DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Benz GLE 63 AMG Coupe
Mercedes reveals its full GLE Coupe line-up ahead of Australian launch in six monthsFull details of Mercedes-Benz's answer to the BMW X6 have been released on the eve of the Detroit motor show, where the GLE 63 AMG Coupe 4MATIC will be its star attraction.
The full range of GLE Coupes will go on sale in Australia in the third quarter of this year, followed soon after by the SUV on which it's based, the new GLE (facelifted M-Class), which will be revealed at the New York show in April, when the GLS (facelifted GL-Class) could also appear.
The smaller new GLC, which replaces the GLK that was never sold in Australia, will likely be revealed at the Frankfurt show in September, finally giving Mercedes a rival for popular mid-size luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in Australia early next year.
For now, the GLE Coupe will arrive Down Under around August in at least three model grades and priced from about $110,000 for the entry-level GLE 350 d, powered by a 190kW/620Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.
Next up is the GLE 400, fitted with a 245kW/480Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, and the GLE 450 AMG, which packs a 270kW/520Nm version of the same engine. It's not yet clear whether Australians will be offered both V6 petrol variants.
At the top of the GLE Coupe tree are two versions of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe, both powered by AMG's older twin-turbo 5.5-litre petrol V8, rather than the newer 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 seen in the AMG GT.
The regular GLE 63 Coupe offers 410kW at 5750rpm and 700Nm at 1750-5500rpm, while new GLE 63 S Coupe packs a beefier output of 430kW at 5500rpm and 760Nm at 1750-5250rpm.
Both models consume 11.9L/100km and emit 279g/km of CO2, but the S version sprints to 100km/h one-tenth sooner in a claimed 4.2 seconds.
As with the latest E 63 AMG, Australians are likely to be offered only the hotter S version.
All GLE Coupes come standard with 4MATIC all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, but while the AMG 63s employ the seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC auto, the V6 petrol and diesel models come with Daimler's newer 9G-TRONIC nine-speed auto. All three AMG models offer front/rear torque distribution of 40/60, while the other two are 50/50.
The GLE 450 AMG also rides on staggered-width 21-inch alloys fitted with huge 275/45 front and 315/40 rear tyres, while the other six-cylinder models employ 20-inch wheels with 275/50 tyres all round. V8 models score unique 10-spoke 21s with 285/45 front and 325/40 rear tyres.
Basic GLE Coupe dimensions comprise a length of 4900mm, width of 2003mm and height of 1731mm.
Unique to the AMG 63s is AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM active roll stabilisation, the Sports Direct-Steer system and five DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes: Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus.
Apart from a more aggressive body kit, both V8s also come with a host of other AMG additions, as well as the option of 22-inch alloys, a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system, COMAND Online, DISTRONIC PLUS, Driving Assistance Plus package, Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system, a carbon-fibre engine cover, performance exhaust system and carbon/black piano lacquer interior trim.
While the GLE 350 d and 400 come with steel suspension and AGILITY CONTROL (others get AIRMATIC air springs), all GLEs feature LED headlights, DYNAMIC SELECT handling control, a powered EASY-PACK tailgate, reversing camera with dynamic guide lines, ESP Curve Dynamic Assist, Crosswind Assist, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS and BAS PLUS braking.
Naturally, there's the option of Driving Assistance package Plus including DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, PRE-SAFE Brake with pedestrian detection, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE PLUS.
A rear-seat DVD entertainment system, eight-inch TFT colour touch-screen, panoramic sunroof and 11 paint colours will also be available.
Perhaps less important to prospective buyers of the five-seat GLE Coupe is a towing capacity of up to 3500kg and total cargo space of 1650 litres, which Mercedes says is class-leading.
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