Mercedes-Benz have released first pictures of their new five-seater sports activity vehicle which now bears a new name – the GLE-Class.
The W166 GLE replaces the M-Class, in line with the company’s nomenclature shift, bringing all crossovers and SUV models in their portfolio under the ‘G’ designation. Following the launch of the GLE-Class Coupé, which will compete with the BMW X6 and Acura ZDX. the GLE-Class will also make use of several new powertrains.
The first is the GLE 250 which packs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor making 211 PS and 350 Nm. Like the Coupé, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol with 333 PS in ‘400’ guise and 367 PS in ‘450’ guise, both with standard 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, should also be offered in some markets.
For the first time, the range will see a plug-in hybrid (rather necessary today). The GLE 500e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid will sport the 400-spec 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and an electric motor (like the S 500 plug-in we’ve reported earlier) to produce a combined 442 PS and 650 Nm, with an efficiency as high as 30 km/l in hybrid mode with emissions as low as 78 g/km of CO2. The GLE 500e is also capable of an all-electric range of 30 km.
The diesel line should include the GLE 250 d with the 204-PS/500-NM 2.2-litre turbo-four, as well as the 350 d with the 3.0-litre V6 making 265 PS and 620 Nm.
The AMG models now. First, the GLE 63 will feature the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 with 557 PS and 700 Nm. The top-of-the-line AMG GLE 63 S will have the motor tuned up to 585 PS and 760 Nm.
The GLE-Class will be launched in Germany and the rest of Europe soon, with the global launch immediately following those. Need a good deal on the M-Class? Now is the time to push for it!
Story: Jim Gorde
