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  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Ready To Take On BMW X6

      Mercedes' Answer To The BMW X6

    We don't know why BMW created the X6, let alone introduced a redesigned model since they really don't sell that many. In November, the company only moved 421 units. But that isn't stopping the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Audi from joining the fun. Mercedes-Benz has revealed the 2016 GLE Coupe.

    GLE is the first Mercedes-Benz model to follow the company's new nomenclature for SUVs and will be the sister model to the upcoming GLE (known currently as the ML-Class).

    The overall design is very much Mercedes' take on X6's design with similar roofline profile, high beltline, and taillights. There are elements of the CLA in the front-end with a tall, upright grille and large headlights with LEDs on the inner edge. Inside is a mix of the current centerstack layout found on Mercedes' SUVs with the floating screen on newer Mercedes' sedans. There's also a flat-bottom steering wheel and gauges that change their look dependent on the driving mode.

    Only one powertrain has been announced for North America for the time being. That happens to be GLE 450 AMG (first of the AMG Sport models) which packs a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 with 362 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. This is paired up to a new nine-speed automatic and 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

    No official word of whether or not we'll see the GLE at the Detroit Auto Show next month, but its likely possibility.

    Source: Mercedes-Benz

    Press Release is on Page 2

    Premiere: Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe

    • A sportier choice

    December 09, 2014 - Stuttgart

    Mercedes-Benz is combining two classes of vehicle – each with its own distinct style – to make a new model, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. The sporty nature of a coupe dominates, imbued with the striking characteristics of a robust SUV. In addition to convincing on-road vehicle dynamics, the GLE Coupe looks impressive as well. With its flowing side contour, elongated and low greenhouse, striking radiator grille with central chrome louvre and rear end design, the GLE Coupe cites styling features typical of particularly sporty Mercedes-Benz models. In the U.S. market, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe features a biturbo V6 engine that produces 362 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the generous amount of standard equipment, the DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system, the Sports Direct-Steer system and the driver assistance systems typical of the brand, the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe comes standard with the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive.

    The GLE Coupe is the new addition to the successful portfolio of Mercedes-Benz coupes. Alongside the classic, two-door C, E and S-Class models and the four-door CLS- and CLA-Class coupes, the new coupe displays a highly individual interpretation of the physiognomy and light-footed approach typical of this family of vehicles. For example, the GLE Coupe displays attributes typical of coupes such as sportiness, dynamism and agility, while also exuding the self-assured presence, versatility and ruggedness of an SUV.

    DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system: highly variable – from racy and sporty to poised and comfortable

    The GLE Coupe feels like a true sports coupe. Despite the similarity to an SUV with its raised seating position and expansive all-round view, the occupants are led to believe that they are in sports rather than off-road mode. The sound is reminiscent of powerful sports cars, while the spontaneous and direct response to all commands is guaranteed to get your pulse racing. On the other hand, it can also create a superior feeling of calm, coupled with unshakeably serene driving dynamics. These two different worlds can normally only be experienced in two separate vehicles – an agile, thoroughbred sports coupe and an easy-going, comfortable SUV. But the new GLE Coupe is different: DYNAMIC SELECT enables a wide spread in the driving dynamics and combines these diametrical worlds of experience in a single vehicle – an automobile premiere.

    GLE 450 AMG – the first AMG sports model

    The balancing act between extremely sporty yet still comfortable has been mastered especially well in the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe. As the first AMG sports model, the V6 top-of-the-range GLE Coupe enables an attractive entry to the world of the sports car and performance brand.

    "The GLE 450 AMG Coupe 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," says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. "Every vehicle from Affalterbach honors the brand promise of Driving Performance."

    The new AMG sports models display impressive product substance and honor the promise of sports performance with a higher output class, standard all-wheel drive and also sophisticated chassis solutions. The variable dynamic control system assigns fundamentally different characteristics to the five transmission modes of INDIVIDUAL, COMFORT, SLIPPERY, SPORT and SPORT+, which the driver is able to select using a rotary control on the center console. The system networks all the control systems, generating different sets of parameters. The names speak for themselves: SPORT and SPORT+ turn the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe into a sporty, dynamic vehicle with pronounced longitudinal and lateral dynamics. COMFORT is the opposite end of the spectrum. Here the emphasis is on the refined parameters so typical of classic Mercedes-Benz sedans, for relaxed, effortless cruising with the greatest possible energy efficiency. SLIPPERY optimizes the handling on surfaces with low friction coefficients such as snow or ice. In addition, INDIVIDUAL mode enables the driver to program and store personal preferences in the individual control strategies, regardless of the engine variant.

    In the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe, DYNAMIC SELECT not only modulates the "hard skills" such as the chassis and suspension, steering or powertrain. It is also possible to experience the selected mode more intensively on an emotional level because various "soft skills" such as the engine sound, instruments or dynamic control of the driving lights also vary. To this end, the nature of the various displays on the COMAND screen and in the cockpit changes according to the selected transmission mode. At the same time, the active light function of the all-LED headlamps respond more spontaneously and the engine produces the whole range of sounds from sporty and dominant to poised and restrained:

    • If the driver selects COMFORT mode, the displays take on lesser importance and, like the engine, the dial instruments such as the rev counter show a relaxed response to the driver's commands. In combination with the comfort-oriented control of the powertrain and suspension, the result is a feel-good ambience at the level of a sedan. The engine sound is reduced to a pleasant timbre, and the feedback from the road surface and surroundings is considerably quieter in the interior.
    • Things are very different when SPORT+ mode is selected. The character changes immediately, the gear changes performed by the 9G-TRONIC are acoustically accentuated, especially when downshifting with the double-declutch function, and the cockpit instruments respond faster and more "sharply". The large central display visualizes the longitudinal and lateral acceleration plus the steering angle with a photo-realistic motorsports graphic. The engine sound is powerful and acoustically underscores the sports mode. This setting removes any doubt: the GLE Coupe is a lively sports model of the highest order, and treats its occupants to a compelling world of experience.

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    Cmicasa the Great

    So wait, the new AMG engine has a 58 horsepower and 51 lb-ft deficit compared to the Cadillac V-Sport engine? 

     

     

     
    Yup.. Let alone the 455 horsepower and 445 lb torque coming out of the twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6. Mercedes is not an aspiration brand in my opinion.. well at least outside of the CLS and S-Class... and that's only when U are driving around in a Civic because U have to
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    smk4565

    I like the powertrain, it isn't an AMG engine is just more turbo boost on the current 3 liter V6.  I'd like this powertrain more on a C or E-class though.  Although the next generation E-class is getting an inline six that will replace the 3.0 V6.   The interior looks like the M-class interior of the last 5 years, so I guess this GLE coupe will get a new interior when the M-class is redone in a couple years.  This interior is a let down if they plan on charging a premium on the ML for it.  To me these coupe SUVs make no sense, if you want a sporty vehicle, buy a car.  This might cost as much as a CLS and why would you buy this over a CLS that looks better, drives better, handles better, is faster, gets better gas mileage, etc.

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    Drew Dowdell

    I like the powertrain, it isn't an AMG engine is just more turbo boost on the current 3 liter V6.  I'd like this powertrain more on a C or E-class though.  Although the next generation E-class is getting an inline six that will replace the 3.0 V6.   The interior looks like the M-class interior of the last 5 years, so I guess this GLE coupe will get a new interior when the M-class is redone in a couple years.  This interior is a let down if they plan on charging a premium on the ML for it.  To me these coupe SUVs make no sense, if you want a sporty vehicle, buy a car.  This might cost as much as a CLS and why would you buy this over a CLS that looks better, drives better, handles better, is faster, gets better gas mileage, etc.

    So what you're saying is that AMG is continuing to water down their name?

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    smk4565

    I wish they left the AMG Sport name off, I don't think it is needed (neither is M Sport or F-sport).  For years they offered an "AMG appearance package" on most of their cars and you get the AMG wheels, the front fascia or body moldings, the AMG engraved chrome exhaust pipes, etc.  I thought the sport or appearance package was enough.  And if they are going to tune the V6 to 360 hp, why not just make that the C400, CLS400, GL400, etc.  But I guess they feel like if they make a 450 they can charge more for it, and it does give buyers more options.  At least though Mercedes ups the power from the C400's 329 hp, if you buy a Lexus RX350 F Sport it has the same horsepower as the base model.

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    balthazar

    Looks like a tick ready to pop.

     

    Shouldn't this price level at least get you fog lights- some buyer's ENTIRE WORLDS revolve around fog lights and that GLARING OMISSION will be a deal killer for them.

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    G. David Felt

    Looks like a tick ready to pop.

     

    Shouldn't this price level at least get you fog lights- some buyer's ENTIRE WORLDS revolve around fog lights and that GLARING OMISSION will be a deal killer for them.

    Agreed, at this price point, they should be standard and not an Option.

     

    One Request I would love to change on all MB, BMW and Audi auto's guess for all European auto's is that stupid rear fog light requirement where one rear light is twice as bright as the other. It looks bad and really does not serve a purpose except for some political hag. If you want brighter rear lights, then just require it for the whole rear not just 1 light.

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    G. David Felt

    I wish they left the AMG Sport name off, I don't think it is needed (neither is M Sport or F-sport).  For years they offered an "AMG appearance package" on most of their cars and you get the AMG wheels, the front fascia or body moldings, the AMG engraved chrome exhaust pipes, etc.  I thought the sport or appearance package was enough.  And if they are going to tune the V6 to 360 hp, why not just make that the C400, CLS400, GL400, etc.  But I guess they feel like if they make a 450 they can charge more for it, and it does give buyers more options.  At least though Mercedes ups the power from the C400's 329 hp, if you buy a Lexus RX350 F Sport it has the same horsepower as the base model.

    So based on your comments then you would agree this is a FAILURE for MB.

     

    No other way to look at it other than just having a model for model sake to compete against BMW due to overblown ego's. This is how GM,Ford and Chrysler started down the road to mistaken problems in the late 70's, 80's and early 90's. Executive Ego is to be blamed for mistakes like this.

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    smk4565

    I don't think it is a failure, but I don't think they need this product. Limited market here, more limited than the 4-door coupe segment and to make business sense you have to charge more than an ML, which means charging closer to GL money. Wouldn't surprise me if this is a one and done product but Americans have a thirist for crossovers so who knows.

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    smk4565

    The X6 peaked at 7k units a year the year after introduction and has fallen to 4k units this year.  What thirst are you seeing there SMK?

    and the ZDX is already canceled.

    For crossovers in general, but not for coupe-like crossovers with no utility.  Americans love crap like the Rouge or Rav4 and will pay $28,000 for it, but at the same time think a $18,000 Sentra or Corolla sucks, and not realize it the same product, but one is a wagon on stilts.  BMW and Mercedes buyers prefer sedans though because they actually enjoy good handling, that is why their sedan sales kill their SUV sales.  That is why I don't think Mercedes needs a GLE coupe, it too small a market and their customer base doesn't buy that sort of product.

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    kestas57

    I still don't like this whole coupe SUV thing. I don't really understand their uses or why someone would buy one. The X6 just looks horrid and I guess the Merc is a little better but not by much. I would just go buy an X5 or a ML/GL or something.

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