We caught the new 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE for the first time ever without camo. It appeared at the streets of Paris, only hours before the start of the Paris Motor Show. Of course, we took some photos. I can tell you now that this is what Mercedes-Benz probably prepared for the unveiling at the Paris Motor Show that starts tomorrow.

Out photographer in Paris noticed that this very 2019 GLE is actually the GLE 400E. That’s new. Up until this point Mercedes-Benz granted us with the studio photos of the GLE 450 4MATIC with EQ Boost.

What Did We Find Out After Seeing It In The Wild?

It is a sort of an AMG-line car. Not a proper AMG, mind you. Even so, the diamond grille is quite visible and dominates the front, nicely complementing chrome details on the bumper and at the sides.

At the back, a disappointment. Fake exhausts. It seems that the car industry as a whole is leaning towards fake exhausts. They sell and look well; I have to admit. Now, I know you are asking what’s the deal with that rear red thing on the fender? I remember seeing similar protection material on a number of cars prepared to appear under the spotlight of the car show. I guess that the red thing on the rear fender is actually a thin protection film used to make sure that the GLE won’t be harmed in any way during transport. If you ever get a chance to visit a car show (and you should fight for it), you will see that high-end producers actually hire cleaners to clean their cars at all times right there on the stands. No one wants to see fat finger marks on metal surfaces and windows, let alone a scratch on the fender or somewhere else.

What is the GLE 400E?

Although we have to wait for the official specs and the confirmation of the Mercedes-Benz GLE 400E version, I can assume that this version may represent the less powerful model propelled by a 3.0-liter engine. The last car sold in the U.S. with the GLE 400 designation actually had a 329 horsepower, V-6 engine. The new one could sport some kind of mild-hybrid setup (hence the E from the EQ). If this is the case, then the engine inside may be the less powerful version of the one in the 450 4Matic EQ Boost. However, historically, the E in the Mercedes-Benz engine designation actually stands for the Einspritzen (meaning injection). This may be even more plausible as the GLE 400E may be similar to the GLE 450 4Matic, only without the EQ system.

I have my doubts, though, as Mercedes did a lot of name restructuring over the past half of a decade, so I cannot wait to see the car and hear all the details that are about to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show.

Conclusion

This is the first time anyone has seen the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE on public roads. The car is obviously prepared for the introduction at the Paris Motor Show, and I will follow it up with all specs and details we can lay our hands on. What we do know now is that Mercedes-Benz will be bringing a number of different versions of the mid-size SUV in the coming months and the GLE 400E is only the tip of the iceberg. The new 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE will be available with a host of engines including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a diesel (maybe not in the U.S.), a hybrid version, and at least three different AMG branded versions.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE.