More tech for trailblazing Merc GLE
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class was a trailblazer of the large SUV category when it was launched in 1997, and it inspired everyone from Audi (Q7) to Volvo (XC90) to introduce luxury dirt-duellers of their own.
Having sold more than 2million units worldwide thus far, the all-terrain Benz has arrived in SA in its latest fourth-generation iteration, albeit now wearing the GLE badge that was introduced in 2016 as part of Mercedes’ new naming convention. If you’re a little rusty on how that works, the GLE sits above the compact GLA and the midsized GLC in Merc’s SUV line-up, and below the supersized GLS, while the boxy Gelandewagen fills its own niche as the adventurous iconoclast of the family.
Behind the large three-pointed star on the new GLE’s grille is an SUV that is reborn with new styling and a host of innovations, driver assistance systems that further increase safety and an interior that’s more spacious and comfortable with a third seat row available on request.
The infotainment system lays on larger screens and introduces gesture control which detects hand and arm movements to assist with control functions.
The GLE initially goes on sale in two diesel derivatives and one petrol model, all offered in 4Matic all-wheel drive. The sixcylinder 3.0l petrol engine in the GLE 450 is electrified with 48V
technology and produces 270kW and 500Nm of torque, with a further 250Nm available via EQ Boost over short periods. The integrated starter/alternator is responsible for hybrid functions such as EQ Boost or energy recuperation, while allowing fuel savings.
Installed in the GLE 400 d is a six-cylinder 3.0 turbo diesel that sends 243kW and 700Nm to all four wheels.
Also available at launch is the four-cylinder GLE 300 d 4MATIC with 180kW and 500Nm on offer from its 2.0 turbo diesel engine.
All variants shift power to the wheels via 9G-Tronic automatic transmissions. In the GLE 300 d the 4Matic all-wheel drive is transmitted in a fixed 50/50 front to rear ratio, while the two six-cylinder models have an electronically controlled multidisc clutch that allows a variable transfer of drive torque from 0100% between the axles.
For owners wishing to do some real trailblazing, optionally available is an off-road transfer case which offers low range and an automatic locking effect.
The GLE is equipped with the latest generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system. As standard it includes a largescreen cockpit as 31.2cm screens arranged next to each other for a widescreen digital scene that comes straight out of sci-fi movies.
The new, optional MBUX Interior Assist also allows intuitive operation of various functions by movement recognition. Move your hand towards the touchscreen or the touchpad on the centre console and the media display changes and individual elements are highlighted.
A feature of MBUX is its learning capability thanks to artificial intelligence. With its predictive functions, MBUX can anticipate the driver’s wishes, for instance a regularly used navigation destination.
The new GLE has a considerably longer wheelbase than its predecessor which has created