Mercedes Debuts the GLE-Class

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes has promised a new naming system for all of its vehicles, and with these new names will come new looks. Today, the latest of these redesigned and renamed models makes its debut, as Mercedes has updated the existing M-Class SUV and officially changed its name to the GLE-Class (“GL” indicates it’s an SUV and the “E” indicates its positioning in the lineup).

The GLE-Class isn’t a revolutionary redesign of the M-Class, but it is a pretty dramatic evolution of its looks. The front end of the 2016 GLE-Class is where Mercedes did most of its work, as it installed a new twin-bar grille, installed larger headlights, and completely revamped the bumper, giving it larger intakes on each end.

From the profile view, the silhouette remains unchanged, but the doors loose the deep scallop that the 2015 M-Class had. While some may feel that this makes the GLE-Class a bit boring, I feel that it cleans things up a bit.

Around back, things Mercedes spent a lot less time updating things. Really, the only changes I can make out on the rear are new exhaust exits and a lightly refreshed bumper.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

In total, there will be six versions of the GLE-Class. The base model will be the GLE350, which will come standard with rear-wheel drive and have optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive available. The GLE350 will carry a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that puts out 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This will allow the SUV to hit 60 mph in 7.5 seconds.

Next up will be the GLE400 4MATIC, which will make use of a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 329 horses and 354 pound-feet of torque. This model will hit 60 mph in 7.5 seconds.

The GLE-Class also gets a plug-in hybrid model dubbed the GLE550e 4MATIC. This model makes use of the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 found in the GLE400 4MATIC mated to an electric motor that adds in 114 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. This puts the total output at 436 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, the GLE550e can travel up to 18.6 miles and up to 81 mph on electric only. Initial fuel economy testing in Europe puts the GLE550e at 71 mpg. This model takes two hours to recharge on a wallbox charger or a charging station.

A diesel engine will also be available in the GLE300d 4MATIC. This model will use a 2.1-liter diesel-powered four-cylinder that produces 201 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLE300d 4MATIC is the slowest of the GLE-Class models at 8.9 seconds to 60 mph, but it will likely be the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid model.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 4MATIC

The last of the GLE-Class models are the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 4MATIC and the GLE63 S 4MATIC. Both of these models use the same 5.5-liter V-8 engine, but their output varies. The standard model produces 550 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, whereas the S model produces 577 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque. This results in a 4.3-second run to 60 mph in the base model and a 4.2-second run in the S model.

There is no mention of when the GLE-Class will be available for sale, but Mercedes will likely reveal that at the New York Auto Show.