As you may remember, the previous-gen Mercedes GLE Coupe sported a brand-new body design that set it apart from its non-coupe sibling. The new generation, which comes out today, lacks that kind of uniqueness. It still has a few interesting features, though.
The new GLE Coupe has grown 39 mm (1.52”) longer and 7 mm (0.27”) wider than its predecessor, now measuring 4,939 mm (16.2 ft.) long and 2,010 mm (6.59 ft.) wide. Numerous experimentations with its shape and outlines, as well as the addition of bottom guard plates, enabled a 9% reduction in aerodynamic drag.
Inside, the standard GLE and the Coupe are nearly identical, although the latter comes better equipped in the basic trim version. Like all other latest Mercedes releases, the crossover SUV offers a proprietary digital dashboard, which is combined with the MBUX infotainment system.
Customers may currently select from three versions of the car, two of which come powered by the same 2.9-liter, bi-turbo diesel engine. One version offers a boost to 272 hp (203 kW), while the other one packs 330 hp (246 kW). Both ship with on-demand AWD.
The third and most expensive trim – the AMG GLE 53 Coupe – packs a six-cylinder gasoline engine assisted by a turbocharger and an electric supercharger. Nominally rated at 435 hp (324 kW), it takes advantage of the company’s signature hybrid add-on called EQ Boost, which can temporarily raise the output by 22 hp (16 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque. The latter engages automatically during acceleration and is a part of the engine start/stop system. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) succeeds in 5.3 seconds, and the top speed is electronically capped at 250 km/h (155 mph).
Mercedes-Benz says it will release several other versions of the GLE Coupe later on, including a V8-based performance trim and a PHEV.