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Mercedes-Benz’s X6-rivalling GLE Coupe revealed, coming Spring 2015

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Author: | Updated: 10 Dec 2014 10:08

Mercedes-Benz will offer a rival to BMW’s X6 from Spring 2015 with this – the GLE Coupe.

There isn’t much separating the pair dimensions-wise. Merc’s slump-backed SUV measures at 4900mm long, 2003mm wide and 1731mm tall with a 2915mm wheelbase, which makes it 9mm shorter than the X6 but 14mm wider and 42mm taller.

It will be available with a choice of three V6, EU6-compliant, 3L engines - two petrol, one diesel – all mated to a nine speed automatic transmission with permanent all-wheel-drive.

The GLE Coupe is roughly the same size as its X6 rival

The GLE Coupe sits on 20-inch ten-spoke light alloys as standard but 21- and 22-inch wheels can be specified along with Airmatic ADS Plus air suspension.

It offers 670 litres of boot space, which betters the X6’s 580. There are five doors and five seats although the sloping roof line will all but guarantee cramped headroom for adults on the back bench.

Engines

Details on fuel economy and performance have not been confirmed yet but the 258hp GLE 350d is expected to be the frugal choice.

The same 3987cc engine in the marginally longer and narrower GL-Class reports a 36.2 combined mpg and 205g/km CO2 so we’d expect those figures to improve slightly when planted in the GLE Coupe.

Power output is the same as in BMW’s entry level X6 xDrive 30d too, which has a 6.7second 0-62mph sprint.

Boasting 2996cc and 520Nm of torque, the GLE 450 AMG will be the performance choice, producing 367hp and 520Nm of torque from 1400rpm.

Exterior styling is differentiated with a special AMG front and rear apron, a rear spoiler lip, and 21-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels (22-inch also available).

The GLA50 AMG gets a special front and rear apron and rear spoiler lip

The AMG model gets a variable dynamic control system too offering five self-explanatory transmission modes for different road conditions and ride qualities – individual, comfort, slippery, sport, and sport+.

Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commented: “The GLE 450 AMG Coupé is our first sports model and further highly emotional and performance-oriented models will follow in the near future.

“The new product line from Mercedes-AMG has allowed us to make true sports car technology and the fascination of motorsports more accessible. Every vehicle from Affalterbach honours the brand promise of Driving Performance.”

The GLE Coupe will go on sale from Spring 2015 with prices starting from around £50k; that should put the most affordable personal lease deal at around £800 a month.

We’d expect it to make its debut physical appearance at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2015.

GLE Coupe at a glance:

Length: 4900mm
Width: 2003mm
Height: 1731mm
Wheelbase: 2915mm
Petrol engines: GLE 400 4MATIC – 2996cc, 333hp, 480Nm
GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC – 2996cc, 367hp, 520Nm
Diesel engines: GLE 350d 4MATIC – 2987cc, 258hp, 620Nm
Transmission: 9G-TRONIC – nine speed automatic
On sale: Spring 2015

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe interior 2016

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