Mercedes-Benz has launched the new GLE in South Africa, offering it in both SUV and SUV Coupe body styles with a new engine and a range of visual and equipment upgrades over its predecessor.
The GLE was first launched in 2015, acting as a successor to the M-Class dating back to 1997, and is intended to fill an important role as one of the brand’s most premium vehicles.
Features
To give the SUV a fresh look for the next few years to come, Mercedes has added two horizontal louvres with chrome inserts to the front grille, while the grille itself has also received a chrome finish on the outer air intakes.
Two new light points have been added to complement the high-performance LED headlights and daytime running lights, which can be expanded to four light points with an optional LED package. The tail lamps have also been redesigned so that the standard GLE has two horizontal blocks, while the Coupe has two bars.
Furthermore, the AMG Line exterior has been made standard on the Coupe, meaning it now has a diamond-pattern grille, and AMG components for the front apron, side skirts, wheel cladding, and rear diffuser.
Two new colours are available, namely Sodalite Blue Metallic and Alpine Grey Solid, and buyers can add a new ambient lighting system with a projection of the Mercedes-Benz star pattern as an extra.
Moving inside the updated GLE, you’ll notice a new-generation steering wheel with sensor surfaces on the horizontal spokes, which allow the driver to operate the displays without taking their hands off the wheel.
The dashboard is dominated by a dual-screen setup comprised of two 12.3-inch monitors for the driver and infotainment, which both run on the second-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) software allowing for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to a host of other functions.
The air vents are now finished in chrome, just like in the Mercedes GLS, and new interior colour combinations allow for beige/black on the SUV, and bahai brown/black and black/red on the Coupe.
Also included as standard is a Burmester sound system with 13 speakers, 13 amplifier channels, and Dolby’s Atmos immersive audio experience.
Users can further opt for a pair of 100W USB ports in the rear armrest, and a two-stage Air Control filter for the climate control.
Powertrains
All versions of the GLE are now equipped with 48V mild-hybrid technology featuring an integrated starter motor, and a nine-speed automatic gearbox, the latter of which connects to a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.
The headliner of the updated engine list is the new 450d – a six-cylinder, turbocharged diesel block producing 270kW and 750Nm, making it by far the most powerful of the units available in terms of torque.
In contrast, the pre-existing 450 petrol drivetrain generates 280kW and 500Nm, while the 300d can put out 198kW and 550Nm.
The result is that the new 450d is able to match its petrol counterpart’s 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.6 seconds, while the 300d is the slowest of the lot at 6.9 seconds.
Likewise, the two 450 units can reach a top speed of 250km/h, while the 300 caps out at 230km/h.
On the other hand, the 300d boasts the best fuel consumption of the group at 6.8l/100km, compared to the 450d’s 7.6l/100km, and the 450’s 9.5l/100km.
Pricing
The South African pricing for the new Mercedes-Benz GLE is as follows:
- Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d 4Matic – R1,964,600
- Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d 4Matic 7-seater – R1,984,000
- Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic – R2,075,400
- Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic 7-seater – R2,094,800
- Mercedes-Benz GLE 450d 4Matic – R2,041,500
- Mercedes-Benz GLE 450d 4Matic 7-seater – R2,060,900
Each purchase comes with a 2-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
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