Review
Mercedes GLE Coupe
With the arrival of the GLE Coupé, Mercedes combines the sportiness of a coupe with the robust appearance of an SUV in one brand new model. We were given a taste of this with a test drive with the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupé, the entry-level entry in the AMG range.
GLE Coupe
The GLE Coupé can now be chosen in 5 different engines. There is one diesel version, the GLE 350 d 4MATIC Coupé from 67,276 euros. Here a 3.0-liter V6 with 258 hp shines. All other models are petrol versions. The entry-level is the GLE 400 4MATIC Coupé with a 3.0-liter BiTurbo with 333 hp for at least 69,333 euros. This is immediately followed by the entry-level entry into the AMG range, the 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupé, also with a 3.0 V6 BiTurbo, but with 367 hp and this for 78,045 euros. The top models include the 63 AMG and the 63 S AMG. Both models have a 5.4 V8 with 557 hp and 585 hp respectively. These barely need 4.3 to 4.2 seconds to sprint from 0-100 km/h. Impressive for a car of this size. You will have to dig deep into your pockets for this. 122k euros for the 63 and 132k euros for the 63 S.
GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupé
The Mercedes GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupé has a roaring 3.0-liter V6 BiTurbo petrol engine under the hood with a power of 367 hp and 520 Nm of torque. On paper this does not seem like a lot, but believe us, they are powerful horses that are always ready to break out, but on the other hand they are also easy to tame. The 450 AMG can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and the top speed is 250 km/h. The GLE Coupé has permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC and a nine-speed automatic transmission 9G-TRONIC. Only on the AMG 63 and AMG 63 S do we find a different transmission, namely an AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC with seven gears.
Via DYNAMIC SELECT, a rotary knob on the center console, you can sensitively change the driving experience of the GLE Coupé depending on what exactly you want at that moment. Depending on what you choose, the settings of the chassis, suspension, steering and engine sound change. This is so ingenious that the GLE Coupé, for example, feels like a completely different car in SPORT+ than in COMFORT. In COMFORT the car feels very comfortable and balanced, almost comparable to a sedan. An extremely luxurious sedan. The engine sound is quieter and you hardly feel any bumps in the road. The car also responds more reasonedly to impulses on the accelerator pedal. In SPORT+ you get a different story. The gearbox shifts up and down very quickly. With every upshift you hear a loud metallic groan coming from the exhaust. Also in between you are treated to pops and bangs from the exhaust, as you would expect from a true AMG. The car responds much faster to the accelerator and the steering feels much sharper and more direct. The car is also tighter and stiffer on the road, which means you have to sacrifice some comfort on a bumpy road. However, with a turn of the knob towards COMFORT you can cruise again in peace and comfort. It’s amazing how flexible this car can be.
On the GLE 450 AMG you get the AIRMATIC package as standard. This includes air suspension and the adaptive damping system ADS PLUS. The advantage of this system is that you can make every ride comfortable and buttery soft or rather tight and sporty.
Sporty design
The appearance of the GLE Coupé seems to divide opinions somewhat. There are also too many references to the BMW X6. Personally, we think the GLE Coupé actually looks beautiful from most angles. Viewed from the front, the car looks very cool and sporty. Viewed from behind, there is also a certain elegance in the lines. A car of this size also requires large rims. There is simply no other way. We also find 21” rims as standard on the AMG model. You can also optionally choose 22″ rims. We found the 22” 5-spoke rims on our test car. Personally, we would definitely consider that upgrade. This gives a much fuller appearance to the car.
In the interior, the GLE 450 features sports seats and a multifunctional sports steering wheel in nappa leather and a 3-spoke design. It all looks very sleek and well finished. Especially with the decorative elements in black piano lacquer. The speakers of the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system are also a feast for the eyes.
Conclusion
After meeting the GLE Coupé, we are convinced that this could be a winner. All the practical benefits of an SUV combined with the fun of a sporty coupe. Thanks to DYNAMIC SELECT you can customize the GLE Coupé to your liking in no time. Especially in SPORT+, the AMG 450 is a dream to drive. You get more than enough power, loads of driving pleasure and all this to a great soundtrack from AMG.
Johan De Haes
Test driver
