Midlife makeover for Mercedes-Benz GLE

DUE here this August, the updated Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class large SUV will feature electrified engines across the board, a swag of new technology, revised interiors and more equipment to go with the tweaked exterior styling across both wagon and coupe body styles.

Variants with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains are not being entertained by Mercedes-Benz Australia, which will focus on petrol and diesel engines with 48V mild hybrid assistance as well as the all-electric EQE variant. Local pricing has not yet been disclosed.

If the revised GLE-Class reflects current offerings on the Mercedes-Benz website and kicks off around the $120,000 mark (plus on-road costs), it will have stiff competition in the large SUV segment from the likes of Audi’s Q7 that starts at $108,200 + ORC ranging or BMW’s X5 that starts at $109,900 + ORC.

Other competitors include ‘exotics’ like the Maserati Levante (from $145,000 + ORC), Porsche Cayenne (from $134,300 + ORC) and even the Genesis GV80 (from $92,200 + ORC).

Despite sitting nearer the latter category than the former in terms of price, a total of 3874 GLE wagons and coupes were sold last year in Australia making it the premium large SUV segment’s best seller.

The unconfirmed wagon and Coupe model line-up for local consumption is likely to mirror the outgoing range that starts with the GLE 300d and rises through the GLE 400d and 450 into high-performance AMG 53 and 63 variants.

In Europe, the revised GLE 300d with 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid turbo-diesel engine is rated at 198kW/550Nm, an uptick of 18kW and 50Nm on its predecessor while the GLE450d’s electrified 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 23kW less peak power but 50Nm more torque than before at 220kW/750Nm and the GLE 450’s 48V-enhanced 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six goes up 10kW to 280kW with torque remaining at 500Nm.

All three engines gain a brief shot of an extra 15kW and 200Nm apiece from the integrated starter generator (ISG) of the mild hybrid system.

The AMG-tuned GLE 53 gets a handy 40Nm torque boost (peak power stays the same) for a total of 320kW and 560Nm from its mild-hybrid 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six cylinder engine whereas the full-fat GLE 63’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 creates the same thunderous 450kW/850Nm as before, plus an extra 16kW and 250Nm from the ISG.

In hard numbers, it means the top of the range AMG GLE 63S will clock a 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 3.9 seconds with combined fuel consumption rated at around 12.5 litres/100km.

Despite the prodigious power and torque outputs, Mercedes say fuel economy range-wide has improved, in particular the PHEVs that will not be imported to Australia that feature the latest, fourth-generation hybrid system.

Mercedes-Benz say the all-wheel drive GLE has gear ratios designed for traction that enable a high towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes and a tow ball weight of up to 140kg.

Useful features for towing include the trailer manoeuvring assist, the updated trailer menu in the central display and the trailer route planner which can be used to find optimised routes when towing.

Outside, the revised GLE features a number of detailed changes to modernise the appearance including a new front bumper with more visual presence and two horizontal louvres with chrome inserts run through the grille with the outer air intakes given a horizontal chrome fin.

All variants get a new ‘light flare’ headlight design featuring high-performance LEDs with multiple focal points and taillight styling has been tweaked to complement the new front-end look.

Mercedes has made the AMG Line exterior styling pack standard on the GLE coupe for all global markets, which adds a diamond grille with Mercedes-Benz pattern in chrome, a deeper front apron with chrome trim and chunkier rear apron with faux diffuser, side skirts and body-coloured wheel arch cladding.

A new colour palette is offered along with new “aerodynamically optimised” alloy wheels in 19- and 20-inch sizes.

Inside the revised GLE-Class is a new steering wheel design with touch-sensitive controls on the horizontal spokes, a chrome look centre and side air vents.

A premium Burmester surround sound system with Dolby Atmos spatial audio compatibility is variously available as an option or standard fit depending on variant.

Over-the-air software updates are available to the new GLE as soon as they become available through the MBUX system and subscription services can be renewed or newly added directly online via the Mercedes me Store.

The "Hey Mercedes" voice recognition system has also been upgraded, with the ability to learn and improve through closer integration with online services accessed via the Mercedes Me smartphone app.