Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 - now with slopier roof
Six months after the GLE 53 was revealed, AMG has pulled the covers off the coupe version
Mercedes-AMG has announced the latest addition to its hot-SUV lineup in the form of the GLE 53 Coupe. As with the traditionally-shaped GLE 53, the Coupe is powered by the same 435hp 3.0-litre straight-six as can be found in the E53 estate, equipped with the same 48-volt mild-hybrid tech. Sending its power through all four wheels through the same nine-ratio AMG Speedshift transmission, the Coupe hits 62mph in the same 5.3-second time and hits the same 155mph limited top speed.
Aside from a 60mm shorter wheelbase in order to promote enhanced agility, the Coupe is virtually identical to the standard car mechanically. The key differences come in its external design, then, which features an AMG-specific radiator grille, an AMG front apron with ‘sporty’ louvred air inlets and a silver-trimmed diffuser which accentuates the car’s width. A “stylish and striking coupe silhouette,” which “makes for a self-assured appearance, with design lines that convey the passion for performance” is how Merc describes it.
Flared wheel arches allow space for 20-inch alloy wheels as standard with a choice of six other options ranging from 20- to 22-inches in size, and there’s a special AMG exhaust system with twin dual tailpipes too. For those who’d rather have their chrome trim blacked-out, the AMG Night package includes dark-tinted windows and a black front splitter, front apron, rear diffuser, mirror caps, window frames and tailpipe trims.
"The new GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe adds even more style and elegance to our SUV family, together with hallmark AMG features such as the brand-specific radiator grille. The attractive coupe lines envelop sophisticated suspension technology and our powerful, efficient six-cylinder in-line engine with 48-volt technology. Both guarantee a thrilling driving experience in terms of longitudinal and lateral dynamics," said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG. You can see how it compares to the ‘regular’ GLE 53 in the original story below.
Original story - 27.02.2019
Did you see Dan's drive of Mercedes-AMG's new E53 estate last weekend? If not, then go and check it out, then come back here (except you won't, because fast estates are better than SUVs, so once you've seen that why would you want this?) Anyway, Merc has put the powertrain from that car in this: the new GLE 53.
It's the same twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six as Dan sampled, putting out the same 435hp and 383lb ft to all four wheels via the same nine-speed automatic transmission. The unit's party piece is once again its EQ Boost 48V onboard electrical system. Fitted between the engine and transmission, it not only powers an electric compressor which works to eliminate turbo lag and improve efficiency, but also provides a range of mild hybrid functions. These include a power boost of 16 kW and 185lb ft of torque, energy recovery, 'gliding mode' and the GLE's imperceptible start/stop function.
In this installation the set-up results in 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds and an electronically limited speed of 155mph. Helping keep all that performance in check are a whole host of systems including AMG Active Ride Control for the suspension, AMG Dynamic Select drive programmes, Sports Steering and high-performance brakes. There's also a selectable AMG Performance Exhaust system to "make the driving experience even more emotional."
To set it apart from less sporting models visually, the GLE 53 gets an AMG-specific radiator grille with 15 vertical strips, making it "immediately obvious that it is part of the AMG family." There are also 20-inch light alloy wheels - with seven alternatives up to 22-inches available - as well as a chrome-plated front splitter, diffuser strip and tailpipes. Should that all sound a little blingy, the optional AMG Night Package undoes it all, making everything - including the mirror covers, window frames and roof railing - black.
As for why such a thing needs to exist at all, Tobias Moers, Chief Executive of Mercedes-AMG, explained: "As the inventors of the performance SUV, it is important to us to continue to be at the top with the new generation of the GLE when it comes to innovations, driving dynamics, individuality and design. The first step here is the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+, with which we offer our customers more power than the predecessor model as well as our fully variable all-wheel technology. Not least of all its striking radiator grill shows our new GLE 53 as a fully-fledged member of the AMG family." Jolly good. Next.
"pointless" in what way? It carries people around, and it'll do it pretty well I'm sure. I'm not sure how it's pointless exactly? You might not like it (and neither do I), but pointless? No. Pointless means it has no purpose, I'd say the main job of a car is to allow people to drive to a given destination, and it seems to fulfill that purpose.
Or are you talking about the fact you don't like the (subjective) styling? Surely the really insecure wouldn't buy these cars, because they'd be worried about what total strangers on the internet might think of them
To flip that, if they don't worry about the fact total strangers on the internet think they're insecure then they aren't doing too badly....Just curious regarding your reasoning
In summary awful.
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