The new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe tick all the right boxes. Here’s why
A car that’s sleek, spacious and sporty? The Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupes prove that it really is possible to enjoy the best of several worlds. Brought to you by Mercedes-Benz.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe offers spacious practicality in a sleek, stylish body. Photos: Mercedes Benz
Through elegant design and cutting-edge technology, engineers have created a car without compromise. It offers thrilling performance yet comfort, sleekness yet practicality, height yet surefootedness, classic styling yet the latest in digital wizardry.
The new GLE Coupe is the result of draping a sporty, eye-catching form onto the mechanical underpinnings of the GLE, giving it a sound technical footing. “The GLE Coupe combines the impressive power of an off-road vehicle with the emotively appealing sportiness and elegance of a coupe,” said Mr Gorden Wagener, chief design officer of Daimler AG.
RESETTING EXPECTATIONS
Its launch is a timely opportunity to lay to rest another idea, that a coupe is a car with only two doors. Derived from the French term for “chopped off”, it refers to a car’s roofline, and applies when it is suitably low and swooping, like on the new GLE Coupe.
The AMG Line adds more than a dash of sportiness, for example, with a front grille that widens towards the bottom in an A shape, bordering the diamond grille finished in chrome. The headlamps feature full-LED technology.
The new GLE Coupe’s interior emphasises its sportiness, with sports seats shaped for excellent lateral support and a new sports steering wheel wrapped in nappa leather. But its SUV-inspired ruggedness is also apparent in the tall centre console with its prominent grab handles. The Night package adds exclusive black design features that accentuate the athletic character of the new GLE Coupe.
The Widescreen Cockpit, with its twin 12.3-inch digital displays, is a now-familiar sight in the latest Mercedes-Benz models, and its collection of themes and four selectable displays offer a customisable experience to meet the aesthetic tastes of any driver.
But as much as it pleases the eye, the GLE Coupe is as functional as they come. The cabin benefits from a wheelbase that has been extended by 20mm, creating even more space for seating and legroom. The stowage spaces in the interior are larger by a total of 40L. The boot is already a capacious 655L in capacity, but the 40:20:40 folding split for the rear seat increases that to 1,790L – 70L more than its predecessor.
THE COMFORTS OF HOME, ON THE ROAD
The new ENERGISING packages offer comfort for all the senses. With this, various equipment items work intelligently together to revitalise drivers, promoting alertness behind the wheel and making each drive more pleasurable. Coordinating items like the fragrance dispenser, ambient lighting, climate control ioniser and massage chairs, the ENERGISING package Plus system creates feel-good programmes like Warmth, Joy, Well-being, Refresh and Vitality for a more enjoyable driving experience.
The algorithm-based ENERGIZING COACH feature analyses factors like traffic conditions, weather and journey time. It then suggests the most suitable ENERGIZING comfort programme for the driver, representing the first step towards customised, customer-oriented comfort.
The E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL system supplements the air springs with hydropneumatics that can control each individual wheel to support the GLE Coupe. The system can lean the GLE Coupe into bends by up to 3°, like a motorcycle, to make cornering more pleasant by reducing sideways forces on passengers.
The GLE Coupe is also available with ROAD SURFACE SCAN, which includes a stereoscopic camera that continuously monitors the road surface ahead of the vehicle and lets the suspension respond to bumps before the car reaches them.
TECHNOLOGICAL MARVEL
It’s one thing to soothe the body, but it’s quite another to protect it. Driving assistance systems such as ATTENTION ASSIST, Lane Tracking package with Active Lane Keeping Assist & Blind Spot Assist with exit warning function, MULTIBEAM LED with ULTRA RANGE Highbeam and Active Brake Assist all keep a watchful eye on traffic conditions to warn the driver of danger and intervene if necessary through autonomous braking.
The GLE Coupe is also available with Mercedes me connect, the latest generation of connectivity that helps Mercedes-Benz owners stay connected and in sync with their vehicles.
This connected car service was conceptualised to make the lives of Mercedes-Benz owners easier and more convenient, whether it involves unlocking their car, starting the engine remotely, getting customer support or simply checking their fuel level remotely.
The latest generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system takes connectivity, entertainment and operating comfort to the next level, particularly with the intelligent and intuitive voice control system. And contactless interaction is also possible through simple hand gestures with the MBUX Interior Assist function.
SPORTY SOUL
The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe offers similar levels of comfort, but at a faster pace. Its 3.0-litre engine is a thing of contradictions – it’s powerful yet efficient, exciting yet cultured.
Its in-line six-cylinder layout ensures silky smooth revving as well as a sonorous voice, while twin turbochargers ensure that it produces a hearty amount of horsepower: Some 435hp with peak torque of 520Nm. Yet, the 48V starter-alternator at the heart of its EQ Boost system delivers an extra 22hp and 250Nm of torque in brief bursts. This makes the engine feel extra responsive and helps lower fuel consumption.
The twin-clutch, 9-speed AMG Speedshift is engineered for short shift times, improving responsiveness. Double-declutch downshifts are available in some drive modes for smoother deceleration even under heavy braking.
There’s more to fast driving than rapid pace in a straight line, however, and the AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system helps the GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe conquer any corner. It constantly varies the power distribution between the front and rear axles to provide agile, responsive handling, while maximising traction in all situations.
While the GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe derives its surefootedness from its intelligent all-wheel drive system, its suspension system works constantly to offer precise, agile handling. AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL reduces body roll, and optimises lateral dynamics during spirited driving, revealing the athletic nature of the GLE Coupe.
Built on the rugged platform of the GLE, the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe inherits its practicality while embracing the soul of a stylish sportscar.
Visit the Mercedes-Benz website to find out how sportiness and refinement can co-exist.
For sales enquiries, please call Cycle & Carriage at 6298 1818 or visit the Mercedes-Benz Center for a test drive today.
