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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Takes a Stroll in Germany

They say that sports cars are dead, that they only sell about half a million units a year in America, including useless stuff like the Buick Cascada. But they forgot to include the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Takes a Stroll in Germany 3 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Takes a Stroll in Germany2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Takes a Stroll in Germany
While the GLE has been dubbed by the "uGLE" by Motor Trend and probably seems like the polar opposite of a Porsche 911, it's still bought by people that want something sportier... just that their point of reference is different.

The lifestyle SUV market probably generates tens or even hundreds of millions in profit every year. That's because customers pay $3,000 or $4,000 for intangible stuff like design or tiny handling changes.

We might have been drinking too much from the SUV fountain, but this new GLE Coupe is starting to look good, at least better than its predecessor. The roof has a cascading slope towards the trunk spoiler and the whole design just works.

Of course, that's to be expected, since the early GLE Coupe was a botched job done using the old ML body. But nothing yet matches the low, wide stance of the first X5 M, the sports activity coupe that started it all.

Compared to the regular GLE, which should come out this year as a 2019 model, the roof of the "Coupe" is much lower while the suspension looks slightly chopped as well. The number plate t the back has also been re-mounted inside the bumper instead of the trunk lid. However, it's still quite upright with a good amount of off-road clearance.

The particular prototype appears to be the AMG Line with a deep, black grille, larger alloys and a diffuser at the back. It's interesting how the roof is a different color to the rest of the body. Also, why hasn't Mercedes gone for 3D taillights yet?

Power-wise, we're dealing with a wide array of inline-6 engines with mild hybrid assist. They will range in power from 286 HP on a GLE 350 d to 435 for the GLE 53 mild AMG model. It's also possible to offer 2-liter units, as Mercedes has a 299 HP gasoline unit and a twin-turbo diesel making 245 HP. The Range Rover Velar also has one of those, right?

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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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.
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