Mercedes-Benz seems to be in a bit of a hurry to launch their BMW X6-rival, the new Mercedes GLE coupe crossover. They just released the official details and pictures of the GLE, and will debut the car at the Detroit Motor Show in January.
Previewed earlier this year with the Concept Coupe SUV, the Mercedes GLE is a jacked-up four-door coupe with the sleek look of something like the CLS, and the versatility and off-road prowess of the M-Class. It uses the same exact recipe that make the X6 so popular, but adds to it a bit of that magical Mercedes flair.
The car will launch in 2015 in two normal and GLE 450 AMG guises, with the latter featuring a full AMG sports body kit; a preview of the forthcoming GLE 63 AMG. The base model for Europe will feature a 280 PS diesel engine, while in America you get a twin-turbo V6 with 330 hp from the new 400 series. The Mercedes GLE 450 AMG will boast a beefier version of the same motor with 370 horsepower.
The 2016 GLE will take Mercedes’ programable driving modes to the next level by introducing the DYNAMIC SELECT variable dynamic control system with five transmission modes of INDIVIDUAL, COMFORT, SLIPPERY, SPORT and SPORT+. The car also features 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive and 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission.
None of the matter of course, because people will buy the Mercedes GLE just for the way it looks. This car is a new take on a recipe that has already proven itself to be hugely popular. We can already see Mercedes releasing a statement announcing they can’t keep up with the demand.