This is how the Mercedes GLE 350 de 4Matic Coupé drives

SUV coupés are now part of the familiar street scene. Sure, the weird guys are looked at somewhat contemptuously. BMW X6 and Co. polarize and provoke, especially in Germany and against the background of the climate discussion. In many other countries around the world, no one cares. The BMW X6 is a huge success. And still calls imitators to the scene. Audi and Porsche will not follow until 2019 with the Q8 and the Cayenne Coupé.

Mercedes is already countering in 2015 with the GLE Coupé. And it is launching the second generation of the GLE Coupé on the market unusually early. Barely five years after the market launch, the C167 series is coming. This is due to the future exhaust gas laws, so the newly developed six-cylinder in-line engines will have to be used in the car. It can only be right for the customers. You get the most modern technology available – and a fresher design.

The criticism of the rather massive appearance of the predecessor apparently makes an impression on styling boss Gorden Wagener. The new GLE Coupé, although it has grown by four centimetres to 4.94 metres, looks more harmonious and no longer as bulky at the rear as it used to.

Full suspension range in the GLE Coupé

Compared to the normal GLE, the wheelbase of the coupé shrinks by 60 millimetres. After all, it should be a little sportier around the corner than with the GLE SUV. In everyday life, you don't make out this difference, even if the steering is a bit more direct according to Mercedes. At least this much can be said: The GLE Coupé whizzes through the corners with impressive precision and handling. However, the test car has all the suspension features that are in the price list. The GLE springs with air, individual control of spring and damper forces on each wheel and curve tilting function. More is not possible.

Also as far as the engines are concerned. The six-cylinder diesel engine, which is probably the most popular in Germany and Europe, is so clean that there are fewer particles in the exhaust air than in the intake air. At least that's what Andreas Zygan, chief developer of the large SUV series at Mercedes, says. It meets all the requirements of the Euro 6d emission standard, which will not be binding until next year. In any case, the diesel engine stands for comfort, efficiency and range. So it's ideal for covering long tours stress-free and economically.

The plug-in hybrid makes more of an impression. Especially when it glides silently past you. Mercedes is building a combination of electric motor and diesel in the GLE 350 de Coupé, which will be available from summer 2020. At least in Europe. America and China are getting a gasoline plug-in hybrid. He should also come to us later next year.

With 320 hp system output or purely electric

The Coupé adopts the technology from the normal GLE. The well-known two-liter four-cylinder diesel (internally called OM 654) with 194 hp and an electric motor with 136 hp are used. It sits as a disc between the combustion engine and the 9-speed automatic transmission, the system output is 320 hp, and the maximum combined torque is 700 Newton meters.

The benchmarks suggest a lot of sovereignty. In addition, the developers are installing a battery with a capacity of 31.2 kWh. It thus surpasses the old one – installed in the predecessor GLE – by almost a factor of four. In the best case, the GLE 350 de Coupé can thus drive over 100 kilometres electrically. That's exactly what we do. Even if with a bit of cheating. Because with a full battery, it goes from Hochgurgl to Innsbruck Airport - a distance of 98 kilometers. Since we start at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, the first 30 kilometers or so are downhill. The battery does not have to release any energy – but it cannot gain much from recuperation either. Full is full.

The diesel remains largely still throughout the entire journey. If he does get in touch briefly, he does so very quietly and comfortably. However, it does not come close to the smoothness of its big six-cylinder brother. Once at the destination, 26 kilometers of remaining range remain in the battery.

For commuters with a socket connection

With its long electric range – chief developer Zygan says that it always manages over 80 kilometres in everyday life – the plug-in hybrid is suitable for customers with up to 40 kilometres to work. If they charge regularly, the diesel does not start all week. Only on longer tours does he make a sound.

At a fast-charging station, the battery of the GLE 350 de Coupé can be charged to 80 percent in 20 minutes with direct current. The domestic wallbox achieves an output of 11 kW with alternating current. This completely fills the battery in less than four hours.

However, the joy of electric driving requires strict charging discipline. If you don't have the right conditions at home (parking space in front of the door, garage, carport) and can't install a wallbox, you shouldn't consider a plug-in hybrid. Because the whole thing is only worthwhile with constant charging and the fuel consumption reaches that of small cars. Otherwise, you have to carry around 300 kilograms of additional weight and the four-cylinder diesel has to struggle to stay under eight liters.

Even as a coupé, the GLE remains practical

Of course, it is suitable as a touring car. 655 liters of luggage fit in the trunk. The rear seats can be folded down individually in a 40:20:40 ratio, thus enabling a loading length of up to two metres and a load volume of almost 1,700 litres. In addition, the loading sill sits six centimeters lower than its predecessor. With air suspension, the edge can be lowered by a further five centimetres.

In the cockpit, the coupé is all GLE. The widescreen display is set up in front of the driver, and the materials look high-quality. Looks harmonious and you immediately feel comfortable. The fact that the seats develop a life of their own, which contributes to the driver's well-being through slight changes in position, helps. It is said to be good for intervertebral discs and back and relieve the muscles.

The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system offers a lot of connectivity, pretty graphics, high resolution and calculates at lightning speed. The operation is largely intuitive. Mercedes sets the tone for the assistance systems anyway. At least in comparison with Audi and BMW. The GLE Coupé performs almost all driving functions on multi-lane roads. So you don't have to stare at the person in front all the time, but can also let your gaze wander somewhere else. The law only requires you to keep your hands on the steering wheel. In traffic jams, the GLE starts up again on its own even after a minute of standstill.

Mercedes GLE Coupé PHEV: Similar price to the big diesel

Assistants to help with parking are essential. Diagonally to the rear, it is difficult to see, parking sensors and the reversing camera avoid scratches and dents. This comes as no surprise to the coupé customer. For him, it's the design that counts. And you are happy to accept a few shortcomings.

If you can and want to afford the luxury, the GLE 350 de Coupé is not only a high-class, comfortable and safe vehicle, but also a very efficient one. An electric range of 80 to 100 kilometres is a real asset in everyday life. Mercedes has not yet revealed a price for its lifestyle part-time electric car. One should orient oneself to a GLE 400 d Coupé that is roughly equivalent in terms of performance, according to preliminary reports from Stuttgart. The large diesel is on the list at 81,634 euros.

Technical data Mercedes GLE 350 de 4Matic Coupé