Cars

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE debuts with more electrified power

2023-Mercedes-AMG-GLE-53

Mercedes-Benz has updated the GLE lineup for 2023 with styling tweaks, upgraded onboard tech and electrified powertrain options. Pricing is yet to be disclosed, but the updated GLE models will reach European dealers from July 2023. The lineup includes GLE, GLE Coupe and their AMG siblings.

The visual changes can be discovered mainly on the front fascia where there’s a new set of optional Multibeam LED headlights featuring four running light dashes; the standard LEDs come with two such dashes. However, note that the Multibeam LEDs come standard in the AMG models. The designers have also revised the taillight internals: on the GLE, the light signet is formed by two horizontal blocks, while on the GLE Coupé, it is two bars.

The AMG Line exterior now comes standard on the GLE Coupé. The package includes a diamond grille with a Mercedes-Benz pattern in chrome, the AMG front bumper with chrome element, AMG side sill panels and wheel arch cladding in the vehicle color, as well as the AMG rear bumper with diffuser-like insert.

Two new colors join the palette: sodalite blue metallic and Manufaktur alpine grey solid. Two aerodynamically optimized light-alloy wheels in 19- and 20-inch sizes round off the list of choices for the GLE. The AMG Line exterior also features a new 21-inch wheel design. The AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ rides on 22-inch forged wheels in a 10-twin-spoke design as standard. The AMG Active Ride Control active roll stabilization system is fitted as standard in the 63 and is optional in the 53 model. The AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with adaptive dampers is standard on both models.

On the inside, there’s a new steering wheel with touch surfaces; chrome look for the air vents; new interior color options (catalana beige/black and bahia brown/black); black/classic red theme for AMG Line; a 13-speaker Burmester audio system with personal sound setup as well as the Dolby Atmos; second-gen MBUX system with two 12.3-inch displays; wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity, and optional Energizing Air Control air quality monitoring system.

Moving on to the juicy bits of the story then, the regular GLE models are available in GLE 450 4Matic (3.0L petrol), GLE 300 d 4Matic (2.0L diesel) and GLE 450 d 4Matic (3.0L diesel) variants, all combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that offers 15 kW (20 metric hp) and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft) of additional temporary boost as needed.

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You also got two plug-in hybrid options: GLE 400 e 4Matic and GLE 350 de 4Matic. The petrol variant combines a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged unit with an electric motor and a 9-speed automatic gearbox, offering combined figures of 280 kW (381 metric hp) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft). There’s 30 kW (41 metric hp) more this time. A 31.2 kWh battery pack is estimated to offer a WLTP pure electric range of up to 107 km (66 mi).

The diesel variant also combines a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged unit with an electric motor and a 9-speed automatic gearbox, offering combined figures of 245 kW (333 metric hp) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft). A 31.2 kWh battery pack is estimated to offer a WLTP pure electric range of up to 109 km (68 mi).

For those who want more, there are, of course, AMG models: AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+, both combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system; the 53 model also gets an electric compressor in addition to an exhaust gas turbocharger.

The 3.0L in-line 6-cylinder engine in the 53 model pumps out 320 kW (435 metric hp) and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) while the mild-hybrid system offers 15 kW (20 metric hp) and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft) of additional temporary boost. The 4.0L V8 biturbo motor in the 63 model pumps out 450 kW (612 metric hp) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) while the mild-hybrid system offers 16 kW (22 metric hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of additional temporary boost. This range-topping model is claimed to sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph).

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