Vice President Product Group SUVs and Sports Cars Wolf-Dieter Kurz (L) and President and CEO Mercedes-Benz USA Stephen Cannon present the new Mercedes-Benz GLE 550 e 4MATIC and the new GLE 350 4MATIC during the Mercedes-Benz & smart Media Night at the 2015 New York International Auto Show in New York March 31, 2015.ANDREW KELLY/Reuters
Vehicle
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 Diesel
Signature feature
Formerly known as the ML in the M-Class, the new GLE is being introduced in a year being characterized by a "SUV feeding frenzy", as Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, proclaimed at a launch event held in New York's trendy Meatpacking District on Tuesday night. The modern styling that the S-Class first brought to Mercedes is evident in the body shape, while the interior is luxurious and simplified. The interior embodies Mercedes's reputed attention to detail, with aluminum trim, living-room leather seating, various grains of wood and a simplified dashboard.
What else is new?
Cannon, also responsible for the entire North American market, explained the company's new naming strategy prior to the New York show: "It's pretty simple: GL means SUV and stems from our classic G-Class … And the final letter stands for the platform. We set our SUV entry point with the GLA. A refreshed GLK will become the GLC. Later this year the GL will become the GLS, the S-Class of our SUV lineup." (Be prepared ---there will be a pop quiz on all this at the end of the class). … The star of the show, a plug-in hybrid offering a 329-horesepower V-6 with another 114 hp of electric power and range of about 25 km, won't be coming to Canada in part because Canadians favour the diesel engine while Americans disfavour the diesel … Safety equipment includes crosswind assist, collision prevention, cross-traffic alert, blind-spot detection and lane-keeping warnings. … A revised chassis is said to improve driving dynamics. … Interior colours include three shades of beige – ginger, espresso and saddle, plus porcelain. … Globe columnist Jeremy Cato has complained about the obtrusive monitor – the 7-inch media display is now integrated in the console.
Under the hood
Some 10 SUVs are on their way, from Mercedes. In Canada for now, Mercedes will offer the GLE 350D and two gasoline-powered models, the GLE400 and GLE 63S. The 3.0-litre V-6 turbo diesel motor produces 258 horsepower. The 400's 3.0-litre twin turbo delivers 329 horsepower. Both engines can reportedly propel the SUVs from 0-to-100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds. The 63S V-8 belts out 577 horsepower and can accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The all-wheel drive system splits torque between the front and rear axles at a 40:60 ratio. The Dynamic Select system on the 4Matics offer five driving modes for safe driving, including off-road.
When can I buy it?
It should be in showrooms before the leaves change colour. Pricing to come.
Cool quotient
4 stars (out of 5)
The GLE is going to look mighty fine, parked at the neighbourhood soccer field.
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