Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe, Not Just a 240 GLE
By Mike Garcia
The German automakers are trying to cut every niche in the luxury market. BMW’s aren’t restricted to odd-number model types. The even numbers are included too. Was it really necessary? Did we need a 435i instead of a 335is coupe?
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Well, Mercedes is coming out with the latest GLE coupe, which is a taller, Subaru-ish, luxury, outback, thing.
I actually appreciate the last GLE model I remember. It was an upgraded trim level for a Volvo 240. Not only was it indestructible, but it had heated seats. Really, we didn’t need anything else in the 80’s.
But, this isn’t just any GLE coupe. It’s attached to an AMG badge as well.
"“The GLE 450 AMG Coupe is our first sports model, and further highly emotional and performance-oriented models will follow in the near future. The new product line from Mercedes-AMG has allowed us to make true sports car technology and the fascination of motorsports more accessible,” says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “Every vehicle from Affalterbach honors the brand promise of Driving Performance.”"
Apparently, we also needed the different driving conditions that this vehicle can handle.
The variable dynamic control system assigns fundamentally different characteristics to the five transmission modes of INDIVIDUAL, COMFORT, SLIPPERY, SPORT and SPORT+, which the driver is able to select using a rotary control on the center console. The system networks all the control systems, generating different sets of parameters.
The names speak for themselves: SPORT and SPORT+ turn the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe into a sporty, dynamic vehicle with pronounced longitudinal and lateral dynamics.
COMFORT is the opposite end of the spectrum. Here the emphasis is on the refined parameters so typical of classic Mercedes-Benz sedans, for relaxed, effortless cruising with the greatest possible energy efficiency.
SLIPPERY optimizes the handling on surfaces with low friction coefficients such as snow or ice.
In addition, INDIVIDUAL mode enables the driver to program and store personal preferences in the individual control strategies, regardless of the engine variant.