Mercedes GLE New Model

the latest generation of the Mercedes GLE luxury SUV is undoubtedly powerful: it has a high and vertical front, with a large and elaborate mask surrounded by thin full LED headlights. But it is also a car of a certain elegance, thanks to the smooth and no-frills lines, and it does not give up a style detail that recalls the ML of the 90s, of which the GLE is heir to the distant: the third side window combined visually to the rear window. The new SUV is already offered in three diesel versions: the 300 d of the test, with 245 hp, and then the 350 d and the 400 d, which are 3.0 six-cylinder with 272 and 330 horsepower respectively. The “light” gasoline hybrids (called EQ-Boost) are already available for order: they use an electric motor of 22 horsepower, which further increases the performance of the six-cylinder 367 horsepower of the 450 or the 435 hp one of the sporty AMG 53. By the end of the year it will also be possible to buy the 350 de, plug-in diesel hybrid, with a 2.0 194 HP engine combined with a 136 electric motor: by fully recharging the 31.2 kWh battery, it promises to travel up to 100 km using only electricity, and the declared CO2 emissions are only 29 g / km.
493 centimeters long, equipped with a wheelbase (the distance between the centers of the wheels measured along the sides) of three meters, 196 cm wide and 180 high, the Mercedes GLE has dimensions much greater than before (11.5 cm only in length ) which positively reflect on the space in the passenger compartment: five people, even of robust build, travel with great comfort. In addition, two retractable seats can be added for 2,184 euros in the trunk (this option also allows you to have the rear seats electrically adjustable). The trunk is roomy: in the five-seater versions the liters are 635, and you can reach 2055 with the backrest down, and loading up to the ceiling. In addition, the tailgate is wide and moved by an electric motor, there is the useful backrest in three reclining parts, the finishes are accurate and you can have interesting accessories, such as the underlay protected by a lock (85 euros) and the dividing net between interior and trunk (134 euros). The fact remains that the load threshold is 77 cm from the ground, that there are no levers to recline the sofa at a distance and that the subfloor is large and covered, but very irregular in shape; the two compartments can be joined by removing the floor (which must be left in the garage).
The interior of the Mercedes GLE is well made; in the massive dashboard the four central vents of the “climate” stand out, and the whole is enriched by aluminum inserts (standard), various types of wood (from 317 euros) or carbon fiber (2,135 euros); the seats are leather (the standard one is apparently indestructible, although not really pleasant to the touch). But the strong point is the two screens side by side (12.3 inches each): in front of the driver there is the dashboard, freely configurable in the graphics and information provided, while the central display is intended for the refined MBUX multimedia system, which may include virtual reality for 305 euros (the front camera transmits the images of the street in front, to which the names of the streets and the house numbers are superimposed). Too bad only for a few commands in the non-ideal position: the “four arrows” button is not very visible, and the electronic handbrake is in a platform on the driver’s left, unreachable by the passenger in an emergency.