Mercedes GLE Coupé
Sportier, more expensive premium SUV hits the road
MERCEDES has an SUV range that now spans eight distinct models, together accounting for a third of the maker’s global sales. A new version, no matter how niche, is big news for brand and customers alike.
The GLE Coupé, first launched in 2015, is back for a second generation – and despite featuring a slightly shorter wheelbase than the standard GLE, it’s 39mm longer and 7mm wider than its predecessor. It’s on sale now, but the first cars will only arrive in UK showrooms next summer.
A few months ago (Issue 1,596) we sat in a GLE Coupé alongside Mercedes’ director of SUV development, Dr. Andreas Zygan, but this is our first chance to try the car from the driver’s seat. A pair of plug-in hybrids will arrive at a later date, but for now buyers get the choice of just one diesel, as well as the AMG-fettled GLE 53 flagship.
Customers complained that the old model didn’t drive as sweetly as its sporty silhouette suggested; dynamically, Zygan and his team needed to ensure the new GLE Coupé was sharper than before. But doing so wasn’t without its challenges. The engineers have not only shortened the wheelbase – they’ve also stiffened the suspension, added a quicker steering rack and even tweaked the gear ratios to make the Coupé feel different to the comfort-focused GLE .
Trouble is, no matter how many tweaks Zygan makes, the tall, cumbersome Coupé can’t entirely shake off its roots. This is still an enormous and imposing car to drive, and it struggles to move its undeniable mass quite as effectively as, say, a Porsche Cayenne. There’s a fair bit of body lean during faster cornering, for example.
The GLE’s steering is light and lacks feel, but there is loads of grip – even on the icy roads we drove high in the Austrian Alps. There are myriad drive modes, as well as an individual setting, which allows you to tweak the car’s set-up to suit your driving style. The nine-speed gearbox is excellent, shifting quickly in manual mode, and
almost imperceptibly when you allow the car to do the legwork of its own accord.
Engines are strong – we tried both the GLE 400 d and the AMG GLE 53, and each pulls with the grunt you’d expect of a torquey six-cylinder motor. Mercedes offers a four-cylinder 300 d in the standard GLE, but it won’t be available in the Coupé.
The 400 d picks up instantly (0-62mph takes 5.7 seconds), firing you towards the horizon in a smooth fashion. This is an accomplished cruiser, too, even on winter tyres. You’ll notice a little whistle from the door mirrors at 80mph, but otherwise it’s a quiet car to cover long distances in.
The ride is typically plush, although our car featured Merc’s E-Active Body Control system, first seen on the GLS. It’s not even an option in the UK; Brit-bound cars will come with conventional air suspension – and our experience of this set-up on the standard GLE would suggest the Coupé will be among the most comfortable cars in its class.
Naturally, practicality takes a hit over the conventional GLE. There’s no seven-seat option, and that sloping roof means cabin and boot space is restricted. However, there’s still loads of legroom, and headroom isn’t as compromised as you may think; only those over six-foot will struggle.
Mercedes claims to have lowered the old GLE Coupé’s rear load lip by 60mm, but you still need to lift things high to get them in the boot. There’s 600 litres to play with, but again, that lower roofline does affect outright practicality. But fold the seats flat and there’s still a sizeable 1,790 litres at your disposal.
Up front, you’re presented with a highquality, tech-laden cabin with all the latest kit and connectivity options. There’s just one spec to choose from with the GLE 400 d: AMG Line Premium Plus. This features a Burmester stereo, panoramic roof, 22-inch wheels and Multibeam LED lights. Mercedes will offer an optional towing package, too.
“This is an imposing car to drive, and it struggles to move its mass effectively”