Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Facelift With Subtle Design Updates Launched At Rs 1.85 Crore

• Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 facelift launched in India at Rs 1.85 crore. 
• Gets tweaked bumpers, headlights and tail lamps. 
• Gets an updated MBUX infotainment screen and a new AMG-spec steering wheel. 
• Continues to be powered by a 435 PS 3-litre inline-six turbo-petrol engine. 
• Does 0-100 kmph in 5 seconds and hits a top speed of 250 kmph.

After launching the standard GLE facelift last year, Mercedes-Benz India has brought the updated AMG GLE 53 facelift to our shores at Rs 1.85 crore (ex-showroom). Like before, the sportier GLE will be available in its SUV-coupe body style, with very subtle design and feature updates. 

Exterior Design  

One would need a magnifying glass to discern the design updates made to the GLE AMG. For starters, the Panamericana grille with vertical chrome slats has been retained. However, the headlights have been tweaked, while the bumper has been slightly redesigned, giving the front an even meaner demeanour. 

No major changes have been made to the profile, while the rear gets a slightly tweaked signature for the tail lamps, and a revised bumper with quad exhaust outlets. 

Interior Design 

The story continues on the inside, where the main visible design is the new AMG steering wheel with shortcut controls for important drive functions. It continues to offer the same dual integrated screens for the infotainment and driver’s instrumentation, which gets AMG-spec graphics and runs on the latest version of the MBUX software. 

As this layout is of Merc’s older cars, you, thankfully, get physical controls to operate the climate control and other important functions. And lastly, splashes of ambient lighting across the cabin do give the cabin a wow appeal, especially at night. 

Features On Board 

Feature highlights on board the GLE 53 facelift include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multiple zones of climate control, a Burmester sound system, powered front seats with heating and ventilation, a panoramic sunroof, and a wireless phone charger. 

Passenger safety is taken care of by multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, electronic stability control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Engine

Propelling the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 is the 3-litre in-line six turbo-petrol engine belting out 435 PS and 560 Nm. Addition of mild-hybrid tech further gives you a boost of 22 PS and 200 Nm for a couple of seconds when you’re pushing the car hard. All this power goes to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. 

Now, the numbers. Nought to 100 kmph comes up in 5 seconds flat. Keep your foot pinned and you hit an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph. 

Obviously, this being an AMG, there are a handful of mechanical tweaks such as a stiffer suspension setup, bigger brakes, a throatier exhaust note and a quicker steering rack for a more involving drive experience. 

Rivals 

In India, the Mercedes-AMG GLE locks horns with the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5 M and the sportier variants of the Range Rover Sport.