SPY PICS: Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 and GLE Coupe

Mercedes-Benz is clearly close to the final sign-off of its next-generation GLE and GLE Coupe large SUV models.

The big, high-riding five-door wagon and ‘coupe’ are significant for the company. Together, they claim second spot in the $70K-plus large SUV segment behind the top-selling BMW X5/X6.

In terms of Mercedes-Benz sales, the GLE SUV and Coupe together rate as the company’s sixth best selling models.

The big clincher is that, although the segment is also strongly contested by the single-model Range Rover Sport and Audi Q7, only Mercedes-Benz and BMW offer an SUV/Coupe line-up, although Porsche is set to follow with its Cayenne.

These latest photos of an AMG GLE 63 SUV wagon show clearly the next-generation’s smoother, cleaned-up side profile and more rounded upper side window lines, along with the retention of the wraparound look in the D-pillar area that is a signature of the large-class Benz SUV.

The photos also give a pretty clear idea of the tail-light layout, along with the horizontal connecting strip, commonly used in SUVs today, that accentuates width rather than height to give a more elegant look to the rear-end.

The AMG variant pictured here looks purposeful with its well-filled wheel-arches, larger alloys with obese, low-profile tyres and rectangular quad tail pipes.

The egg-crate grille is bluff, commanding and dramatised by huge outrigger vents framing a large air-intake in the lower front facia to give the macho GLE a less than subtle road presence.

The GLE AMG 63 is tipped to employ the 4.0-litre biturbo Benz V8 seen in the E 63 AMG, where it winds out 420kW/750Nm – not far short of the current GLE 63 AMG 63 5.5-litre V8’s 430kW/760Nm.

It promises, with the help of the new, lighter MRA platform, better fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.

The MRA platform is also expected to bump the GLE’s wheelbase (currently 2915mm), while adding to structural strength as well.

There is also talk of a GLE 53 AMG version using the company’s re-adopted inline six-cylinder engine configuration and producing around 325kW.

The changes in the next-generation GLE-Class Benz SUV will also be reflected in the fastback coupe version, also spotted recently, which – like the regular GLE SUV, will offer a range of petrol and diesel engines and will be available in AWD and rear-drive form.

Expectations are that the new GLE Coupe will be revealed in 2019, follow the regular GLE’s debut later this year – after the all-new BMW X5 arrives in Australia in November.