Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 is the Golden Mean of Performance SUVs
A mild hybrid might not sound that exciting, but when it is built by AMG and has nearly 450hp, it commands the necessary attention.
An AMG SUV, with six-cylinders - instead of eight
For some, the latest generation GLE is a gravel travel-capable E-Class. It is comfortable, cossetting to its occupants, and it has that sense of mid-sized SUV we have come to admire from Mercedes-Benz since it introduced the original ML-series. But what if you desire a latest-generation Mercedes-Benz mid-size SUV which is a bit quicker than the rest. Not too extreme, but a vehicle that possesses adequate swiftness to reward a keen driver? That's where the GLE 53 comes in.
Images courtesy of Mercedes-Media GmbH
Roomy enough to have seven along for the ride
Most noticeable from the rear, are those four exhausts. Ordinarily that would indicate the presence of a V8 pulling the GLE53 along, but in this case, it’s a smaller engine – and a very advanced one. With its new 53-series cars, AMG has committed to building mild-hybrid performance vehicles. Enabling this is the 48-volt onboard electrical architecture of this new GLE platform.
>>Join the conversation about the GLE 53 right here in the Mercedes-Benz World Forum!
The in-line six is back!
Mercedes-Benz traditionalists will love the GLE 53’s engine bay. Powering the performance SUV is a 3-liter inline-six, the first such configuration Mercedes-Benz has used in nearly two decades. Inline six-cylinder engines are renowned for their inherent smoothness and this one has a lot of typical clever German engineering attached to it. With the benefit of turbocharging, this engine boasts 429hp, but it also has an integrated starter motor/generator, which can harvest energy.
>>Join the conversation about the GLE 53 right here in the Mercedes-Benz World Forum!
A very stable cornering SUV
Balancing the GLE53’s performance is very impressive body control into and through corners. With air-suspension at all four-wheel corners and sensors to identify dive under braking and lateral roll, the GLE53 is always impeccably stable. These combine to provide incredibly accurate mechanical analysis of the GE53’s driving dynamics – which helps the air-suspension to anticipate and intervene accordingly when you need to help balance things out a bit.
>>Join the conversation about the GLE 53 right here in the Mercedes-Benz World Forum!
It will coach you to be a better driver too
Like most new Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the GLE53’s cabin is comprehensively digitized. Large infotainment screens relay information and the diversity of display changes and functions is astounding. One of the most interesting detail functions available in GLE53’s infotainment system is AMG’s Track Pace application. It harvests data from a range of driving parameters, analyzing 80 data points, to help you become a better, quicker driver at track days.
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Observing the details of a very trick 'six
Why the choice of an in-line six-cylinder configuration? Well, it allowed for better thermal-shielding for the electric drive bits of that mild-hybrid system than a conventional V6 would. This mild-hybridization adds 22 additional horsepower to the total GLE53 output when required. When you need to overtake, the GLE53 will very happy oblige. It’s quick too, running the benchmark 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds.
>>Join the conversation about the GLE 53 right here in the Mercedes-Benz World Forum!
Can be had as a seven-seater, and still looks slick all the same
Beyond the additional electrical power which can be generated, stored and distributed for use with a current GLE, there is the advantage of this SUV speed-wagon being ordered with optional third-row seating. That means you can take up additional passengers along on the ride, with total vehicle occupancy boosted to seven.
>>Join the conversation about the GLE 53 right here in the Mercedes-Benz World Forum!
When less is more - with an AMG
You get those sculptured AMG-specification bumpers and a characteristic Panamericana grille, but instead of a twin-turbocharged V8 hiding under the hood, there’s an in-line six. The GLE53 might be two-cylinders down on AMG’s phenomenal GLE63, but for many – could this possibly be the better all-round performance SUV?
>>Join the conversation about the GLE 53 right here in the Mercedes-Benz World Forum!
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