I admit I have never been a fan of middle-ground concepts. These tread a fine line between practicality and compromise, often leaning heavily into the latter. This philosophy extends to automobiles as well. Like the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe. It sits between the regular GLE SUV and the full-fat GLE 63 S AMG. The GLE 53 Coupe gets a mid-life refresh and besides cosmetic updates, benefits from a mild-hybrid system that makes it quicker than before. Can this make a believer out of me? There’s only one way to find out.
The front end gets subtle but relevant cosmetic updates in the form of new signet DRL headlamps, an updated AMG bumper design and a new AMG emblem on the hood. The SUV boasts impressive road presence owing to its size and the large Panamericana grille. The side profile remains unchanged save for the optional 22-inch alloy wheels. Our test car came fitted with 21-inch AMG alloys that look cool and are more suited for our road conditions. The rear section remains unchanged save for new Signet tail lamps that lend a cleaner look. Our test car came fitted with the AMG night pack that adds blacked-out trim, mirrors and exhaust tips. Overall, the GLE 53 Coupe does stand out with its styling and presence – both highly-rated attributes to the Indian buyer.
The biggest update in the cabin is the new AMG steering wheel that’s in line with the current AMG line-up. The steering wheel is a joy to behold and once you get past the plethora of buttons and focus on the important ones, it is easy to navigate. I especially love the drive mode dial that lets you seamlessly switch between Comfort, Sport and Sport+. The AC gets an Air Balance package and the cupholders in the centre console get a heating and cooling function – a cool touch! The two-tone cabin impresses with its luxurious feel, especially the snug seats that get a heated and cooled function. As expected from an ‘E’ the cabin is spacious and despite the sloping roof line, there is ample headroom for the rear row, even for six-footers.
The GLE 53 is packed with tech as well. Like before, the 12.3-inch instrument console and infotainment centre run Mercedes’ MBUX software and get a premium 13-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound. Other features include ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, five USB-C type charging ports and new 100-watt charging ports. Safety features include a 360-degree camera with Parking Assistance, Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist and much more.
The GLE packs a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder twin-turbo-petrol powerplant. It features a mild-hybrid system which packs a 48-volt integrated starter generator that fills in torque gaps and more importantly, offers an additional boost of 22PS and 200Nm. Peak outputs stand at 435PS and 560Nm delivered to all four wheels via the 4MATIC+ AWD system.
The engine impresses even before you shift it into gear. It is extremely refined and you’ll have a hard time telling if the motor is running thanks to the seamless auto-start stop and fantastic cabin insulation. Before we get to the best part, I’d like to point out one shortcoming (or an attribute if you perceive it the other way) – the lack of noise. AMGs have always been synonymous with gloriously loud automotive symphonies. The GLE 53 gets variable exhaust but even in its loudest setting in Sport+ mode, it leaves you feeling underwhelmed. Trust me, we drove it inside a tunnel with the windows down and still came away disappointed. In fact, you hear it better through the piped sound, in the cabin, than outside. If you look at it the other way, this trait does make it a fantastic sleeper.
The updates to the motor make it 0.3 seconds quicker than before so now this full-size SUV can hit the tonne in just five seconds. More than the numbers, the motor impresses with its lack of turbo lag and the precisely metered and instant throttle responses. The motor pulls relentlessly towards the redline in true AMG fashion and belying the near 2.3-tonne kerb weight. The mild hybrid assist does wonders for fuel efficiency as well. Between a mix of city and highway runs, using all driving modes and a heavy-footed driving style, I saw an average fuel economy of 7kmpl on the onboard computer. Is it the best compromise between the regular GLE and GLE 63 S’s powertrain? It is a lot more than that.
The GLE 53 Coupe continues to feature AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension – a blend of AMG’s AIRMATIC air suspension and adaptive damping. While the suspension does not make the GLE a thoroughbred sports car, it impresses with the way it manages to make the GLE feel lighter than it is, in corners. This lightweight feeling is accentuated by the steering feedback that is well-weighed and deliciously direct. Overall the GLE manages to shrink itself around you, a hallmark of a good driver’s SUV.
The air suspension does offer fantastic ride quality in Comfort mode, ironing out rough edges and offers excellent stability at speed even on bad roads, making it a fantastic tourer. In fact, the performance and comfort come together to make the GLE 53 Coupe an ideal SUV for intercity trips.
Mercedes-Benz is yet to reveal prices for the SUV but going by its previous pricing references, we can expect an ex-showroom figure close to the Rs two crore mark. So is it a compromise between the road-going and full-blown AMG GLE? I reckon it rather sits in a sweet spot, catering to those who want AMG levels of performance from their SUV, without the hard-edged demeanour of one. A silent express that will get the job done albeit in a discreet manner.
