BMW->ke178 invented the coupe->ke141 crossover->ke288 segment back in 2009, and it has since been the supreme leader of that niche with the X6->ke2396. As more and more automakers are considering building coupe-like crossovers, it's become clear that the X6 will no longer be all alone in this niche in a couple of years, but up until now Mercedes-Benz->ke187 is the only manufacturer that has actually released a competitor. Stuttgart confirmed there was a coupe crossover based on the M-Class->ke2901 underway at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show->ke2062, when it unveiled the Concept Coupe SUV. Eight months have passed since then, and Mercedes went on to launch the production version of the said concept under the GLE Coupe moniker. Essentially a crossover correspondent for the E-Class Coupe, the GLE Coupe takes its name from the company's new naming system, which renames its entire SUV lineup but the boxy G-Class->ke1712.

The GLE Coupe also marked the debut of the AMG Sport line, which bridges the gap between the range-topping model of the regular lineup and the massively powerful AMG.->ke8 For the GLE, the trim is known as the GLE 450 AMG and it sports standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Unlike full-fledged AMG models, this sportier version is motivated by a twin-turbo V-6. The GLE 450 AMG is also the first iteration of the GLE to hit U.S. shores, likely followed by the more powerful AMG version. Read on to find out more about Mercedes' coupe->ke141 competitor for the BMW X6.

Updated 12/10/2014: Mercedes unveiled the official details on the new GLE Coupe model, with just a few weeks before the car's official debut in Detroit. Details after the jump.

Click past the jump to read more on the upcoming Mercedes Coupe Crossover

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 362
  • Torque: 384
  • Transmission: 9G-TRONIC
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Update History

Updated 10/21/2011: During a recent interview with Automotive News, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has confirmed that Daimler AG will invest $350 million to produce a fifth Mercedes-Benz model at its factory in Vance, Ala., starting in 2015. This fifth model will be a coupe-like version of the M-class SUV that will most likely be called the MLC.

Updated 10/7/2013: In an interview with Car and Driver, a Mercedes executive reconfirmed that the German luxury car builder is still working on a competitor to the poor-selling BMW X6, but the MLC name remains unconfirmed. Mercedes is shooting for a 2014 delivery -- possibly making it a 2015 model year in the U.S. -- and is targeting the $60,000 price range. So far, all of the rumors are pointing toward this upcoming coupe crossover looking like an M-Class with a liftback-style hatch. We're hard at work on a rendering, and we'll bring it to you ASAP.

Updated 5//2014: We've created a new rendering of the GLE Coupe based on the SUV->ke145 Coupe Concept and spy shots that we've seen. See the comparison shots after the jump.

Spy Shots

April 23, 2014 - First testing session

Exterior

Take a quick peek at the GLE Coupe and you'll immediately notice that this crossover was designed as a pure competitor for the X6. The GLE Coupe successfully blends the sexy design cues seen on all modern-day Mercedes-Benz coupes with the already traditional elements of a crossover. While the upper part of the body is sleek and aerodynamic, the lower section is dominated by muscular fenders, large wheel arches and a commanding front end highlighted by a massive grille and large air intakes. The GLE Coupe is a lot fancier around back, where Mercedes added a pair of taillights that resemble the S-Class Coupe's. The units are connected by a thin chrome strip that adds a bit of elegance to a body style that's not particularly graceful. The exhaust outlets integrated into the rear apron give away the GLE Coupe's sporty intentions.

The GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe model that’s headed to the U.S. boasts an even sportier exterior, enhanced by more aggressive bumpers, revised side skirts, a body-colored rear spoiler lip, standard 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, and optional 22-inch rollers.

Eleven exterior choices are available for the GLE Coupe. The palette includes seven metallic colors and two are bespoke paint finishes with special-effect pigments in Designo Diamond White or Designo Hyacinth Red Metallic.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

192.9 Inches

Width

78.9 Inches

Height

68.1 Inches

Wheelbase

114.8 Inches

Track width front/rear

65.3 / 67.9 Inches


TopSpeed Rendering

Our artist actually got pretty close to the real deal when you compare his rendering to the base GLE Coupe -- not the 450 AMG 4MATIC model -- all he missed were small details on the bottom of the front apron, the chrome strikethroughs on the outer air intakes, and some minor details in the headlights, Overall, I would say this rendering was a success.

Interior

As with most redesigned Mercedes-Benz models, the GLE Coupe's interior is both sporty and luxurious. The finest soft-touch materials are spread throughout the cabin, with leather and Alcantara covering most surfaces. Each trim level is equipped with sports seats and a compact, sports steering wheel, as well as center stack elements borrowed from the new-generation C-Class and S-Class models. The infotainment display is partially integrated into the dashboard, while the COMAND controller sits right below.

Several interior color schemes are available for the crossover, ranging from single-tone hues to two-tone combos in which black is combined with Ginger Beige, Crystal Grey, Saddle Brown and Porcelain. The exclusive Designo Nappa leather option brings diamond-pattern stitching to the seats, dashboard and door panels. Trim choices include aluminum, open-pore ash wood, brown eucalyptus wood, dark-graphite poplar or black AMG carbon-fiber/piano lacquer.

The GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe model gets even more features, including AMG sports seats, a three-spoke, AMG steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather, and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel.

Drivetrain

The brand-new GLE Coupe will hit U.S. shores in its sportiest iteration, namely the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC. Currently the range-topping version of the GLE Coupe, the 450 AMG is motivated by a bi-turbo, 3.0-liter, V-6 engine making 362 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to all four wheels through the company's new 9G-TRONIC, nine-speed automatic, and although performance specs have yet to be released, we expect this crossover to hit 60 mph from a standing start in under six seconds. Of course, top speed will be limited to a very German 155 mph.

In other markets, Mercedes will offer two more engines. A diesel powerplant will crank out 258 ponies and 457 pound-feet in the base GLE 350d 4MATIC model, while the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 mounted in the AMG sport version will pump 333 horses and 354 pound-feet in the GLE 400 4MATIC.

Drivetrain Specifications

Model

GLE 350d 4MATIC

GLE 400 4MATIC

Engine

diesel

twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine

Output

258 HP

333 HP

Torque

457 LB-FT @ 1,600 RPM

354 LB-FT @ 1,400 RPM


GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC

Engine

V-6 gasoline engine, direct injection, biturbo

Engine

2996

Output

362 HP

Torque

384 LB-FT

Displacement (cc)

9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission

Output

4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system

Torque FA/RA

40:60


Prices

The GLE Coupe is available only in AMG trim in the U.S. for the 2018 model year. The AMG GLE43 model starts from $70,500, while AMG GLE63 S retails from $111,860.

Competition

BMW X6

The X6 was the first coupe-like SUV to hit the market and it's the reason why Mercedes-Benz created the GLE Coupe. The German SUV got a makeover for the 2015 model, just as the GLE Coupe made its debut, which makes it the slightly more modern option. Notable changes for the new generation included a narrower front fascia, a more aggressive front bumper, and revised taillights and exhaust pipes around back. The vehicle is also 20 pounds lighter than its predecessor, a significant improvement given its slightly longer and wider body. Engine-wise, the second-gen X6 gets its juice from a variety of engines, including BMW’s familiar 3.0-liter inline-six and 4.4-liter V-8 units. While the former generates 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the latter cranks out a whopping 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of twist. There’s also a diesel 3.0-liter V-6 that delivers from 255 in the base model to 376 horses and 546 pound-feet in the M50d. On the high-performance front, the X6 competes with an M version that comes with 567 and 553 pound-feet on tap. This version needs only 4.2 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. U.S. pricing begins from $62,950.

Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Read our full review of the BMW X6.

Although not yet officially confirmed, the Cayenne Coupe has been in the rumor mill for quite a few years now and word has it that it might arrive by the end of 2019. Expect the crossover to borrow most of its exterior from the regular Cayenne, but it will feature a sloping roof and slightly revised rear end that should share cues with the Panamera. A retuned suspension and steering will make it sportier than the regular model. Of course, the coupe will borrow all the powertrains available to the regular Cayenne, including the turbo V-8, as well as the gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powerplants. Likewise, the Cayenne Coupe should cross the pond to the United States in all the trims currently offered for the regular Cayenne, including the GTS. Pricing should start from a little over $70,000.

Read our full story on the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

Conclusion

Mercedes' competitor for the BMW X6 is finally here and we're sure glad it's less appalling when compared to its Munich-designed rival. Sure, the GLE Coupe won't win any beauty contests either, but at least Mercedes designed a vehicle that doesn't look as if the Hunchback of Notre-Dame would drive it. All told, the GLE Coupe just received two benchmarks to its name. It's the first Mercedes to receive an AMG Sport model and the first true-blue competitor to the X6. We only wish the Germans would bring more than one engine to the U.S.