BIG MERC(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 77

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is the three-pointed star's take on BMW's X6, a large luxury crossover that rides on SUV underpinnings but which features a coupe-like sloping roof. Whether you like this genre of car or not, it's hard not to be impressed by Mercedes' execution of the theme. It's a sportier, more stylish coupe-styled version of the GLE-Class SUV model and gains a wider range of engines in the revised version of this second generation design.

Background word count: 166

If something works, then you should first copy it, then improve upon it. Take the rather curious, contradictory idea of a luxury SUV Coupe. BMW introduced it with their X6 model in 2007 and sold so many that Mercedes couldn't help noticing the need for something similar, hence the introduction of the first generation GLE Coupe in 2014, then followed by the announcement of this second generation version five years later. If you'd like a sportscar but need a large SUV and want something that's fashion-conscious and stylish, this Mercedes aims to satisfy. It's certainly an arresting thing to look at, as extrovert, powerful and in-your-face as a car of this kind needs to be. Yet there is perhaps a dash of maturity here too that the rival BMW X6 maybe doesn't quite have. Enough to also perfectly position this GLE Coupe against upper-spec versions of other sportier contenders in the luxury SUV segment. Here, we look at the revised version of this second generation design.

Driving Experience word count: 404

Unsurprisingly, the engine options are much as they are with the GLE SUV (save for the absence of the base 300 d mild hybrid). All GLE Coupe variants feature 4MATIC 4WD and the wide powerplant range starts with two Plug-in Hybrids. Firstly, there's the GLE 350 de diesel, a PHEV which offers that 2.0-litre 252hp engine paired to a 152hp electric motor energised by a 31.2kWh battery offering up to 67 miles of EV driving range. If you don't want diesel, there's also a Plug-in Hybrid petrol model, the GLE 400 e, which uses a 2.0-litre 252hp petrol engine paired to a 152hp electric motor, again energised by a 31.2kWh battery, here with up to 68 miles of EV range. If you'd like your GLE Coupe with a 3.0-litre six cylinder engine, there's a mild hybrid model which pair its engine to a 22hp motor, the GLE 450 d diesel with 367hp. There's just as much choice in the Mercedes-AMG sporting part of the range. Things there kick off with a 53 4MATIC+ mild hybrid 3.0-litre six cylinder model with 435hp. Next up us the 53 HYBRID, a PHEV model mating a 449hp version of that 3.0-litre 'six' with a 170hp electric motor energised by the aforementioned 31.2kWh battery, which when charged can travel up to 56 miles on EV power; 62mph from rest takes just 4.7s. Finally, if you're totally out of tune with the current zeitgeist, you could stretch to the thumping GLE 63, which has a defiantly un-electrified 612hp 4.0-litre petrol V8 and demolishes 62mph in just 3.9s. In all variants, power is transmitted via 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. Ride comfort and agility are promised by the optional 48V E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension, which is combined with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension. This is the only system in the market where the spring and damping forces can be individually controlled at each wheel. This means that it not only counteracts body roll, but also pitching and squat. On the conventional model, an optional 'Off-Road Engineering' package adds under-body protection, air suspension and 30mm of extra ground clearance. If air suspension and the 'E-Active Body Control' system have been fitted, Mercedes says the GLE can tow up to 3.5-tonnes. And the car can be had with a clever 'Trailer Manoevring assist' system and also a 'trailer route planner' in the nav system to help drivers avoid pinch points for long or tall vehicles.