BackFirst Look: Mercedes GLE 450 AMG Coupe
Mercedes' stylish crossover coupe now comes with the AMG badge and takes on the established Porsche Cayenne Turbo
PremiumNEW DELHI :
Imitation is the best form of flattery, they say, more so if your arch-rival is joining the segment you created eight years ago. Meet the GLE Coupe, Mercedes’ take on the BMW X6, the car that pioneered the crossover coupe niche.
The transformation of the M-Class into the GLE has spawned a four-door coupe body style too. The GLE Coupe is largely the same size as the standard GLE, but it’s a head-turner visually. It’s another fine product born out of the new thinking in Mercedes’ school of design that has transformed the company’s image.
The interiors of the car are very familiar, for there’s a lot that has been borrowed from the GLE. The dashboard is identical. But given its sporty nature, the seats are more contoured to hold you snug and there’s a greater sense of luxury thanks to the perforated Nappa leather. The rear isn’t very spacious—but it’s not too cramped either. There’s a surprisingly generous amount of knee room and headroom. Mercedes designers have done a great job of balancing the swooping coupe roofline with cabin room. Unlike the regular version, the GLE Coupe is strictly a four-seater. You can squeeze a passenger in the middle but the seat contours make this quite uncomfortable.
Who would have thought that a big, powerful, fuel-guzzling petrol version would be politically more correct than a torquey and frugal diesel one? But with anti-diesel sentiment at an all-time high and the current ban on big diesel vehicles in Delhi, that’s just how it is. Mercedes has cleverly launched the GLE Coupe with a petrol-only option (for now), and it’s the 450 AMG engine. Not the very powerful 63 AMG, 550 bhp, 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, but the milder 3-litre turbo-petrol that delivers a more sedate 362 bhp. The first impression when you lean on the throttle is that it’s not madly quick, but then this heavy crossover weighing 2.2 tonnes isn’t going to take off like a sports car. That said, the V6 will wind quite freely to its 62,000 rpm redline, propelling it to 100 kmph in just 5.7 seconds.
The nine-speed automatic gearbox responds quite well and allows for relaxed cruising at highway speeds, but all it takes is a small flex of the right foot for the 9-G Tronic transmission to rapidly shift two, even three, gears down for quick overtaking. It’s only at city speeds, when you’re on and off the throttle, that the gearbox gets caught out and feels a bit hesitant.
The V6’s soundtrack is a bit disappointing—it isn’t AMG enough. There’s a bit of a rumble but you miss the throaty growl of the full-fat V8. The truth is that the GLE in its 450 AMG version has all the power you need but it doesn’t feel exciting enough even in the most aggressive Sport+ mode—it’s a bit too soft for true enthusiasts.
It was immediately obvious that the ride and handling balance too is tilted towards comfort. Even on 21-inch wheels shod with low-profile rubber, the GLE Coupe soaked up potholes and bumps with remarkable ease. There’s plenty of ground clearance, which can be increased further with the suspension lift mode. Clearly, this is a car that’s well suited to Indian conditions.
The trade-off, however, is a bit of body movement; it tends to rock from side to side and doesn’t feel as settled, especially at high speeds. The right quality could be important because it’s up against some rivals that are dynamically far more accomplished—the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, for example.
The GLE 450 AMG Coupe isn’t as thrilling or sharp to drive as we would have liked, but the reason to buy this crossover is different. The appeal lies mainly in its crossover-coupe styling and its road presence. And for that the GLE 450 AMG, which goes on sale later this month at an estimated sub- ₹ 1 crore, will do just fine. This is yet another weapon in the powerful arsenal Mercedes has built in India.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
