new looks is also functional, as the aero now slices through the atmosphere with a Cd of 0.29, a figure Merc claims as best-in-class. Under the flared arches, you’ll find wheel sizing ranging between 19 and 22 inches in diameter.
The latest GLE also adds 3 inches to the wheelbase, which helps substantially with regard to passenger room. New for 2020 is six-way electric adjustability for passengers in the second row, plus 12.3-inch infotainment screens as standard with crisp 720p resolution. What’s more, the onboard systems now support gesture control, and offer semi-autonomous features like Active Stop-and-Go Assist, Active Brake Assist, and Cross-Traffic Assist.
Under the hood, the base model GLE comes equipped with a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder, which is turbocharged to produce upwards of 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Next in line is a turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder making 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. If you want even more of the go stuff, Merc is also sure to release the high-powered 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 very shortly. A 4Matic AWD system makes the grip.
Finally, the GLE comes with new E-Active Body Control active suspension system with a mild-hybrid 48-volt power source to keep it all shiny side up.
Look for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE to make its big public debut at the Paris Motor Show this coming October, with an on-sale date slated for sometime next year.
Here’s the 2019 Mercedes GLE Before You’re Supposed to See It
The Mercedes-Benz GLE debuts in less than a month at the Paris Motor Show, but you get to see it even sooner thanks to these leaked images courtesy of Russian outlet Autoreview.ru. This specific model looks like it’s on its way for transport, possibly to Paris in preparation for its world debut. It features very little camo or padding, with nothing more than white tape on the headlights and taillights and some tape covering the emblems. Mercedes can try to hide it, but we know what this thing really is. It does resemble that resent teaser image that was released, but it also looks a lot more like a facelift than a generational model if you actually look at it closely.
Be that as it may, Mercedes seems to have a lot planned for the 2019 GLE. The interior should get a fairly healthy update while all engine options should be offered with at least a hint of extra power. We expect to see a two-speed transfer case on all-wheel-drive models, but rear-wheel-drive models should also be available. Don’t hold out for a manual transmission, though, as word has it that the 2019 Mercedes GLE will only be offered with a nine-speed automatic. The new model should incorporate off-road suspension equipment, at least as an option, as Mercedes really has to keep up with Range Rover this time around. With that in mind, expect entry-level models to boast around 310 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V-6, while the range-topping AMG GLE63 will pump out incredible amounts of power from a hand-built, 4.0-liter, V-8.
Anyway, for now, go ahead and enjoy the few pictures we have in the gallery below. You never know when Mercedes will request the be removed so don’t waste any time and be sure to check out our speculative review on the 2019 Mercedes GLE and the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 to help scratch the itch while you wait for the Paris Motor Show to kick off.
New Teaser Shows the 2019 Mercedes GLE with Some CLS DNA
A full update for Mercedes-Benz’s mid-size luxury SUV is well on its way, and Merc is building hype with an extremely brief teaser vid that gives us a glimpse at the GLE’s new
inspired headlights.
Continue reading for the full story.
2017 Mercedes GLE Coupe CLR G800 By Lumma Design
Lumma Design has made quite a name for itself by developing aftermarket programs for premium SUVs in the market. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the German tuner work on models like the BMW X6 and X6 M, Range Rover Sport, and Jaguar F-Pace. It’s an impressive list that just got a little more impressive with the presentation of Lumma’s new tuning kit for the Mercedes GLE Coupe that features an extensive list of upgrades on the coupe SUV, including power enhancements that give the GLE Coupe – in this instance, the 450 AMG – an impressive output of 449 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque.
Some of you might think that the power gains aren’t all that impressive since the GLE family has AMG variants, including the AMG GLE 63. You’d be right in a sense, but it also doesn’t paint the full picture of the versatility of this particular model and how Mercedes was able to create a lineup of GLE Coupes that differentiate themselves effectively from one another.
The GLE 450 AMG Coupe for example slots in quite nicely as an entry level AMG model that’s best offered for customers who aren’t too keen on going the full performance route with the AMG GLE 63. In fact, Lumma’s CLR G800 program for the 450 AMG is able to bridge that power and performance gap between the two variants, ensuring that owners of the lower rung GLE Coupe can have their cake and eat them too. It may not get all the way there as the AMG GLE 63 Coupe still packs 557 horsepower, but at least it’s in the ballpark.
Add all the cosmetic and aerodynamic enhancements that are also included in the CLR G800 kit and you get a program that’s actually quite appealing for owners of the GLE 450 AMG Coupe.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Mercedes GLE 450 AMG Coupe CLR G800 by Lumma Design.
2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE 43 By Brabus
Raise your hand if you’re still not used to seeing the Mercedes GLE Coupe? I hate to admit it, but I count myself in this group and a big part of that was seeing the BMW X6 for so long and not having a rival coming from the Silver Arrows. But finally in 2015, seven years after the X6 was unveiled, Mercedes launched the GLE Coupe. Why the quick history lesson, you ask? Its because the GLE Coupe is one of the most relevant crossovers/SUVs in the premium crossover/SUV market today and it’s also become the apple of the aftermarket industry’s eye.
Take Brabus for example. The German tuner is famous for being one of the best Mercedes tuners in the game. It has a program for just about every Mercedes model in the market today, and not surprisingly, it’s already prepared two unique tuning kits for the GLE, one being the GLE 63S and the other being the GLE 850. So what does Brabus do now that it has these programs in the mix? It develops a third program, that’s what.
This new kit is specific to the AMG GLE 43 Coupe, the little brother to the AMG GLE 63. In keeping with the spirit of a Brabus-tuned Mercedes, the AMG GLE 43 Coupe gets a load of refinements covering a few surfaces of the coupe SUV. Yes, it even has interior upgrades. They’re not much, but they still count for something, right?
The real highlight though is Brabus’ 410 kit, which you can imagine gets really busy on the AMG GLE 43’s 3.0-liter biturbo V-6 engine, bringing out a total output of 404 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. There’s more to the kit than what I’ve mentioned, which is why now’s the perfect time to take a look at all details.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Mercedes-AMG GLE 43 Coupe by Brabus
2017 Mercedes-AMG GLE43
Mercedes’ mid-size luxury SUV, the GLE-Class, started life in 1997 as the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. The five-door crossover received two generational updates since its initial debut, the first of which was issued in 2005. The third gen arrived in 2011, and four years later, Mercedes gave it a facelift, revealing the update in January at the North American International Auto Show. With the facelift came a name change, with the M-Class badge retired in favor of GLE-Class, per Mercedes’ revamped naming strategy. Now, for the 2017 model year, Mercedes is replacing the GLE400 and GLE450 AMG with the new AMG GLE43. Essentially the same five-passenger performance SUV as the outgoing GLE450 AMG, the AMG GLE43 is framed as a stylish, high-tech, relatively quick SUV, with a dollop of family-oriented practicality and autonomous safety features spread on top.
The AMG GLE43 joins its slightly slimmer sibling, the GLE43 coupe, in Mercedes’ ever-expanding AMG lineup. In case you were unaware, AMG is essentially Mercedes’ in-house tuning division, similar in purpose to BMW’s M division.
For 2017, AMG will be celebrating 50 years of making fast Mercedes vehicles even faster, with plans of offering no less than 34 different AMG-branded models for the new model year. Included in the list is a host or performance SUVs, including the GLE43 featured here.
Traditionally, AMG models are the bad boys of the Mercedes stable, offering barely contained race-inspired dynamics that make you question just how street legal they really are. However, these days, those three little letters are tossed around a little more generously, which begs the question – is this crossover worthy of an AMG badge?
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-AMG GLE43.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d By Chrometec
The Mercedes GLE Coupe may very well be the most appealing model Mercedes has in its lineup (at least in my eyes that is), but even that doesn’t exempt it from getting some aftermarket love. That’s precisely the case here as German tuner Chromatic, known for its tuning programs for Mercedes models, has presented its aftermarket take on the GLE Coupe 350d. The result, among other things, is an increased output of 300 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
In addition to the work Chrometec put into the GLE’s 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine, the tuner is also offering plenty of chrome and carbon options for the SUV’s exterior. Customers can opt to have certain panels of the GLE finished in either chrome or carbon to add to the appeal of the vehicle. A new rear spoiler is also available, as is a set of wheels from wheel specialist Concave.
Taken piece by piece, Chrometec’s program isn’t going to excite anybody. But put them all together and the narrative turns to a unique kit for the GLE that certain owners can get behind.
Continue after the jump to read the full review.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Inferno by TopCar
When BMW launched the X6 back in 2008, many thought that Mercedes-Benz would be quick to follow with a model of its own. Turns out, the three-pointed star was more than content to give the X6 an unimpeded run, thinking that it would run its course in due time. Well, for better or for worse, the X6 lives on. In fact, it has actually become one of BMW’s most important SUVs, something Mercedes finally admitted when it launched the GLE-Class in 2015, seven years after X6 broke cover.
As long overdue as the GLE’s arrival was, aftermarket companies evidently didn’t mind it one bit. In the short time that it’s been around, a handful of tuners have already built programs for different variants of the coupe-SUV. Wheelandmore has one. Mansory has one. Brabus has two. Even Topcar, the Russian tuner that’s made a business of tuning Porsches and naming their programs with weirdly affectionate names, is getting in on the fun.
Its kit, appropriately dubbed the Inferno, comes with all the bells and whistles of a comprehensive tuning program, including an aero kit, a spruced-up interior, and plenty of engine modification options that cover a significant population of the GLE family. Granted, it’s not the most powerful GLE program we’ve seen, nor is it the most audacious to look at. But it is complete, right down to the wheel options and the crocodile leather.
Those things count for something, especially when you’re dealing with a vehicle that still has that figurative "new car smell" label attached to it.
Continue after the jump to read the full review.
2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 By Mansory
The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 has arguably had one of the most eventful few months of any model in the aftermarket business. In the span of four months, we’ve seen a handful of high-profile tuning firms release programs for the high-performance coupe-SUV. Brabus was the first to do it at the 2015 Dubai Motor Show. Wheelsandmore followed suit in December 2015 and then, at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, we saw two more tuning firms present their own kits for the AMG GLE 63. One was Russian tuner TopCar. The other comes from its German counterpart, Mansory.
Yes, Mansory had a huge presence at Geneva and, while its most outlandish work was reserved for the 4XX Siracusa 488 GTB, this kit for the AMG GLE 63 is arguably the one that’s going to get the most mileage because of the popularity of the model it’s based on. The reality is that while we’ve been flooded with new kits for the AMG GLE 63, there still aren’t that many to choose from.
This particular kit isn’t as flamboyant as some of Mansory’s previous works, but it’s still bodacious enough to get the attention it deserves. The German tuner once again relied on its tried-and-true formula of providing upgrades to the vehicle’s exterior, interior, and engine, adding enough on each section to make it stand out compared to the standard AMG GLE 63, or any other tuning program that’s out on the market today.
Continue after the jump to rad the full story.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Inferno By TopCar
The 2016 Geneva Motor Show is just around the corner and many automakers and aftermarket companies are in the final preparations for their respective displays at the world’s biggest auto show. Russian tuner Topcar has already announced its attendance in Geneva and its plan to bring three models to the show. Two of these models, the Porsche 991 Turbo S Stinger GTR and Porsche Cayenne Vantage, are the latest iterations in a long line of programs bearing the Stinger and Vantage names. The other one, the Mercedes GLE Coupe Inferno, is new to the family and will make its official debut in Geneva.
Like most of its programs, TopCar enhanced the GLE Coupe with a systematic body kit comprised of close to 20 unique components. That’s old hat for a company known to build some pretty exotic kits in the past. But this one’s different, partly because it’s the first kit TopCar has built for the GLE Coupe. The company has made no such announcements on any performance upgrade, but if its history of programs are any indication, expect one to be installed into the GLE Coupe’s engine, likely the more powerful 3.0-liter V-6. I don’t foresee any surprises coming out of TopCar as far as the engine mods are concerned, at least not to the extent of what fellow Mercedes tuner Brabus did when it presented its own GLE program - the Brabus 850 - at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
In any event, we’re going to learn more about TopCar’s Inferno program when it hits the showcase floor at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. In the meantime, check out what it did with all those aerodynamic upgrades.
Continue after the jump to read the review.
The Mercedes GLE-Class is a relative neophyte in the SUV game, having only made its debut at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The GLE-Class takes the reigns from the M-Class as Mercedes’ resident mid-size SUV, bringing with it a new name and a renewed commitment towards becoming the best in its segment. Only a few months after the GLE’s debut, Mercedes pulled the covers off of its high-performance variant, the GLE 63 AMG.
With the GLE 63 AMG already out in the wild, aftermarket tuners are lining up to get their hands on the macho coupe-SUV. That includes Wheelsandmore, which actually already has a kit lined up for the GLE 63 AMG. The kit doesn’t have a name, which is somewhat surprising, but fancy nicknames notwithstanding, Wheelsandmore has once again lived up to its billing as one of the most thought-out tuners in the business.
The kit for the GLE 63 AMG follows the traditional tuning blueprint of the German tuner. It doesn’t have any exterior and interior modifications, but it does have comprehensive engine and wheel upgrades that bring a whole new face to the mid-size SUV. If people have ever wondered what the GLE 63 AMG can become if it ripped off its shirt and revealed itself to be a monster, it would probably look a lot like what Wheelsandmore did to it. Yes, the German tuner has turned the GLE 63 AMG into something akin to the Incredible Hulk. It’s an angry green monster with a lot of rage within it.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes GLE 63 AMG by Wheelsandmore.
Brabus is taking center stage at the 2015 Dubai Motor Show with yet another tuning kit for one of Mercedes’ newest models. Coinciding with the unveiling of the Mercedes S63 AMG Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition, the German tuner has now pulled the covers off of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63S - 700.
The new tuning program is for the GLE 63, Merc’s first offering to a coupe-SUV segment currently populated by the likes of BMW X6 and the Porsche Cayenne. The GLE has yet to gain the following that it’s competitors have had in years, but Mercedes, and Brabus by extension, hope to change that with programs like this one.
On its face, the B63S - 700 checks all the required boxes of a comprehensive program. It has cosmetic upgrades, aerodynamic improvements, and engine enhancements. It even has a suspension update, which goes to show how detailed this kit really is.
In the midst of all the changes made to the GLE 63, I still get the feeling that Merc’s coupe SUV still has to earn its keep. This Brabus program certainly gives it a little bit of credibility. But, that currency will only remain valid for as long as the GLE 63 is relevant. It’s too early to say how popular it’s going to be, but right now, it still has a lot of miles to cover before it can catch up with its more established rivals.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63S By Brabus.
For anyone who might have been confused that Mercedes-Benz decided to build a GLE 450 AMG Coupe but skipped over the regular GLE, here is the answer to your question. The third in the line of 450-badged AMG products, the GLE 450 AMG offers an alternative to those who want an AMG-ified GLE, but aren’t sold on the beast that is the 63-badged version of the GLE. This makes a good deal of business sense, as there is a fairly massive gap in prices between even more well-appointed trims of the mainstream GLE version and the lower 63 AMG trim.
The new vehicle isn’t quite as extreme as its 63-badged brother, both in terms of horsepower and looks. But it does fill a hole in the lineup in that way that German automakers love to do. And since it is so closely related to the GLE 450 AMG Coupe, there is a lot less mystery about how it drives than there would be if it were an entirely new model. It’s not a sluggish car by any means, but it is less about speed than it is about having a more stylish vehicle than the standard GLE. Those who want speed have the GLE 63 AMG.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe hasn’t been the best-received of vehicles. It’s another of those vehicles that tries so hard to fit into so many different niches that it doesn’t get any of them quite right. But Brabus knows that people will be willing to overlook a lot in the name of insane amounts of power, and if anyone can crank that kind of power out of the GLE Coupe, it is definitely Brabus. The new creation is given the name 850, the same as several other Brabus creations that are based off of 63-badged Mercedes products.
What makes the GLE Coupe 850 different from the other Brabus 850 products is that the base vehicle isn’t an AMG, as there is no AMG version of the GLE Coupe, at least not yet. The GLE63 S still uses the same engine as 63-badged AMG products, and it still costs nearly twice as much as the base model, but it isn’t quite as visually attention-grabbing as an AMG. So the GLE Coupe 850 might come as more of a shock than other 850 models. And yet, for all of the shocking craziness of the exterior, it is a surprisingly refined and civilized cabin.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes GLE Coupe 850 By Brabus.
Sporty crossovers are weird things. Even though most people have now abandoned the pretense that these machines will ever go off-road, it still seems vaguely unnatural for something so high off of the ground to be going fast, especially around corners. So if the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (which is not a coupe at all, it’s a four-door crossover) was built by any other company, that company might struggle to convince anyone to think of it as sporty. But Mercedes-Benz does not have this problem, because Mercedes-Benz can just call Lewis Hamilton.
The reigning Formula 1 world champion won the last season behind the wheel of a Mercedes, and now he’s in an ad, telling us that the GLE Coupe is sporty enough to satisfy even his unnaturally high standards for excitement. This is probably a bit of a stretch, but it’s far from being the most absurd claim to have ever been made in an advertisement, and Hamilton’s driving (assuming that it is Hamilton driving, but it would be pretty odd if it wasn’t) does a good job of showing off how well the car can handle when pushed.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is a hit-or-miss kind of crossov… err.. coup… err… whatever the hell you want to call it. Some may find it the perfect vehicle for their lifestyle of hauling oddly shaped cargo, while others may consider it a model that answers not a single need. Regardless of how you may feel about it, folks must enjoy these models as they keep on coming, and they are even arriving with special packages, like the GLE Coupe’s Night Package.
Despite its odd proportions and funky looks, the GLE Coupe is entering a strange time in the world of luxury crossovers. In this world, vehicles are becoming increasingly niche-oriented, resulting in models like the BMW X4, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, the BMW X6, the Range Rover Evoque, and the upcoming Audi Q Junior.
The Night Package does little to change the polarizing looks of the GLE Coupe. Instead, it adds just a touch of specialness by way of high-gloss-black mirror caps and grille louvers. This package is available with any of the GLE Coupe’s 11 exterior colors.
There is no mention of Mercedes limiting this package to any particular model within the GLE Coupe lineup, but I have a feeling that the AMG model will not have it available. This means that this package can have powertrains ranging from a 3.0-liter diesel V-6 with 258 horsepower to a 3.0-liter gasoline-fueled V-6 with 333 horsepower.
Pricing for the Night Package is unknown, but I wouldn’t expect more than a few hundred dollars.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Night Package.
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With sales of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe set to commence later this summer, production of the odd-looking, coupe-like SUV kicked off this week. Introduced at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, the first customer-ready versions of the GLE Coupe started rolling off the assembly line at Mercedes-Benz’s Tuscaloosa, AL plant, which just happens to be a five-hour drive from the Greer, SC assembly plant where the GLE Coupe’s main rival, the BMW X6, is built.
Love it or hate it, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe will be an interesting addition to the luxury SUV landscape when it hits dealerships, but Mercedes has yet to reveal final pricing or fuel economy ratings. Look for the GLE-Class Coupe to start somewhere in the mid-$60,000 range, considering that this model is a more style-driven version of the GLE-Class – the recently introduced replacement for the M-Class, which started at $48,300 for the 2015 model year.
The GLE Coupe will be assembled alongside the C-Class sedan as well as the GLE-Class and GLS-Class SUVs. Mercedes-Benz is referring to this year as its “year of the SUV,” and the sales numbers back that up as its SUV sales are already up about 32 percent through the first quarter of 2015.
Continue reading to learn more about the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
Besides the GLE, Mercedes-Benz has also unveiled the AMG version for this mid-size SUV, which also brings a change in nomenclature along with the mid-cycle facelift. The new GLE63 is more powerful than it’s predecessor, the ML63 AMG,.
The standard model is called GLE63 (not to be confused with the S version), just like its Coupe brethen. Powered by an engine as powerful as the old ML63 AMG with the optional Performance Package, the 2016 GLE63 is different than the model it replaces in some ways and is exactly the same in others. I say this because, for the first time in three generations, the AMG version for the mid-size premium SUV has gone through a truly massive transformation during the model’s refresh, while also keeping some of the features that made it famous.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63.
About to surpass 1.6 million units sold since the first generation arrived in 1997, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class is one of the most successful premium SUVs in the world. Launched in 2011, the third-generation M-Class introduced a number of innovations compared to its two predecessors, most of them regarding active safety, comfort features and improved fuel economy. Almost four years later, the mid-size SUV has received a thorough mid-cycle facelift that also incorporates a name-change, to align the model with the latest Mercedes-Benz nomenclature.
The German carmaker has recently rearranged its lineup naming scheme, with almost all its SUVs designations to include the "GL" moniker, followed by a letter that facilitates each model’s orientation in the lineup. The only SUV excluded from the renaming decision is the venerable G-Class. With that in mind, the M-Class has now become the GLE-Class, so let’s see if the mid-life refresh and name-change have resulted in a better model.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE.
The 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 found in almost every 63 AMG model will be phased out starting with 2016. That’s not a surprising decision considering that the bonkers 6.2-liter V-8 was also ousted for not being in line with fuel economy levels set by modern turbocharged engines. The replacement is slated to be the internally codenamed M157, a 4.0-liter V-8, and it’s destined for engine bays across the entire Mercedes range.
Essentially a twin-turbocharged and direct-injected variant of the older 5.5-liter V-8 found in the mid-2000s on just about every "500" model, the M157 delivers between 536 horsepower and 577 horsepower in select Mercedes-Benz models sporting the "63 AMG" moniker. The only exception is the all-new Mercedes-AMG C63, which is the first "63" variant to get the new 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 also found in the Mercedes-AMG GT.
The M157 was initially introduced back in 2011 on the S63 and CL63 AMG. Afterwards it was rolled out on pretty much every large Mercedes-AMG model in the lineup. Even though it offers more torque and much better fuel economy than the now-legendary M156 6.2-liter V-8, the new 4.0-liter V-8 replacement will bring even better performance and efficiency numbers, along with an improved throttle response. The last all-new model to get the 5.5-liter will be the convertible version of the S63 AMG Coupe, with its reveal being due in 2016. Every large AMG model introduced after that will get the 4.0-liter V-8 with the so-called "hot vee" positioning of its turbochargers.
Click past the jump to read more about Mercedes-AMG’s new V-8 engine.
2015 is almost upon us, car lovers, and TopSpeed has one last post to close out the year that was 2014! As this little blue green ball we all inhabit completes yet another revolution around that warm spot of fusing hydrogen hanging in the sky, we tend to revert back to the time-honored tradition of summarizing a few of the big events that transpired over the course of the year. It’s a crossroads, a time to bask in the glory of past wins, as well as learn from prior mistakes in a bid to avoid such blunders in the future.
In many ways, 2014 was a time of great change and rebirth, with both exciting successes and catastrophic failures laced throughout. We’ve seen the glorious return of heroes like the Dodge Challenger, plus the emergence of exciting new technology like in the Toyota Mirai. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen a glut of niche vehicles stretched thin between a variety of purposes, like the Mercedes GLE Coupe, as well as fatal corporate mistakes in a record-breaking year for automotive recalls.
Usually, we’re a glass-half-full kind of crowd, so we’re tempted to say, overall, this most recent spin around the sun yielded a net gain for the automotive world. Perhaps, but we suppose that’s still open for debate. Regardless, it’s been a mixed bag, no doubt about that. But don’t fret: we’re here to tie it up into one neat package for you.
Click past the jump to read our list of highs and lows from 2014.
While our 10 Best Cars of 2014 article was written to focus on the most newsworthy cars launched in the past year from a positive point of view, we figured that the circle could only be complete if we also take a look at some of the not-so-good vehicles that became part of our world in 2014. Obviously, the presence of some cars on the following list will probably anger a good amount of keyboard warriors and/or diehard fans out there, but that usually goes with the territory and you can’t please every reader every time.
As most of you know, no matter how much soul and poetry a carmaker exudes for some people, the automotive industry is just that, an industry. Industries, like every other business, are here to make money, because otherwise they would simply cease to exist sooner or later. Since marketing is a pretty big part of almost every business’ success, a lot of carmakers rely on intangible details such as brand or model image to sell their products, especially when talking about niche cars.
That is exactly where a lot of them go wrong sometimes, when newly-introduced cars don’t necessarily tick all the right boxes, or at least the minimum required in their brand DNA. From some points of view, this results in a bad car, while from others it simply means that one or more entities that helped to develop said car didn’t do a very good job at some point. Either way, the following list is in no way a professionally-made or objective one and each of the cars on it may very well become a best-seller and a huge success in the future.
With that being said, click past the jump to read more about the 10 Worst Cars Of 2014.
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
BMW invented the coupe crossover segment back in 2009, and it has since been the supreme leader of that niche with the X6. As more and more automakers are considering building coupe-like crossovers, it’s become clear that the X6 will no longer be all alone in this niche in a couple of years, but up until now Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer that has actually released a competitor. Stuttgart confirmed there was a coupe crossover based on the M-Class underway at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show, when it unveiled the Concept Coupe SUV. Eight months have passed since then, and Mercedes went on to launch the production version of the said concept under the GLE Coupe moniker. Essentially a crossover correspondent for the E-Class Coupe, the GLE Coupe takes its name from the company’s new naming system, which renames its entire SUV lineup but the boxy G-Class.
The GLE Coupe also marked the debut of the AMG Sport line, which bridges the gap between the range-topping model of the regular lineup and the massively powerful AMG. For the GLE, the trim is known as the GLE 450 AMG and it sports standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Unlike full-fledged AMG models, this sportier version is motivated by a twin-turbo V-6. The GLE 450 AMG is also the first iteration of the GLE to hit U.S. shores, likely followed by the more powerful AMG version. Read on to find out more about Mercedes’ coupe competitor for the BMW X6.
Updated 12/10/2014: Mercedes unveiled the official details on the new GLE Coupe model, with just a few weeks before the car’s official debut in Detroit. Details after the jump.
Click past the jump to read more on the upcoming Mercedes Coupe Crossover
Mercedes-Benz is planning some pretty major updates to the entirety of its product line. In a bid to fill every nook and cranny of the luxury auto market with some form of the three-pointed star, the company recently announced its intention to release eleven all-new models over the course of the next five years, which is in addition to ten new plug-in hybrids scheduled for release in the next three years.
To help sort through the glut of new cars, Mercedes has come up with a fresh nomenclature system that will be applied to all upcoming releases going into 2015. This system differentiates between vehicles via one to three upper case letters, which designate the car type (“GL” for SUVs/off-roaders, “CL” for four-door coupes, “SL” for roadsters, etc.) and core model series (A, E, S, etc.), plus lower case letters for the drive system (“d” for diesel, “h” for hybrid, etc.).
With this information in hand, we can breakdown the future model lineup with relative confidence, filling in the gaps as we go.
What new models will we see coming from Mercedes? Read on to find out.
Click past the jump to read more about Mercedes new naming strategy.
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class was introduced in 1997 for the 1998 model year as a midsize, luxury SUV that boasted many industry-firsts. The first luxury SUV to feature electronic stability control, the M-Class was also the first crossover to offer front- and side-impact airbags with advanced occupant detection for the front passenger seat. The SUV made its dealership debut in North America as the ML320, which was powered by a 3.2-liter, V-6 engine linked to permanent 4MATIC four-wheel drive. The M-Class became a sales success in the United States, a trend that continued with the second-gen model between 2005 and 2011. A redesigned, third-gen model arrived in 2012, currently being sold in four guises across the U.S., ranging from the fuel-efficient ML250 BlueTEC to the powerful ML63 AMG. As we venture into 2015, when the M-Class is set to receive a facelift, the Germans are expanding the lineup by adding a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, its first for an SUV.
Likely to carry the GLE Plug-In moniker — the M-Class is set to become the GLE according to Mercedes’ new naming scheme — the hybrid SUV made its first public appearance in late October 2014, and our trusty paparazzi were at the right place and at the right time to capture it on the go. Read on to find out more about the vehicle and see it lap the Nurburgring.
Click past the jump to read more about Mercedes-Benz GLE Plug-In Hybrid.