Next-Gen Mercedes GLE-Class SUV Spied on German Highway

"Oh, but the GLE is brand new, why are they changing it already?" people say. Except it's not. Mercedes made the old ML into the GLE Coupe first and then took the new lights, bumpers and engines to the regular SUV.

So it's pretty old. By our standards, it's the oldest SUV in its segment, especially after you take a long look at how the interior fit. The current GLE is miles behind the Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7.

We don't know very much about the next GLE, but there are plenty of rumors in Germany. The current SUV is codenamed W166 and its replacement will be the W167. An all-new platform will be developed, maybe sharing some of the components with the 2017 E-Class.

Perhaps the most interesting rumor is that the basic GLE will weigh less than 2 tons, thus helping lower fuel consumption by as much as 20%.

On the off-roadie side of thins, the GLE will have more wheel articulation air suspension, optinal locks and other features meant to improve its rough terrain abilities.

According to the latest rumors, the engine range will include two version of the 2-liter turbo with 231 and 272 PS. On top of that, there will be a 2.9-liter inline-six diesel with 408 and two 3-liter petrols with up to 435 hp. Finally, the GLE 63 AMG will pack 605 hp from a re-tuned version of the C63 engine.

Of course, Mercedes is also going to offer greener versions, one hybrid and one plug-in hybrid. Did we deduce all that from this short video? Nope, just that it's going to have completely different proportions.