By: Dave Abrahams
Johannesburg - Mercedes-Benz makes absolutely no secret that its new GLE Coupé is aimed straight at BMW's X6.
To quote from Stuttgart’s publicity material: "The sporty nature of a coupé is imbued with the robust characteristics of an SUV." Say no more.
Mercedes' latest niche-filler landed in South Africa this week in a three-model formation, led by the 190kW, three-litre V6 GLE 350d turbodiesel, backed up by the 270kW GLE 450 AMG (2996cc, V6 turbopetrol) and the fire-breathing 430kW GLE 63 S AMG, with Affalterbach's sledgehammer 5.5-litre V8 biturbo, tuned in this application for 430kW and 760Nm.
The five-door, five-seater GLE is a big car - 4900mm long on a 2915mm wheelbase, 2003mm wide and 1731mm high, with a maximum luggage capacity (rear seats folded) of 1650 litres. The 350 and 450 variants come with nine-speed 9G-tronic transmissions, the GLE 63 S with an AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic, and 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard across the line-up.
DYNAMIC SELECT
Mercedes-Benz' five-way rotary driving mode settings - Comfort, Slippery, Sport, Sport+ and Individual - allow you to dial in your choice of throttle, steering shift and suspension responses to suit your mood and the terrain, be it freeway cruising, muddy off-roading, or attacking your favourite twisty road, while the Individual mode allows you to set each parameter independently.
And we're not only talking about mechanical settings here - the system also modulates the 'emotional' stuff such as engine sound, instrument and infotainment display, and dynamic control of the driving lights, to suit the occasion.
In the 350d, drive is distributed evenly between the front and rear axles to make the most of the diesel's muscular torque delivery, while the harder-revving 450 petrol V6 and 63 S V8 send 60 percent of the drive to the rear end for sportier handling.
AIRMATIC SUSPENSION
The GLE's all-new air suspension system - optional on the 350, standard on the 450 and 63 S - now has continuously variable damping, which also varies its parameters according to which Dynamic Select mode you're in.
It operates independently for each wheel using input from a steering angle sensor, four turning angle sensors, driving speed, ESP signal and brake pressure switch.
Select Sport or Sport+ and the Active Curve system hardens up the active front and rear anti-roll bars (although they will still free-off momentarily to allow for a one-sided impact such as a kerb or pothole) as well as the steering, which is very direct at 17.4:1 - almost in Alfa Romeo territory, in fact.
MODEL BY MODEL - GLE 350d
The diesel is rated for a conservative 190kW at 3600 revs, back up by 620Nm, on tap from 1600-2400rpm. It rolls on 20 inch, 10 spoked alloys shod with 275/50 rubber, while 21 or 22 inch rims are available at extra cost - the latter only in conjunction with the optional air-suspension.
Dynamic Select driving modes, a power-operated tailgate, an Audio 20 eight-speaker sound system and a reversing camera with dynamic guide lines in the display are standard issue, as are Curve Assist, Crosswind Assist and Collision Prevention Assist Plus.
The cabin is trimmed in Artico synthetic leather with brushed-aluminium elements.
GLE 450 AMG
AMG bodystyling includes special front and rear aprons, a body-colour rear spoiler lip and 21-inch rims with 275/45 front and 315/40 tyres; 22 inch hoops with 285/40 front and 325/35 rear rubber are an extra-cost option.
Standard issue includes air suspension with infinitely variable adaptive damping, level control and automatic lowering function at higher speeds.
The cabin is furnished with sports seats and a three-spoked black nappa leather sports steering wheel, brushed aluminium trim elements and brushed stainless-steel sports pedals with rubber studs.
GLE 63 S AMG
The GLE 63 S Coupé is the first SUV from Affalterbach, and it carries the signature AMG "A-wing" front apron in gloss black, twin-bar grille and large central three-pointed star.
It rolls on dark grey 22 inch alloys shod with 285/40 front and 325/35 rear rubber over ventilated discs and red-painted brake callipers.
The interior is trimmed in black nappa leather with AMG medallions in the head restraints, grey contrast stitching and grey seat belts.
The instrument cluster has fine red scale graduations around the speedometer and rev counter, and a grey decorative band, while the grip area of the sports steering wheel is upholstered in non-slip Dinamica microfibre material.
Standard features - in addition to those found in the 350 and 450 models - include 'intelligent' LED lighting, Comand online, power-adjustable heated front seats, Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound, door-sill panels in brushed stainless steel with AMG lettering, and AMG-branded floor mats.
PRICES
GLE 350 d - R999 900
GLE 450 AMG - R1 099 900
GLE 63 S AMG - R1 859 900
These include VAT and a six-year or 100 000km maintenance package, but not CO2 tax.