Has Mercedes given up on choice?

[jembobb]

In the market for a new hybrid SUV (pure EV not enough range for long trips and I have an i3 for local stuff) so went to check out the new Merc GLE 350de and X5 45e. Merc dealer had no idea about the car even though they were taking orders (for what then?) so went online and seems that Mercedes have decided you can't choose anything other than default wheels, default leather (black). As a 5-seater you can't even spec things that come with the 7-seat non-electric models (4 zone climate; elec rear seats etc) so basically there is very limited option to personalise the car even though it costs more than £60k. Looking at the BMW configurator the opposite is true for the X5 - loads of trim and spec choice. Yes the x5 options come at a hefty price but at least you can tailor the car you want. Question is i) why Mercedes have given up on offering any choice on basic stuff like trim? and ii) is that the way the market is going so BMW is likely to change at some point?

[robbieduncan]

Seems so: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[jembobb]

Can't get my head around how offering a different leather colour than black impacts WLTP numbers though...?

[55palfers]

My wife wants a car with light coloured upholstery.

No can do.

Nothing much in AUC either