Q.Mercedes Benz GLE, Typical facelift or more?

Mercedes-Benz has launched a petrol variant of its highest selling SUV, the GLE in India at Rs 74.9 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). Named GLE 400, it has been launched with a powerful 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, that produces 333 bhp and 480 Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to the 7G-TRONIC PLUS transmission.[IMG]https://www.zigwheels.com/forum/filedata/fetch?filedataid=7530&type=medium[/IMG] The GLE SUV now has 4 variants in India: GLE 250d, GLE 350d, GLE 400 and the AMG GLE 450 Coupe. This is the 7th product from stables Mercedes-Benz in India this year. Rivals the BMW X5, Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60 in India.

Is it a typical mid-life face-lift? GLE is the new name for the ML-Class but also with a host of cosmetic and mechanical updates that is more pleasing to the eye and nicer to drive than before. The old ML class was feeling its age with cut-throat competition from the likes of BMW X5, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n1464[/ATTACH] GLE on the outside sports an all-LED headlamp unit with LED DRLs, a chunkier grille and re-profiled bumpers makes the new GLE's design more in line with that of its sedan siblings - the C-Class and S-Class. The profile stays the same so you get the characteristic sedan-like C-pillar and the blackened D-pillar as before. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n1465[/ATTACH] The GLE interiors have borrowed elements from the old ML-Class, the overall layout is more or less the same with a stand-alone display now. Mercedes has updated features like the ambient lighting, rear seat entertainment package as well as the infotainment system. Interior trim varies between leather and Alcantara depending on the variant. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n1466[/ATTACH] While the GLE is globally offered with four engine options, the India-bound GLE will continue to be offered with the 3.0-litre V6 diesel which produces 258 bhp and 619 Nm of torque and the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel that produces 203 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n1467[/ATTACH] The standard version now gets an all new nine-speed AT and 4MATIC AWD system. The standard GLE will be followed by the GLE63 AMG which will make use of the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces 525bhp and 700 Nm, and will come mated to the 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT transmission .[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1468[/ATTACH] The 2.0 litre unit in the GLE 250d, which produces 203PS is most likely to be the popular one in India. The engine may seem underpowered in comparison to its competition. But the new nine-speed gearbox really works wonders when mated to this unit. According to Anand from Zigwheels who drove the car, "there is enough grunt in the V6 to maintain high triple digit speeds for long periods of time, and coupled with the low NVH levels and comfortable ride with the Airmatic suspension set in comfort mode, the GLE makes for one of the best long-distance tourers." [ATTACH=CONFIG]n1469[/ATTACH] The all-wheel drive system splits power between the front and the back wheels. ESP and traction control will keep the vehicle firmly on the ground. GLE can do a fair bit of off-roading as well and will be more than enough to tackle most of buyer needs. The GLE is priced at Rs 59 lakh for the 250D and Rs 69 lakh for the 350D variant (ex-showroom Delhi).