Meet Mercedes-Benz’s most hi-tech SUV ever
David Linklater.
Mercedes-Benz has given the first official look at its new GLE SUV. It’s been a long time coming. The current GLE is something of a museum piece compared with the rest of the marque’s range. It was launched in 2011 as the ML-class and in fact the platform dates back to the days of DaimlerChrysler, meaning it’s still a close relation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
It’s been called GLE since 2015, to fit in with a new naming system for Mercedes-Benz models that aligns SUVs with their passengercar equivalents (GLE goes with the E-class).
The all-new GLE has climbed several generations above the old. New technology includes E-Active Body Control powered by a 48-volt electrical system, Active Stop-andGo Assist, the MBUX intelligent interior assistant (as seen in the new A-class) and a completely new range of engines.
The American-built GLE will also be available with a third-row seating option for the first time when it’s launched in the second quarter of 2019. A plug-in hybrid variant ‘‘with a particularly long range’’ will be added at a later stage, says the company.
No word on the inevitable Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 yet. But don’t worry, it will come.
E-Active Body Control is a fully networked hydropneumatic, active suspension on a 48-volt system, for the first time in combination with the new air suspension. Mercedes says it’s the only system in the market where the spring and damping forces can be individually controlled at each wheel. This means that it not only counteracts body roll, but also pitching and squat.
Active Tailback Assist is a driving assistance system that enables the GLE to recognise tailbacks at an early stage, actively support the driver in stopand-go traffic up to 60kmh and even help to form a rescue lane.
Fully variable 4Matic is now available on all models – including the forthcoming hybrid. Torque on Demand (TonD) controls the torque distribution between the front and rear axle from 0-100 per cent depending on the selected driving mode. With the optional Off-road package, M-B claims the availability of fully variable allwheel drive (TonD) in both low and high range is a world first.
An 80mm increase in wheelbase has helped liberate space for the new third-row seating. It features six fully electric adjustments. The right and left seats can be separately adjusted fore-and-aft by up to 100mm, the backrests are adjustable for angle and foldable in a 40/20/40 ratio.
The GLE will be launched with a new in-line six-cylinder petrol engine (including 48-volt technology), and other engines including diesels and a plug-in hybrid will follow.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC as the first petrol model is powered by a six-cylinder engine systematically electrified with 48-volt technology. It makes 270kW/500Nm of torque, with a further 250Nm of torque and 16kW available via EQ Boost over short periods.
All variants have a 9G-Tronic automatic. With the four-cylinder engines, 4Matic all-wheel-drive is realised with a transfer case which transmits the drive torque to the axles in a fixed ratio of 50/50.
A transfer case with an electronically controlled multidisc clutch is used for the six and eight-cylinder engines. This allows a variable transfer of drive torque from 0-100 per cent between the axles. Also new, and available as an option, is a transfer case specially configured for superior off-road driving characteristics. In addition to the torque-on-demand function, this has a reduction gear set and an automatic locking effect from 0-100 per cent for off-road driving.
When driving on the road, and particularly when cornering, the two networked transfer cases allow a further improvement in handling safety and agility by specifically influencing the degree of yaw to induce oversteer or understeer.
Active Distance Assist Distronic and Active Steering Assist now adjust automatically ahead of bends or junctions. This is complemented by Evasive Steering Assist, an improved Active Lane Keeping Assist and also the additional functions of the Active Emergency Stop Assist.
Like the recently launched A-class, the new GLE is equipped with Active Blind Spot Assist with exit warning. This function can lower the risk of a collision with other road users, such as passing cyclists. It monitors the blind spot when at standstill, and can warn the driver of approaching vehicles, motorcycles or bicycles when opening the door. This function is active for up to three minutes after switching off the engine.