Mercedes-Benz has published the first images of the new GLE ahead of its full reveal at the Paris Motor Show this month.
The second-gen mid-size SUV will compete with the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 when it goes on sale in spring 2019.
And to be honest, Merc has applied a light touch when rethinking the GLE. It looks very much the same with only the slightest of styling tweaks here and there.
As you’d expect for a big bulky Mercedes SUV, there’s a brash, bold grille up front, flanked by sharp LED lights, and around the back, there are blacked-out D-pillars and slimmer tail lights. The new GLE claims to be the most aerodynamic car in its class too, with a Cd figure from 0.29.
Inside, there’s an adapted version of the dual-screen infotainment system you’ll find in the A-, E-, and S-Class, with two 12.3-inch screens sitting above the air vents, while the rest of the cabin is fleshed out with a lavish combination of wood, metal and leather.
It’ll launch with a choice of two engines: one petrol, one diesel.
The petrol option – labelled the GLE 450 4MATIC – will use a 362bhp in-line six-pot unit, helped by 48-volt hybrid technology to improve performance and minimise emissions. On a mix of motorway and inner city driving, it can return up to 34mpg at 190g/km CO2.
Diesel drivers will get the GLE 300 d – a four-cylinder two-litre oilburner – but running figures are being held back until closer to the car’s launch. Perhaps we’ll see these numbers whebn UK pricing is announced in the autumn.
A plug-in hybrid variant with a particularly long mileage range will eventually be introduced too.
The car’s wheelbase has been extended by 80mm, creating a more spacious interior especially for rear passengers, bolstered by an extra 33mm of headroom and electrically-operated seat backs.
Boot space has grown by 125 litres too – now 825 litres – opening up to 2,055 litres with the rear seats collapsed.
Speaking of seats, this is the first time that the GLE has been made available with seating for seven people.
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