The E-Class sedan is really cool, but it's a luxury sedan, and that formula is outdated. Most people want all the features from that car in an SUV, and the all-new GLE could be ready for the 2019 model year.
These are the latest spyshots of the second-gen GLE, which we believe will debut in the coming months and be shown in Paris. The SUV has been testing for about two years, but this is the closest we've ever gotten to seeing its finished look.
Gone are the provisional taillights and heavy wrap that accompanied it during the winter testing phase. The black camo is so unobtrusive that we can even make out the AMG Line body kit.
It's meant to give you the illusion of a real AMG using a large grille with sporty mesh, big wheels, a body kit and faux exhaust. There's also another prototype with a regular trim line that has double bars in the grille.
Something else that sets these two apart is the design of the exhaust. One has a big box in the middle that sends the sound and gasses to both sides. However, the other prototype features a smaller muffler on the left and fake trim to the right.
We figure both of these are diesels, namely the GLE 350 d with 286 HP and 340 HP GLE 400 d. These would be the core engined to compete with Audi and BMW. However, a new GLE 250 d with the new 2-liter is also possible, since the last one was popular in Europe.
All mills will be connected to the 9-speed G-Tronic automatic and a 4Matic AWD system. Several suspension options should be available, including standard shocks, adaptive, air suspension and sports air suspension.
You can tell from a mile away that the GLE's front badge hides some hardcore safety tech. This should also be the first SUV with the MBUX infotainment.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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