At the international exhibition in New York in early April 2015, the German automaker Mercedes-Benz held the first public display of an updated version of the mid-size premium ML-class crossover, which, as a result of renaming (i.e. renaming), received a new name - GLE, but retained the old index - W166. But the Germans did not stop there - the car became noticeably prettier in appearance, trying on the style of the flagship S-Class sedan, got a revised interior decoration and a new range of power units.
Externally, the Mercedes-Benz GLE looks attractive, fit and solid. From the “face”, the SUV is like a successful cocktail of different models of the brand: beautiful optics with LED “eyebrows” of running lights, a relief hood with powerful power ribs, a huge three-beam star on the radiator grille and an aggressive bumper.
The confident silhouette of the car exudes expressiveness and sportiness - elongated lines, short body overhangs and "muscular" wheel arches accommodating "rollers" measuring from 17 to 19 inches. The rear part looks more restrained, but at the same time presentable, and all thanks to the elegant headlights with LED "stuffing" and striking tailpipes of the exhaust system.
In terms of its overall dimensions, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-class belongs to the segment of mid-size crossovers of the premium segment: 4819 mm in length, 1935 mm in width and 1796 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2915 mm. In the standard position, the ground clearance of the "German" is 202 mm, and on versions with air suspension, the clearance varies from 180 to 255 mm.
The interior of the SUV is modern and noble in appearance, and all around is cozy and high-quality furnishings with a relief multifunctional steering wheel, a beautiful instrument cluster with two "wells" and an information display sticking out of the center console with an 8-inch "tablet" of the multimedia center and the usual audio system control units and climatic complex. The GLE furniture is finished with high-quality materials, in particular, expensive leather, aluminum and natural wood, although there are also good-quality plastics in the basic versions.
The front seats are not only good-looking, but also ergonomic in practice - lateral support is developed enough, and adjustments are made in decent ranges. It is comfortable in the rear seats, and the backrest, "cut" into parts, can be adjusted according to the angle of inclination. For greater convenience of passengers of the second row, heating, an individual "climate" unit and screens of the multimedia system are available as options.
The strong point of the Mercedes GLE-class is its practicality: the volume of the luggage compartment, depending on the position of the back of the "gallery", varies from 690 to 2010 liters (when loaded along the window sill line). The content of the "cellar" depends on the modification - there may be a full-size spare wheel, or an air suspension receiver and a repair kit.
Specifications. For the Russian market, the Mercedes GLE is equipped with five powertrain options, two types of gearboxes and an exclusively all-wheel drive transmission.
- The engine compartment of the basic version GLE 250 d 4Matic Filled with in-line four-cylinder turbo diesel with sequential dual-charging and direct injection of 2.1 liters (2143 cubic centimeters), producing 204 horsepower at 3800 rpm and 500 Nm of maximum thrust at 1600-1800 rpm. He is accompanied by a 9-band "automatic" 9G-Tronic, as a result of which the car accelerates to the first "hundred" in 8.6 seconds, reaches 210 km / h and requires an average of 5.9 liters of "diesel" in combined conditions.
- More powerful diesel option GLE 350 d 4Matic equipped with a bi-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, the return of which has 249 "horses" at 3400 rpm and 620 Nm of torque, realized from around 1600 rpm. Combined with a nine-speed automatic transmission, it allows the crossover to gain 225 km / h, leaving behind the first 100 km / h after 7.1 seconds, and "eat" 6.6 liters of fuel on the combined cycle.
- Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 4Matic installed gasoline V-shaped "six" of 3.0 liters, equipped with direct power supply and a pair of turbochargers and working in tandem with a 7-band automatic transmission. In its bins there are 333 "horses" available at 5250-6000 rpm, and 480 Nm of torque delivered to the wheels in the range from 1600 to 4000 rpm. Such an all-terrain vehicle overcomes the starting spurt to the first "hundred" after 6.1 seconds, and stops accelerating when it reaches 247 km / h. Passport fuel consumption - 9.2 liters in combined mode.
- "Top" modification GLE 500 4Matic "Flaunts" a 4.7-liter bi-turbo V8 engine with direct fuel injection technology, generating 435 horsepower at 5250 rpm and 700 Nm of peak thrust at 1800-4000 rpm. Like the previous version, it is aggregated with an “automatic” in seven steps, giving the car the following characteristics: 5.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km / m, 250 km / h “maximum speed” and 11.5 liters of fuel “appetite” for every 100 km.
- In addition, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is available in a hybrid version. GLE 500 e 4Matic... He relies on a 3.0-liter 333-horsepower "six" with twin turbocharging, an electric motor with a capacity of 116 "mares", a set of lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 8.7 kilowatt-hours and a 7-speed 7G-Tronic Plus. The total potential of the gasoline-electric installation reaches 449 "horses" and 820 Nm of torque. The extremely ambidextrous crossover “shoots” up to 245 km / h, starting up to 100 km / h in 5.3 seconds and “eating” an average of 3.5 liters of gasoline. On pure electric traction "German" is able to drive up to 30 km.
The all-wheel drive transmission on the Mercedes-Benz GLE is with low-inertia drives and a free center differential that divides the moment between the axles in equal shares. A more advanced version with the "Offroad" package is equipped with a "transfer case" with a reduction gear and a differential lock by means of a multi-plate clutch.
The premium SUV features an independent chassis on both axles: double wishbones at the front and multi-link architecture at the rear. The basic chassis is a spring-loaded design, and an optional Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping is available.
An electric power steering with variable characteristics is installed on the Mercedes GLE, and ventilated brake discs are used on all its wheels (however, on the basic versions, there are mechanisms without ventilation at the back) and a lot of modern assistants (ABS, EBD, BAS and others).
Options and prices. On the Russian market, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is sold at a price of 3,490,000 rubles - this is exactly what they ask for the basic solution of the GLE 250 d 4Matic. In his arsenal there are nine airbags, ESP, ABS with EBD, dual-zone "climate", cruise control, a system "start-stop", a standard audio system with eight speakers, 17-inch rims, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, and also other equipment.
The most affordable petrol version of the GLE 400 4Matic will cost from 3,990,000 rubles, and the top-end GLE 500 4Matic (as well as the hybrid version) - from 4,990,000 rubles. Full stuffing includes leather trim, 19-inch alloy rollers, adaptive lighting, front and rear parking sensors, automatic parking, anti-collision technology and much more.
