Mercedes-Benz has launched the new 4th generation GLE SUV in India in its Long Wheelbase LWB avatar which has an additional 80mm increased allowing for extra cabin comfort. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE is the 4th generation of the SUV which started its journey way back in 1997 as the M-Class (ML) and is also the brands most successful SUV in India with sales of more than 13,000 units till date. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE is available in 2 variants which includes the GLE 300d priced at INR 73.70 lakh and the GLE 400d Hip Hop Edition priced at INR 1.25 crore (ex-showroom). Point to note, the new GLE300d is already sold out for Q1 of 2020. With the Star Ease plan, the service package for the Long Wheelbase GLE 300d starts at INR 83,200 for 2 years or unlimited kms and for the GLE 400d Hip Hop Edition it starts at INR 89,100 for the same tenure.
With this LWB version, the GLE overall has 105mm extra length, 2nd row legroom enhanced by 69mm, headroom at the back bumped up by 35mm, rear seat front / back range of motion of 100mm and an incline angle for the backrest at 30 degrees. This luxury SUV offers 825L of boot space with all seats up and with the 2nd row folded, it allows for 2055 litres of boot space. This will make the new GLE bigger and more comfortable than ever. The SUV comes with features such as adaptive LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, front and rear skid plates, side step, roof rails, body cladding, healthy dose of chrome accents, dual high definition screens for driver instrumentation & infotainment, gesture controls with the new MBUX, leather seats with heating and ventilation on the front seats, Burmester sound system, large panoramic sunroof, 5-seat layout, 4-zone climate control, fragrance package, 64 colour ambient lights and more…
Powering the GLE 300d is a 1950cc, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel motor producing 245 HP of power and 500 Nm of torque matched to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. This variant can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 7.2 seconds and will deliver a mileage of 6.1L – 6.4L / 100 km. The GLE 400d Hip Hop Edition is powered by a 2925cc, 6-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine producing 330 HP of power and 700 Nm of torque matched to a 9-speed automatic gearbox and sprinting to 100 kmph from a standstill in 5.8 seconds and delivering a mileage of 7.0L – 7.5L / 100 km.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV has a coefficient of drag of just 0.29 cd making it the most aerodynamic SUV in the segment. The GLE 400d variant comes with E-Active Body Control with a 48V suspension which makes it a dancing car which allows for each individual suspension spring and damping to be controlled. This results in better control over body roll, pitch and squat. Making it a true SUV, the GLE obviously comes with 4MATIC AWD system with a 50:50 transfer ratio.