2019 Mercedes GLE-Class Spied Nearly Undisguised, Is Making 4-Cylinder Sounds

So, what specific details are we talking here? Well, there's the well-sculpted hood. And while we're examining the front end, the lack of a Mercedes badge jumps up at us.

The GLE sports a new kind of trademark headlight unit with two LED character lines symbolizing its place around the middle of the SUV range, just like the GLE has only one and the S-Class has three. But Mercedes will probably stop playing this game soon.

Another area being revealed is the rear quarter of the SUV, including the last window of the profile and a ridiculously fine line at the top of the pillar. What is even the point?

The back end is nothing to write home about, but we do feel they are paying homage to the original ML. The exhaust pipes are fake, but a 4-cylinder engine sound seems to be emanating from the 2019 GLE-Class.

Even though we expect the base model to be around 100 kilos lighter than before, this is still a 2-ton SUV and few customers will consider such a small engine.

However, we wouldn't be surprised if one was under development. The current GLE 250 d packs a 2.2-liter diesel engine with 204 HP. If replaced, this model might get a bump to around 220 ponies.

And at the end of the day, we can't forget that the Volvo XC90 is now powered exclusively by 2-liter turbos and doing just fine in the sales department. BMW X5, Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery - they all have a 4-banger variant in one market or another. Why should Mercedes be any different?