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The fourth-generation GLE is the result of generations of leadership, design and
engineering, a powerful promise of trust and capability, with a strength of character
that can only come from Mercedes-Benz
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It's been twelve years since Mercedes-Benz launched the ML series. A mid-size luxury SUV which turned out to be a trendsetter of sorts because it started the whole luxury SUV race.
In 2015, Mercedes-Benz gave it a facelift and named it the GLE. GL from the German word Gelandewagen (off-road vehicle), and E for E-Class. Its big brother they named the GLS, a full-size SUV S-Class and its little brothers the GLC and GLA, C-Class and A-Class respectively.
Now available in the Philippines, this fourth-generation model of the premium SUV comes with a suite of intuitive safety systems for both driver and passengers, the most advanced technology including its voice-activated MBUX infotainment system, and a spacious and comfortable interior that fits 7 passengers.
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| A touch-control pad on the center console controls the MBUX Infotainment system. Just one of 4 ways to control the awesome system, The other three ways are by the infotainment touchscreen, the finger controls on the steering wheel, and by voice command. |
"The GLE exhibits iconic Mercedes-Benz design while remaining true to its character as an off-roader," says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG." With its design idiom, it perfectly embodies our design philosophy of sensual purity, thus representing
modern luxury. The interior derives its fascination from the contrast between the luxurious and elegant design and the digital high-tech of our MBUX system.”
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| The cockpit features a wide digital screen enhanced with a full-colour head-up display for a more convenient experience with the MBUX infotainment system. |
The new GLE has a wealth of innovations. The active suspension system E-Active Body Control is a world first, while the driving assistance systems take another step forward with Active Stop-and-Go Assist. Inside, both driver and passengers will find the new GLE even more spacious and comfortable, while the cockpit features a wide digital screen enhanced with a full-colour head-up display for a more convenient experience with the MBUX infotainment system. The exterior design of the new GLE not only exudes presence and power, but also sets a new standard for aerodynamics in the SUV segment. The new 4MATIC engine ensures great agility on the road and superior performance off the beaten track.
"In 1997, Mercedes-Benz founded the premium SUV segment with the launch of the M-Class. Since then, more than two million customers have decided in favour of the off-roader. With a new control concept, innovative driving assistants, a new engine range and significantly more space, the new GLE is set to continue this success story," says Ola Källenius, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
Auto Nation Group, importer and distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines, is offering the GLE 300d 4MATIC variant at a price point of Php 5.690 Million via all its appointed dealers nationwide.
Best in Class Features of the New Mercedes-Benz GLE
Powerful yet Luxurious Exterior Design
The GLE, the SUV that revolutionized the premium SUV segment, showcases a muscular and athletic profile yet follows a harmonious and intelligent design. It is an instant head-turner with its redesigned body capped by 21-inch light-alloy wheels, underlining its strong SUV character with chrome accents around the windows, reminiscing the premium sedans of the Mercedes-Benz line-up.
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| 21-inch light alloy wheels |
The GLE’s new Multibeam LED with ULTRA RANGE beams ensures driving visibility on every road terrain. The rear lights are also divided into two sections, which not only give an impression of width but also create an unmistakable night design with illuminated blocks typical of Mercedes-Benz SUVs, in this case with backlit edge lighting. The rear is strikingly rounded off with the chrome-plated underguard.
Redefining Interior Design and Space
From the exterior to the interior, the new GLE continues the luxurious, elegant ambience of a Mercedes-Benz luxury saloon
and the robust, progressive features of an SUV. Its redesigned cockpit is highlighted by its sporty, stylish cockpit embedded in a striking dashboard design capped by 64-colored premium ambient lighting to set the driving and riding mood.
The new GLE also has a considerably longer wheelbase than its predecessor, creating significantly more space, especially for passengers in the rear. It offers more space in the rear’s legroom and headroom and comes with third-row seats -- a first in the Mercedes-Benz SUV line-up. Rear seats can be electronically adjusted and folded to accommodate longer items and luggage. For easier storage of luggage, the GLE sports a power liftgate which can be opened with a kicking motion underneath the liftgate.
A Cocoon of Safety
Mercedes-Benz has always been at the forefront of safety
innovations in the automobile industry, including the newest member of its SUV family.
The new GLE is loaded with handful of safety features such as Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist, and equipped with an advance 360-degree camera to provide support to the driver. The new GLE is also powered by the latest-generation of Intelligent Driving Systems, which are a host of risk-mitigating safety features.
The Intelligent MBUX
From its debut in the A-Class, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) now makes it presence felt in the SUV line-up. The new GLE sports the latest generation of the MBUX with two (2) 12.3” touchscreens arranged side-by-side for an impressive wide-screen look – a highlight of the comprehensive touch control concept that combines the functionalities of the touchscreen, a central console touch-pad, and touch-control buttons on the steering wheel for less driver distraction and stress.
At the heart of the MBUX system is a highly intelligent virtual assistant activated by pressing a button in the steering wheel or by simply saying, “Hey Mercedes” from anywhere in the cabin. It caters to voice commands to attend to infotainment functions such as destination input, phone call, music selection, climate control, and ambient lighting. MBUX comes with a natural speech recognition program that helps it to recognize and understand nearly all sentences from the fields of multimedia and vehicle operation. The infotainment system also offers seamless Apple Carplay smartphone integration for a more hands-free driving experience.
Impressive Powertrain
The new GLE is powered by an in-line 4 Turbo Diesel engine
with 9G TRONIC 9-speed Automatic transmission, producing an output and torque of 245 hp and 500Nm, respectively. Like its predecessor, the new GLE offers 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive making driving to the most difficult terrain nothing but a breeze.
A first in Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines, the new GLE is equipped with EQ Boost, a mildhybrid feature wherein energy recovered from braking and systematic engine shut offs
delivers a boost of energy when needed or when eliminating turbo lag.
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| The GLE’s new Multibeam LED with ULTRA RANGE beams ensures driving visibility on every road terrain. |
Redefining Interior Design and Space
From the exterior to the interior, the new GLE continues the luxurious, elegant ambience of a Mercedes-Benz luxury saloon
and the robust, progressive features of an SUV. Its redesigned cockpit is highlighted by its sporty, stylish cockpit embedded in a striking dashboard design capped by 64-colored premium ambient lighting to set the driving and riding mood.
 |
| Striking dashboard design capped by 64-colored premium ambient lighting to set the driving and riding mood. |
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| Quad-Zone Climate Control with an abundance of air vents. |
The new GLE also has a considerably longer wheelbase than its predecessor, creating significantly more space, especially for passengers in the rear. It offers more space in the rear’s legroom and headroom and comes with third-row seats -- a first in the Mercedes-Benz SUV line-up. Rear seats can be electronically adjusted and folded to accommodate longer items and luggage. For easier storage of luggage, the GLE sports a power liftgate which can be opened with a kicking motion underneath the liftgate.
A Cocoon of Safety
Mercedes-Benz has always been at the forefront of safety
innovations in the automobile industry, including the newest member of its SUV family.
The new GLE is loaded with handful of safety features such as Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist, and equipped with an advance 360-degree camera to provide support to the driver. The new GLE is also powered by the latest-generation of Intelligent Driving Systems, which are a host of risk-mitigating safety features.
 |
| Front camera used by the 360-degree view system to assist the driver. |
The Intelligent MBUX
From its debut in the A-Class, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) now makes it presence felt in the SUV line-up. The new GLE sports the latest generation of the MBUX with two (2) 12.3” touchscreens arranged side-by-side for an impressive wide-screen look – a highlight of the comprehensive touch control concept that combines the functionalities of the touchscreen, a central console touch-pad, and touch-control buttons on the steering wheel for less driver distraction and stress.
 |
| Two (2) 12.3” touchscreens arranged side-by-side for an impressive wide-screen look. |
At the heart of the MBUX system is a highly intelligent virtual assistant activated by pressing a button in the steering wheel or by simply saying, “Hey Mercedes” from anywhere in the cabin. It caters to voice commands to attend to infotainment functions such as destination input, phone call, music selection, climate control, and ambient lighting. MBUX comes with a natural speech recognition program that helps it to recognize and understand nearly all sentences from the fields of multimedia and vehicle operation. The infotainment system also offers seamless Apple Carplay smartphone integration for a more hands-free driving experience.
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The new Mercedes-Benz GLE is a 7-seater premium SUV with a suite of intuitive
safety systems, the most advanced technology, and a spacious and comfortable
interior as seen here with the 2nd and 3rd row of seats folded.
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Impressive Powertrain
The new GLE is powered by an in-line 4 Turbo Diesel engine
with 9G TRONIC 9-speed Automatic transmission, producing an output and torque of 245 hp and 500Nm, respectively. Like its predecessor, the new GLE offers 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive making driving to the most difficult terrain nothing but a breeze.
A first in Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines, the new GLE is equipped with EQ Boost, a mildhybrid feature wherein energy recovered from braking and systematic engine shut offs
delivers a boost of energy when needed or when eliminating turbo lag.
 |
The new GLE is powered by an in-line 4 Turbo Diesel engine
with 9G TRONIC 9-speed Automatic transmission, producing an output and torque of 245 hp and 500Nm, respectively.
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Monch "Monchster" Henares is an award-winning automotive journalist, and feature writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer's "Road Talk". He is also a media blogger @ MonchsterChronicles.com, tech and motoring specialist, inventor, and automotive engineer. He managed the motorpool for a limousine company in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. He is now based in Manila, Philippines, and is the President of BuildMeUp Corp.
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