Intelligence & potency, wrapped up in a Marmite body.
Mercedes-Benz may have only just pulled the wraps off its latest-generation GLE large SUV, but the platform is destined for great things, many of which are coming in the very near future. The next one in the bag will be the GLE Coupé, the less practical and (bogglingly) more desirable sister-car to the one this writer prefers. And as like the regular-profiled GLE, the Coupé will benefit from features & innovations that come with the new platform, things that the old car could only dream of.
For starters, the new-generation GLE Coupé will be able to offer the very latest in terms of driver assistance technology, like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam functionality, rear cross-traffic alert and so on. Further, they’ll also stand to gain from the west engines offered in the Mercedes-AMG stable, allowing for improved performance and economy in equal measure.
*2017 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 V8 shown here. What a rump.
The Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupé line will likely begin with the GLE53, utilising the same 3.0-litre straight-6 from the number-matching AMG CLS. With Autocar suggesting as much as 320kW on tap, the AMG GLE53 will be able to claim improved fuel economy thanks to that engine’s mild-hybrid system, which is capable of running the car at traffic-jam speeds with the combustion engine off. It also makes takeoff from standstill more efficient, addressing one of the most fuel-heavy parts of day-to-day motoring.
The GLE53 Coupé is also expected to make use of the same 9-speed auto and 4Matic all-wheel drive system as the standard GLE. In 2020, well-after the arrival of the GLE53, Mercedes-AMG intends to release the full-fat AMG GLE63 variants, utilising the 4.0-litre biturbo V8 offering up about 447kW of grunt. That should be quite the thing when it lands, and you can bet that we’re going to do our best to test them. Why? Because it’s fun.
For the best deals on a new Mercedes-AMG, check out our Showroom.
