First Look Review

Mercedes-Benz has developed a new SUV based on the GLE platform with focus on handling and performance while retaining the utilitarian qualities of an SUV. The GLE-Coupe is an SUV with body lines of a sports coupe. The all new SUV is slated to be launched in India on January 12 and will be the first product launch from the three-pointed-star for 2016.

Yes. It is an SUV that is called a coupe. Though the unconventional looks may not be to the liking of many, they can’t certainly be ignored. It gets the Mercedes family face with a wide single slat grille and a big logo pasted across at the centre. The LED projector headlamps with a DRL brow paired with the high bonnet makes it look big while the AMG-style mesh air intakes on the bumper gives it a sharp look. The bold shoulder-line is carried across the side as the coupe roofline blends into it at the rear. The chunky alloy wheels and flared wheel arches gives it a squat stance while the stacked up boot gets a chrome strip across its width along with wrap around tail-lamps.

The cabin is plush and comes in shades of black and a contrast stitch that highlights the colour of the car. The trims get a mix of plastic and leather with dollops of carbon fibre to match the AMG badge. Apart from the run of a mill features like cruise control, three-zone climate control, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers et al, the GLE Coupe also gets the tablet screen infotainment system with a touchpad for navigation.

The GLE 450 AMG Coupe is a performance machine and gets a befitting 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 engine that develops 362bhp of power at 5500rpm and 516Nm of torque from as low as 1800rpm. The GLE 450 AMG coupe gets the 4-matic four-wheel-drive system as a standard fitment along with the 9-speed automatic transmission that catapults the 2.2 tonne SUV to 100kmph in 5.6 seconds. It gets driver aids like traction control, anti-skid control along with the standard electronic stability program and ABS with EBD.

The Mercedes GLE Coupe was built to rival the BMW X6, the first of the SUV coupes. Estimated to be priced about one crore rupees, the GLE 450 AMG Coupe will compete with the BMW X6 and other premium SUVs like the X5M and Mercedes’ own GL-Class.