Luxury car manufacturer Mercedes have revealed their latest offering and rival to BMW’s X6 – the GLE Coupe. In a similar vein to the X6, Mercedes have taken the styling cues from a sporty coupe and combined this with the underpinnings of an SUV.
Mercedes say not only will the GLE offer a striking balance between a powerful sports cars and the unshakeable feeling of driving a well-balanced SUV – but with their DYNAMIC SELECT there is a wide spread in the driving dynamics that combines the two worlds of experience in a single vehicle.
Just like other models in the Merc range their dynamic control system is available, which allows drivers to choose from five different driving modes including; INDIVIDUAL, COMFORT, SLIPPERY, SPORT and SPORT+ – depending on what driving style you’re after.
There will be three models available from launch, all of which will come equipped with four-wheel-drive and Mercedes’ new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox.
The models are the GLE 350d – that comes with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel and produces 255bhp and 457 lb ft torque, the edgier GLE 400 – which has a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo petrol engine and produces 329bhp, and 354 lb ft of torque and lastly the range topping GLE 450 AMG – which has a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo petrol unit that puts out 362bhp and 384 lb ft of torque.
Although the GLE 450 AMG isn’t quite a full AMG model it is however the first car from the new AMG Sport model line.
The fact it has been more aggressively styled makes it stand out from the rest of the range, with meaner-looking front and rear bumpers, a flick-up spoiler lip on the boot and 21-inch AMG five-spoke alloys.
The AMG model hasn’t just been upgraded in the looks department, the driving experience should be greatly improved as well, with torque split 40:60 front to rear as opposed to the regular cars’ 50:50 set-up. It’s also been treated to air suspension with continuously variable dampers that should compensate for any body roll or uneven surfaces you might
Non-AMG models come with regular shock suspension as standard, though the air set-up is available as an optional extra.
UK pricing and specification for the GLE Coupé have yet to be confirmed though Mercedes will reveal all closer to the cars 2015 launch.
