Mercedes-Benz Launches The GLE, Their E-Class SUV

Mercedes-Benz launches the GLE, their E-Class SUV. Formally badged as the M Class (its much less confusing now with the C,E,S nomenclature), the new car seats 7, and has a sticker price of S$370,888, inclusive of COE. "The GLE exhibits iconic Mercedes-Benz design while remaining true to its character as an off-roader," said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG. "With its design idiom it perfectly embodies our design philosophy of sensual purity, thus representing modern luxury. The interior derives its fascination from the contrast between the luxurious and elegant design and the digital high-tech of our MBUX system."

OneShift Editorial Team

25 Jul 2019

Making its way into the GLE, as with other current models, is the new MBUX Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system, which available Interior Assist. As standard it includes two large 12.3- inch/31.2 cm high-resolution screens arranged side-by-side. Apart from voice controls, the optional MBUX Interior Assist enhances user experience with intuitive, natural operation of different comfort and MBUX functions by movement recognition. When a hand approaches the touchscreen or the touchpad on the centre console, the media display changes and individual elements are e. g. highlighted. The camera in the overhead control panel is able to distinguish the driver's hand from that of the front passenger, and therefore knows for whose seat the massage function is to be activated, for example.

A larger interior, thanks to a longer wheelbase (2995 millimetres, plus 80 mm), translates to better legroom for middle-row passengers (an increase from 69mm to 1045mm), Headroom in the rear, with the standard fixed seat unit and 40:20:40 backrest division has increased by 35 millimetres to 1027mm. Luggage capacity has also been improved upon, with a maximum of 2055 litres available, with middle and last rows folded.

Passenger comfort is further enhanced by ENERGIZING seat kinetics, which makes minute adjustments to the seat cushion and backrest during a journey; and now comes with an ENERGIZING COACH, which can be paired with a Garmin® wearable to monitor stress levels, and addresses passenger wellbeing. First and second row seats are electrically operated, while the third row, which stows away from view, is operated manually.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE carries within its range, their first petrol model powered by a six-cylinder engine systematically electrified with 48-volt technology, which delivers an impressive 9.1l/100km. Power from the 3.0 straight-six is rated at 367km, while torque is a generous 500Nm, further helped by the EQ Boost system, which delivers an additional 250Nm and 22hp.

The new GLE features an optional active suspension system E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL runs on the car’s 48-volt electrical system, and features “rocking mode”, which can help to extricate the GLE from difficult off-road situations.

Other driver aids like Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC as part of the Driving Assistance package, ensures a safe distance from the vehicle in-front, and provides steering assistance, even around bends. Active Brake Assist, and optionally, Active Emergency Stop Assist and Evasive Steering Assist helps to mitigate, or even stop and steer the GLE out of trouble, in cases of emergencies.