New 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE revealed

The all-new 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class large luxury SUV has been revealed, sporting a fresh look inside and out and bringing third-row seating, gesture control and loads of advanced technology to bear – including an evolution of the MBUX voice-controlled cockpit.

Coming to Australia from around May 2019 after its Paris motor show debut early next month, the new Mercedes-Benz GLE is based on the German company’s MRA platform architecture that also underpins the E-Class, and will rival vehicles like the Audi Q7 and just-launched 2019 BMW X5 (which arrives Australia in November 2018).

Mercedes-Benz reckons the new GLE is the only SUV on the market where (air) spring and damping forces are individually controlled at each wheel via the vehicle's E-Active Body Control system. According to Mercedes-Benz, the new GLE-Class has “the world's most intelligent SUV suspension”.

The objective? Super smooth ride comfort at one end of the spectrum and high-performance handling dynamics at the other.

The “fully networked hydro-pneumatic active suspension” will be coupled with a road surfacing scanning system designed to deliver “extraordinary” comfort levels. The chassis tech is joined by a range of engine choices, spanning four, six and eight-cylinder configurations.

So at one end of the model line-up you can have the GLE 350 powered by an efficient 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (190kW/370Nm), or go for the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8-powered GLE 63 model, which is expected to arrive a little later down the track and replaces the older 5.5-litre V8 of the current GLE 63.

There will also be a Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 model, a plug-in hybrid version of the GLE and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450. The latter is propelled by the Stuttgart’s new 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (270kW/500Nm) and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which ain’t slow, accelerating to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds.

It’s not yet clear if there’s price changes or what engine types will be coming to Australia, but the Mercedes GLE SUV is expected to mirror the current offering which starts with the four-cylinder turbo-diesel GLE 250d ($92,900) and tops out at the GLE 63 S ($192,840).

“We can’t confirm the engine line-up at this stage, however customers can expect some of the latest engine offerings from Mercedes,” said Jerry Stamoulis, Mercedes-Benz Australia’s product communications manager.

Expect Mercedes to launch the 'coupe' version of the GLE-Class SUV in early 2019, probably at the Geneva motor show in March.

All Mercedes GLE models are hooked up to a nine-speed automatic transmission and along with updates to its semi-autonomous driving aids – including active acceleration, braking and steering (the latter improved for taking corners by adjusting the speed before it gets to them) - towing first-timers will be pleased to hear of the new Trailer Manoeuvring Assist.

This optional system will “makes reversing manoeuvres easier for inexperienced trailer users” according to the GLE press statement, by taking control of the steering when reversing below 5km/h. The system uses an articulation angle sensor in the tow ball to figure out its trajectory.

As well as the new driver assistance technology, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE features a completely revised interior. Although the cabin appears to look similar to the E-Class, with a pair of big 12.3-inch high-res screens, it actually uses an evolution of the more advanced MBUX infotainment system, first seen on the new A-Class.

This will allow occupants to say “Hey Mercedes, I’m cold” and the intuitive voice interpretation will turn on the seat warmers.

You can also customise the displays, plus there’s a full-colour head-up display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus five USB ports. The updated MBUX system adds gesture control via a small camera, so front occupants can perform hand gestures if they don’t want to use voice control.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has grown in length and width and an 80mm extension to its wheelbase means that the boot is now bigger at 825 litres – up from 690 litres – expanding to 2055 litres with the back seats folded.

The extended wheelbase also sees the addition of third-row seating for families seeking a troop transporter.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLE will arrive in Australia six-months after its arch-rival, the new BMW X5, which has less boot space but gets laser headlights. Both models have a strong pedigree, launched in the late 1990s, and both have sold around two million units globally.

According to Stamoulis: “The new GLE will certainly shake up the segment when it arrives in the second quarter of next year.”