Mercedes-Benz GLE, W 166,  face lift 2015

Mercedes has officially revealed the 2015 GLE SUV before its debut at the New York Motor Show. The GLE is essentially the ML Class facelift with Mercedes’ new nomenclature.

The GLE gets a new front end with restyled headlamps and a new twin slat grille. The rear gets new LED tail lamps and a new exhaust pipe design. The front and rear bumpers also get a cosmetic upgrade. There are also new alloys wheels added.

Mercedes-Benz GLE, W 166,  face lift 2015

Mercedes-Benz GLE, W 166,  face lift 2015

The interior gets a new multifunction steering wheel and a new infotainment system with a larger free standing screen on top of the dashboard. The COMMAND system can now be operated via a touch pad controller on the centre console. There are new choices of colours for the interior as well. You now can choose from ginger beige, espresso brown, saddle brown or porcelain, in a combination with black interior elements.  The large trim elements are also available in a version featuring a particularly classy black piano lacquer or various types of wood: open-pore brown ash wood or the shiny wood types brown eucalyptus, black poplar or brown burred walnut.

Mercedes-Benz GLE, W 166,  face lift 2015

Mercedes-Benz GLE, W 166,  face lift 2015

Mercedes will be offering an assortment of engines on the GLE including a plug in hybrid model. The relevant ones to India would however be the 2.1 litre 4 cylinder diesel and the 3.0 V6 turbo diesel. In tune with the new nomenclature, these models will be called the GLE 250d and the GLE 350d.

Mercedes will also debut the AMG models with two variants on offer: the GLE 63 and the GLE 63 S.  They will both be powered by a 5.5 litre V8 petrol engine. The GLE 63 will put out 550 bhp and 700 Nm torque. It can go from 0 to 100 kph in 4.3 seconds and goes to a top speed of 250 kph. On the other hand, the GLE 63 S model makes 577 bhp and 760 Nm torque. It goes from to to 100 kph in 4.2 seconds.