The new Mercedes-Benz GLE will cost under £56,000 when it reaches UK roads in spring 2019.
Engine options for the second-generation SUV will comprise one diesel – the GLE 300 d – and one petrol – GLE 450. Both come with all-wheel-drive.
Priced at £55,685, the GLE 300 d uses a two-litre four-cylinder unit, churning out 241bhp and 500Nm of torque.
From a standing start, this is enough grunt to hit 62mph in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 140mph. Fuel economy rings in at 46.3mpg combined, with CO2 emissions of 162g/km on 20-inch wheels.
The petrol option – GLE 450 4MATIC (£62,300) – is driven by a three-litre six-cylinder engine with 362bhp and 500Nm of torque. It packs a hearty dose of extra performance thanks to the the hybrid-esque EQ Boost – a 48-volt onboard network with a belt-driven starter/alternator that adds 21bhp to the car’s overall output.
As a result, a 0 to 62 mph sprint is possible in 5.7 seconds before speed tops out at 155mph. The payoff is that fuel economy slips to 33.6mpg at 191g/km CO2.
Standard kit for the new GLE is extremely decent, with every new GLE boasting a 12.3-inch widescreen cockpit display and 12.3-inch touchscreen media display, loaded with Merc’s MBUX multimedia system, including ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice activation.
Also included is blind spot assist, 20-inch five-twin-spoke AMG alloy wheels, illuminated grab handles and running boards, static LEDs with active high beam assist, privacy glass, anthracite open-pore oak wood trim with Nappa leather upholstery, automatically dimming driver’s exterior mirror and rear-view mirror, heated front seats, active parking assist, automatic two-zone climate control, and traffic sign assist.
Various packages can be bolted on too, such as the ‘Premium’ package (£1,995), which throws in multibeam LEDs with adaptive high beam assist plus, memory package, wireless charging and a 360-degree camera.
The £495 ‘Tech’ package includes augmented navigation and smartphone integration, while the £1,495 ‘Tech Plus’ package adds head-up display and MBUX Interior Assistant, which allows intuitive, natural operation of different comfort and MBUX functions by movement recognition.
Orders for the new GLE are open now, with the first models being delivered to customers in spring 2019.
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