Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe details and pictures

Mercedes joins the coupe-SUV fray with a rival for BMW's X6

Mercedes’ range is set to grow further in the New Year with the introduction of the GLE Coupe.

Mercedes calls it a sporty coupe imbued with the striking characteristics of a robust SUV. More realistically, it’s a GLE – the firm’s new name for the M-class – with an in-vogue sloping roofline, as BMW’s X6 is to the X5.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new car will be a rival for the X6, as well as cars like the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport. As such, the GLE Coupe gets a range of petrol and diesel engines with outputs between 258 PS and 367 PS, and driving systems geared towards a sportier feel than the regular GLE.

The GLE Coupe’s styling may take a little while to get used to, unless you’re already a fan of the X6 and its ilk. The front is pure M-class (sorry, GLE), yet towards the rear the five-door body tapers, not unlike that of Mercedes’ recent coupes. From the rear, there’s more than a hint of the new Mercedes-AMG GT and the S-class coupe, particularly around the rear lights.

Inside, the GLE Coupe features dashboard architecture more like that of the firm’s off-road vehicles than those of the coupes its roofline apes. A compact ‘sports’ steering wheel, infotainment similar to that of the C, E and S-class and sports seats should still create a driving environment more like that of a coupe than a tall-riding SUV.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

At launch, the entry-level GLE 350 d comes with a 3-litre turbocharged V6 diesel engine, producing 258 PS and 620 Nm of torque.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Above this sit the GLE 400, with its twin-turbocharged V6 petrol unit, and a more powerful GLE 450 AMG providing a full 367 PS and 520 Nm, developed from 1400rpm. Full performance details are yet to be released, but all engines meet the latest EU6 emissions standards.

All models are equipped with the latest 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, and 4Matic all-wheel drive is also standard across the range. Notably, the AMG-fettled model features a different torque split to the other pair, with 60 percent of the car’s torque fed to the rear wheels in place of a 50:50 split. The AMG also rides on 21in wheels, to the standard car’s 20in rims.

Central to the GLE Coupe’s dynamics is Dynamic Select, Mercedes’ dynamic handling control system. This changes the characteristics of the car’s Sports Direct-Steer system, Airmatic air suspension and the Active Curve System (first seen on the S63 AMG Coupe) to alter dynamics and ride comfort according to the driver’s tastes.

Active Curve System in particular should give Mercedes’ rivals something to think about. Designed to tip the car into corners to counteract the effects of body roll, its effect on the tall GLE Coupe should be even more pronounced than it is on the S63 AMG Coupe.

Regardless of how the new GLE Coupe handles, it’s sure to sell like hot bratwurst, just as its rivals have managed despite gnashing of enthusiasts' teeth. Pricing is yet to be announced, but should be revealed closer to the GLE Coupe’s launch next year.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The 577bhp Mercedes-AMG Purespeed is Affalterbach’s answer to the McLaren Elva
Mercedes-AMG Purespeed
News

The 577bhp Mercedes-AMG Purespeed is Affalterbach’s answer to the McLaren Elva

The PureSpeed speedster is the first in Mercedes-AMG’s mythos series of ultra-exclusive specials, featuring a V8 powertrain and an AMG One-inspired de…
11 Dec 2024
Ford Puma ST (2020 - 2024) review – an icon rebooted
Puma ST
Reviews

Ford Puma ST (2020 - 2024) review – an icon rebooted

A slightly more grown up and practical take on the excellent Fiesta ST that we can’t help but wish was less crossover and more coupe
26 Nov 2024
Land Rover Defender to take on the Dakar
Land Rover Defender OCTA front
News

Land Rover Defender to take on the Dakar

The Defender will take on the world’s most gruelling off-road event in 2026, with the brand becoming Dakar’s official car partner
25 Nov 2024
Mazda CX-60 Fast Fleet test – 7000 miles in the straight-six SUV
evo Fast Fleet Mazda CX60
Long term tests

Mazda CX-60 Fast Fleet test – 7000 miles in the straight-six SUV

The six-cylinder Mazda CX-60 had a promising premise, but a lack of refinement derailed this SUV experience
23 Nov 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best Jaguars – big cats that defined the breed
The best Jaguars
Best cars

Best Jaguars – big cats that defined the breed

As Jaguar stares down the barrel of a polarising new era, it’d do well not to forget some of the brilliance from its past. We list Jag’s modern greats…
6 Dec 2024
BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3
BMW M135
Reviews

BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3

The M135 has lost an ‘i’ and gained chassis revisions and a restyle. Is it enough to make it a benchmark hot hatch?
30 Nov 2024
2024’s best performance cars battle it out – car pictures of the week
evo Car of the Year 2024 lineup
Features

2024’s best performance cars battle it out – car pictures of the week

A little taste of eCoty 2024 to whet the pallet is the subject of this week’s car pictures
8 Dec 2024