Luxury in the metal
Discovering the new Mercedes-Benz GLE 450d
It’s a show-stopper and a head-turner. Just about everywhere I took the sporty
SUV, it got more than just stares. And it’s easy to see why. Firstly, it’s bigger than usual and those 22-inch wheels make it sit higher than most SUVs.
Aesthetically, it’s a real stand-out with sweeping lines from bumper to bumper. The front grill has been re-imagined and the interior is well appointed with luxury. And the ride? It’s like floating away on a magic carpet ride, with up to 270 kW plus 15 kW Output, seven seats, 630-litre boot capacity and 2 700 kg towing capacity.
EXTERIOR
The new GLE inspires with more than just one exterior highlight: the optimised front design with new radiator grille emphasises its dynamic SUV character. The optionally available 22-inch light-alloy wheels and the bright panoramic sunroof embody a high level of driving comfort even at first glance. Allow yourself to be impressed by the refined details: the ambient lighting, as an animated Mercedes-Benz pattern is projected onto the ground when the doors are opened.
INTERIOR
The interior of the new GLE inspires with first-class comfort and high-quality materials for an exclusive feel-good ambience. Equipped with a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and the latest generation MBUX, the GLE offers excellent operating comfort on every journey.
TRAFFIC SIGN ASSIST
Thanks to intelligent linking of camera and map data, traffic sign assist is not only able to detect speed limits, overtaking restrictions and when they are cancelled, it also shows no-entry restrictions and warns the driver of entering roads against the flow of traffic.
The duo of active parking assist and 360° cameras can really assist when parking, backing out and manoeuvring. It can even detect free parking spaces when driving past. The all-round view, thanks to the 360° camera, including a virtual bird’s-eye view, is particularly impressive.
DRIVING ASSISTANCE PACKAGE PLUS
The driving assistance package plus supports the driver according to the situation with speed adjustment, steering and collision risk. The package includes numerous assistance systems such as active distance assist Distronic or active tailback assist. This can reduce the risk of accidents and effectively protect passengers and road users.
4MATIC ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
The 4MATIC all-wheel drive applies the power delivered by the muscular engines to impressive effect. Always active, the system improves traction and handling especially in difficult road conditions. It is a true safety advantage in wet, snow and icy conditions, and a reliable basis for sporty driving pleasure.
GUARD 360° VEHICLE PROTECTION PLUS
Guard 360° Vehicle Protection Plus provides allround monitoring of the vehicle surroundings. Thanks to the anti-theft alarm system, as well as emergency key deactivation, the driver will be able to act quickly. The collision detection function of Mercedes me informs you via the app. In addition, in the event of
VERDICT PRICE
vehicle theft, the service increases the chance of recovering
SIDE AIR BAGS IN THE REAR
The side air bags in the rear protect the chest area of passengers on the outer rear seats in the event of a severe side impact. Together with the standard window bags, they offer optimum safety potential to prevent or mitigate injuries. The air cushions deploy between door and occupant.
I mentioned that this is a magic carpet ride. I’ll even add that the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450d 4matic is a Gomma-Gomma on wheels. It is luxury personified. It is a perfectly shaped SUV that is capable of going anywhere (it has an off-road option). Even on rugged terrain, expect a ride of amazing smoothness. The engine-gearbox mating is also ultra-smooth and all the driver will hear is the perfect purr of the engine. In Sport mode, the SUV turns into a beast, with matching sound from the twin tail-pipes. It is at the high end when it comes to pricing.
R1 838 089 including VAT.
This excludes the cost of service and maintenance plans.