The new GLE Coupé from Mercedes-Benz combines the sportiness and elegance of a coupé with the technology of the new large premium-SUV model series from Mercedes-Benz.
The new GLE Coupé is a further example of the Mercedes-Benz objective to address all the requirements of customers in the premium-SUV segment in a targeted manner.
From a relatively small niche, the segment of SUVs, that is to say the SUV coupés, has developed into a trend within a trend in no time. With the renewal of the premium-SUV family Mercedes-Benz is also putting the GLE Coupé on a new technical footing.
The GLE Coupé combines the impressive power of an off-road vehicle with the emotively appealing sportiness and elegance of a coupe. The sensuous, reduced design idiom in combination with the extreme proportions creates a unique design statement.
Exterior design: powerful presence
The new GLE Coupé is 4939 mm long and 2010 mm wide. The proportions emphasise the dynamics of the GLE Coupé. The
front view combines characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family with clear coupé attributes: the diamond grille with its single horizontal louvre creates association with the other Mercedes-Benz Coupés, while the openings in the louvre and the high-gloss chrome-plated underguard in the front apron showcase the SUV character. With the AMG Line, the grille widens towards the bottom in an A shape, and the pins in the diamond grille are finished in chrome. The headlamps feature full-LED technology as standard.
The windscreen is more raked than on the GLE SUV and not only makes the vehicle look more dynamic; it is also a better fit with the dropping roof line and ensures a harmonious elegance. The flank with its smooth design that emphasises surfaces effectively highlights the large flush-mounted wheels.
The dynamism of the coupé line is especially evident in the rear-end design. A broad muscle in the vehicle flank beneath the C-pillar that starts in the rear door and envelops the tail lamps gives the GLE Coupé its powerful, ready-to-pounce appearance. Together with the elongated tail lamps, it highlights the width of the rear end. The lamps are specific to the coupé, but fit the characteristic day and night design of the Mercedes-Benz SUVs with their hallmark rounded blocks in a slim outline. The flush transition from the tailgate to the bumper, the number plate in the bumper above the high-gloss chrome-plated underguard and the integrated tailpipe trim elements complete the synthesis of coupé and SUV.
Interior design: sporty, with particular design touches
The interior of the new GLE Coupé shares numerous features with the other models in the new premium-SUV family and clearly emphasises the sporty aspect. A familiar sight is the modern cockpit with two large screens. The strikingly styled instrument panel, horizontally divided by a trim tier, transitions seamlessly into the door panels and in the GLE Coupé features ARTICO man-made leather on top as standard. The sporty emphasis comes courtesy of the standard sports seats with particularly good lateral support and ARTICO cover, and the new sports steering wheel with nappa leather rim. The SUV touch, meanwhile, is added by the tall centre console with the dominant grab handles. Leather/nappa leather seat covers and door panels in the colour combination classic red/black are exclusively available in the coupé.
As spacious as they come: entrance opening significantly enlarged
The lines of the four-door coupé body have been deliberately tailored more tightly than on the GLE and offer tangibly more room in many places than the predecessor, giving up to five occupants a comfortable amount of space. The sports suit features figure-hugging tailoring – but is a comfortable fit. The optional panoramic sliding sunroof is now larger, too.
Enjoy the pleasure of being served: the Mercedes-Benz User Experience
The GLE Coupé offers the latest generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system with a host of functions for connectivity, entertainment and operating comfort. They include the intuitive voice control and the learning capability of MBUX as well as a large range of apps that can be integrated into or controlled with MBUX. The information in the instrument cluster and on the media display is easily legible on the large, high-resolution screens. An emotive presentation with brilliant graphics underlines the comprehensibility of the intuitive control structure. The learning MBUX can also be voice-controlled and enables individual adjustments by means of apps, as well as a host of options for the user that are also offered in the GLE and in the GLS.
From the six-cylinder diesel for Europe to the plug-in hybrid
The sporty aspiration of the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé is also clearly apparent in its engine line-up.
The plug-in hybrid Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 de 4MATIC Coupé will complement the range. It is capable of over 100 kilometres (according to NEDC) with a corresponding driving style. It also has a top speed of up to 160 km/h under electric power.
Suspension: AIRMATIC or E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL as options
As standard, the new GLE Coupé comes with a steel suspension with a sportier and firmer set-up than the predecessor had. Compared with the preceding generation, it benefits from firmer mounting points and improved axle geometry, and offers even more precise wheel location and better shielding from vibrations caused by unevenness in the road surface. The further advanced air suspension system AIRMATIC is available as an option and has a sportier set-up than in the GLE SUV. Its adaptive adjustable damping uses highly complex sensor systems and algorithms to adapt the damping characteristics to the road condition and driving situation in real time. In addition, the air suspension keeps the vehicle at the same level irrespective of the load and can also adjust the ground clearance – automatically or at the touch of a button depending on the driving speed and the situation.
A further improvement is offered by the optional E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension, which is combined with the AIRMATIC air suspension system. This is the only system on the market that can control spring and damping forces individually at each wheel. This means that it not only counteracts body roll, but also pitch and squat movements. Together with ROAD SURFACE SCAN as a component of the Driving Assistance package and the curve inclination function CURVE, E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL combines roadholding and comfort in a unique way and thus underscores the aspiration of Mercedes-Benz to build the world's most intelligent SUV suspension.
Driving assistance systems: even better support in all situations
The new GLE Coupé has the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems giving cooperative support to drivers. This results in an especially high level of active safety. As standard, the new GLE Coupé boasts Active Brake Assist, which can help prevent rear-end collisions and collisions with crossing pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
Some Intelligent Drive functions, which are also on the market at the highest level beyond the SUV segment, can be ordered as additional options. They include the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with route-based speed adaptation. If the driver switches it on, the GLE Coupé can react to information from Live Traffic, in the ideal scenario even before the driver or the radar and camera sensors can perceive a traffic obstruction. When a traffic tailback is detected, the speed is reduced to approx. 100 km/h as a precaution unless the driver specifically decides otherwise.
When actually driving in a tailback on the motorway, Active Stop-and-Go Assist is then substantially able to perform the tasks of keeping in lane and maintaining the safety distance with a high level of availability at speeds up to around 60 km/h. Moving off can be automatic up to one minute after coming to a stop. On multi-lane roads, Active Steering Assist is able to support the driver with the emergency corridor function. On motorways, at speeds under 60 km/h the vehicle refers to detected lane markings and applies swarm intelligence to take its bearings from vehicles in the surrounding area. If no such vehicles or markings are detected, the GLE Coupé will take its bearings from the vehicle ahead, as previously.
