Mercedes-Benz has been an offensive this year and will be launching the facelift of its M-class SUV — the GLE-class sometime this year. The M-class has been rebadged as the GLE since Mercedes-Benz has adopted a new nomenclature system. Upon its launch this year, the GLE-class lock horns with the likes of BMW X5. Audi Q5, Range Rover Sport and the new Volvo XC90.
On the exterior front, the GLE-class gets the company’s family front-end styling that was showcased on the GLE Coupe at the Los Angeles motor show last year. The SUV also gets new LED lights front and rear, large air-dams, silver skid-plate front and back and twin rectangular exhausts and roof rails.
The interior is remniscant of the M-Class but gets a new multi-function steering wheel and a freestanding infotainment system. Mercedes has also given the GLE a revised color palette – that includes ginger beige, espresso brown, saddle brown and porcelain – and an extensive assortment of trim. Customers can choose from aluminum, carbon fiber, piano black, brown ash, brown eucalyptus and brown burred walnut. The GLE gets a new seven-inch free-standing infotainment screen.
For the Indian market, Mercedes-Benz will be launching the GLE-class with the same engine options which were available on the M-class. A 2.1-litre diesel mill pumping out 203bhp will power the GLE 250d variant, whereas a 3.0-litre 255bhp V6 will sit under the hood of the GLE 350d.
The AMG variant of the GLE is GLE 63 AMG which features a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 under the hood that cranks out 557 PS and 700 Nm of torque. The GLE 63 AMG sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The GLE 63 AMG S produces 585 PS and 760 Nm of torque from the same engine and dismisses the 0-100 km/h mark in just 4.2 seconds.