For Mercedes-Benz, ‘coupe’ is a state of mind.
Look no further than the oddly named GLE Coupe for proof, which happens to be a large SUV with four doors. The vehicle’s look has been met with … mixed opinions thus far, much like the BMW X6 with which it was designed to wrestle.
Also like the X6, which will birth a high performance X6 M version this spring, the GLE Coupe will spawn a faster, tighter, and more extreme AMG version later this year. And as if that wasn’t enough, Mercedes has just announced a new ‘Night Package’ for the GLE, which includes many styling elements from the aforementioned AMG.
According to Mercedes-Benz Passion Blog, the Night Package will be available on all GLE Coupe models and includes a gloss black grill fin, 21-inch twin-spoke alloys, chrome tailpipes, tinted glass, and black accents on the mirrors and board trim strips. Pricing was not been specified at this time.
It’s definitely a sportier look overall, which is a welcome distraction from the vehicle’s odd proportions, if only just a little.
The GLE450 AMG, the first entrant into the brand’s sub-AMG ‘AMG Sport’ lineup, will be powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 that produces 362 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes’ ‘4MATIC’ all-wheel drive system and nine-speed automatic transmission are the main highlights.
Moving up the ladder, you’ll find the full-bore AMG version, the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe. Under its vented hood sits a 5.5-liter biturbo V8 capable of making 577 hp and 561 lb-ft, allowing the 4MATIC four-door to hit 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.
That’s certainly fast, but not fast enough to escape the fact that this thing just isn’t a coupe. If it is, we look forward to Mercedes’ next Sprinter fastback cabriolet.
