Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 revealed

Mercedes-Benz hot tuner AMG has revealed the first application of its inline six-cylinder mild hybrid ‘53’ drivetrain in an SUV.

The recipient is the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ (to give it its full name), which is breaking cover ahead of its Geneva motor show launch in March.

Obviously separated from its mainstream GLE brethren by its over-sized grille, complete with 15 vertical strips and Benz star in a double ring at its centre, the 53 will be on-sale in Australia in quarter four of 2019, months after the mainstream model range goes on sale in April.

The 53 replaces the V6 43, which launched in Australia late in 2016 and was priced at $135,530. While Benz’s local arm won’t speculate on pricing, it’s fair to suggest it might be going up.

At the heart of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 is a fiendishly complex drivetrain that includes the new M256 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, an orthodox gas-driven turbocharger supplemented by an electric compressor, a mild hybrid system and 48-volt electrics.

The engine lifts power by 33kW to 320kW, while torque remains the same at 520Nm. However, the mild hybrid's 'EQ Boost' starter-generator can briefly add an extra 16kW and more than handy 250Nm. The 53 distributes all that via a nine-speed automatic transmission and the 4Matic+ fully variable permanent all-wheel drive system.

The result is, erm, mixed. Acceleration from 0-100km/h drops from a claimed 5.7 to 5.3 sec. But fuel consumption is up, from 8.7L/100km to 9.3L/100km. Benz says this is a result of the transition from the old-school NEDC testing to the tougher WLTP real-world regime.

The 53 rolls on the latest AMG Ride Control+ air suspension, working with AMG Active Ride Control, which has two electro-mechanical actuators operating independently of each other on the front and rear axle. Responding up to 1000 times per second, the system provides a flatter and more neutral cornering stance. It is also claimed to provide improved straight-line ride quality.

The air suspension includes continually adjustable dampers which can be switched through three modes by the driver – comfort, sport and sport+. The system is also height-adjustable and self-levelling – higher for more clearance and lower for better fuel economy. Electro-mechanical steering can be adjusted through two modes, the front brakes are monster 400x36mm internally ventilated and perforated discs working on two-piston fixed calipers (what! not six-piston, c’mon AMG!) and the GLE 53 is offered with 20 through to 22-inch light alloy wheels.

There’s even a ‘track pace’ option that can provide vehicle specific data via a virtual engineer, the analysis of times (on closed routes of course) and the storing of results.

While all that sounds very road-oriented, AMG hasn’t forgotten the off-roaders as well – although it’s hard to imagine many people wanting to take something like the GLE 53 out bush bashing. There are seven AMG Dynamic Select drive programs to adapt such things as the responsiveness of the engine, transmission, damping and even exhaust sound. Two of those modes, trail and sand, are focused on off-road driving.

Just to add another layer of complexity, you can also tune the stability control and all-wheel drive system from basic through pro to advanced. Within trail and sand you can also engage traction or slide mode when the stability control is deactivated.

Got all that?

Beyond the big grille the AMG version of the GLE is given away by narrow headlights, an A-wing in the front apron, a silver chrome-plated splitter, over-sized wheel arches and two chromed twin tailpipes.

Inside, AMG distinguishes the 53 with red colour accents, AMG lettering for the seats, black roof liner and brushed aluminium accents. Artico man-made leather abounds, although in Australia the 43 came with Nappa leather ... so here’s hoping.

The 53 includes the standard GLE’s widescreen cockpit and ‘Hey Mercedes’ MBUX operating and display system. The instrument cluster has a slew of AMG-specific set-up options and information tables, including slope, incline and level when in off-road modes. A performance steering wheel is also standard.

This is far from the end of the action for the new GLE. There’s a still at least a 63 V8 to come and a plug-in hybrid.