Story & Photo by Patrick P. Tulfo
BEFORE the launch, Auto Nation Group, the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the country, gave the local media a taste of what it feels like to drive their latest offering. Dubbed as the “Hungry for Adventure” campaign, it has been going on for three years now, and it has been held in several markets across Southeast Asia. Its purpose is to break the mold and change the perception on how the company is highly capable of what SUVs can give its owners, which is an adventure of a lifetime.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is the latest addition to the company’s already impressive lineup of luxurious vehicles and now on its fourth generation. This premium SUV comes with a plethora of safety features for both drivers and passengers, the most advanced technology including its voice activated MBUX infotainment system, and a spacious and comfortable interior that seats seven passengers, just to name a few.
Its redesigned body is a certified head turner because of its muscular and yet sporty profile. The chrome accents around the window, on the other hand, exudes luxury, and is similar to those found on its sedan counterparts. The GLE’s new Multibeam LED and Ultra Range beams guarantees great visibility in any driving conditions, while the 21-inch light alloy wheels doesn’t only look good, but was made to go off-road as well, based on the video presentation. As mentioned earlier, the roomy cockpit features a striking dashboard design capped by a 64-colored premium ambient lightning to suit the taste of both the driver and the passengers. The longer wheelbase benefits the interior space greatly as it now offers more space for passengers than the previous model. The electronically adjustable and folding rear seat to accommodate longer items and luggage as well, is a feature first seen in a Mercedes-Benz SUV. The tailgate can now be opened via a kicking motion just beneath the rear bumper making it more convenient to load items.
But the impressive MBUX or the Mercedes-Benz User Experience system, which first made its debut in the A-Class and has now found its way the company’s SUV lineup, is one of its best features so far. The GLE, which now sports the latest generation of the MBUX system, has two 12.3 inches touch screen that are arranged side by side that gives it a widescreen look.
But its most impressive feature is the highly intelligent virtual assistant, which is activated by pressing a button in a steering wheel or by simply saying, “Hey Mercedes” from anywhere in the cabin. The voice command function gives one the freedom to just simply say the destination, choose music, make a phone call, adjust the climate control and even the ambient lighting system. The MBUX comes with a natural speech recognition program that nearly understands all sentences from the field of multimedia to vehicle operation and, by the way, it also has Apple CarPlay feature, too.
Last, but not the least, is the powertrain. The new GLE is powered by an in-line 4 turbo diesel engine that is paired with a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission. It is rated at 245 hp and 500 N-m of torque respectively, and like its predecessor, it offers the 4Matic all-wheel drive system that makes driving on the most challenging terrains a breeze. And since this is a new model, it also offers another first in the lineup of Mercedes vehicles in the country, the EQ Boost, a mild hybrid feature wherein energy recovered from braking and systematic engine shutoffs deliver a boost of power when needed.
The new GLE comes in only one variant the 300D 4Matic, and is now available in all Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide and is priced at P5.690 Million.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo