The Mercedes GLE Coupe Is Like An X6 But Ever So Slightly Less Vulgar

You have to admit, it’s a rather curious idea: to take one of the biggest and most practical SUVs in your range, stiffen it up a bit and make it, well, less practical. However, in the case of the BMW X6, it’s proven weirdly successful, so if anything, Merc is playing catchup with it’s own version: the new GLE coupe.

It’s a very similar recipe to the X6: using what used to be called the ML (now known as the standard GLE courtesy of Merc’s naming restructure) as a base, the German manufacturer has completely reworked the suspension to make it a much sportier affair, and given the body a coupe-like makeover.

The whole ‘coupe’ thing means a heavily sloped roofline, which won’t go down well if you plan to transport any taller people in the back. There’s also a new rump that looks to have been pinched from the S-Class coupe.

From launch, you’ll have a choice of three engines, one diesel and two petrols. All feature a nine-speed automatic gearbox and ‘4Matic’ four-wheel drive. The sole oil-burner, the GLE350d, sports a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 putting out a decent 254bhp and 457lb ft.

The GLE400 has a twin-turbo V6 with 328bhp and 354lb ft, and topping the range will be the first car we’re yet to see from the new ‘AMG Sport’ sub-brand, the GLE450. It uses the same engine as the 400, but with a fruitier 362bhp and 383lb ft on offer. Expect to see this engine in an AMG Sport version of the C-Class soon.

If you’d rather a full-fat AMG model, don’t panic. A GLE 63 coupe will eventually join the range, with a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 kicking out over 500bhp.

The inside is dominated by an imposing centre console, which has one of the better placements we’ve so far seen of Merc’s slightly naff tablet-look infotainment system. Oh, and there’s a flat-bottomed steering wheel in the AMG Sport version. Because sporty SUV/race car.

Prices will be announced closer to the car’s summer 2015 launch. A hefty premium over the standard GLE is expected.