A new name and a bit of visual retouching are by no means the only details that Mercedes changes in the M-Class facelift - the Stuttgart-based company have thoroughly revised their luxury class SUV. At the middle of the model cycle, the GLE - as the new name goes - gets a new plug-in hybrid drive, more safety and comfort features and, for the first time, also rear-wheel drive.
Like the competition in the luxury SUV segment from Porsche, Audi, BMW and Volvo, there will also be the GLE with connection to the socket in future: The GLE 500 e 4matic combines V6 petrol engines (245 kW / 333 hp) and electric motor (85 kW) / 116 hp). Together, the units have a system output of 325 kW / 442 hp and a torque of 650 Newton meters. The GLE can drive a maximum of 30 kilometers purely electrically and a maximum of 130 km / h. The Stuttgart-based company specifies 3,3 liters per 100 kilometers with a charged battery.
The already known diesel and petrol engines have been revised and are now said to consume 17 percent less on average. A new drive combination also contributes to this: the smallest GLE 250 d diesel with 150 kW / 204 PS continues in the basic version with rear-wheel drive for the first time. Mercedes now specifies the 2,1 liter diesel with a standard consumption of 5,4 liters / 100 km. The same unit with the permanent all-wheel drive 4matic, with which all other motors are combined as standard, consumes 0,3 liters more. The nine-speed automatic transmission is always used for the diesel engines, for the first time also with the optional off-road reduction and central lock.
Visually, the GLE has adapted to the stylistic features of newer Mercedes generations, for example with new headlights with the “eyebrow” as daytime running lights, power domes on the hood or new LED rear lights. The characteristic C-pillar with the style-forming side window has been preserved.
The interior has also been updated, including a larger, partially integrated multimedia display. As before, the GLE has been extensively equipped; new features include crosswind assist and an infotainment system with a seven-inch display. An intersection assistant is optionally available.
In reminiscence of the off-roader G-Class, all Mercedes SUVs now have a "G" in their name, an "L" in the middle and the last letter, in connection with the car portfolio, makes orientation easier: "E" stands for SUV des e-class segment.
The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 (formerly Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG) has also changed its name marginally and now operates under the Mercedes-AMG sub-brand. His 5,5 liter V8 biturbo is now stronger than before: In addition to the basic version with 410 kW / 557 PS, the S model with 430 kW / 585 PS is available. In addition to optical retouching, the developers have also revised the chassis, the response of the engine and the gear shift times. Hanne Lübbehüsen / SP-XPreis does not yet name Mercedes. So far there was the ML 250 with all-wheel drive from 56.227 Euro. The new base price without all-wheel drive could be slightly lower.
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