Like movie trailers that contain 90% of the good stuff, Mercedes-Benz prototypes show way too much skin before the official reveal. And the amount of camouflage is usually an indication of how close a car is to its debut, like in the case of this 2019 GLE-Class, codenamed W167.
The second generation of the popular luxury SUV has been testing all over the world, but most of the spy photos and videos have come from Daimler's backyard, Stuttgart. Today's clip shows that only about 10% of the body is camouflaged, mainly the lights and bumpers.
The model follows the latest design trends from Mercedes, with slightly cleaner lines than we've grown accustomed to. However, it's by no means dull. Underneath the bodyworks is the same MHA platform that will underpin the next GLS, but with numerous modifications.
Those rugged-looking wheel arches aren't just for show, as the GLE will cope with more harsh terrain than ever before. The Magic Body Control suspension has a mode called Free Drive, which bobs the body up and down rapidly to get the vehicle unstuck from loose sand.
Like the new BMW X5, this German SUV will have an off-road package with special tires and skid plates. The AWD has an electronically controlled clutch to shuffle power to both axles, while the brakes are used to stop wheels that are spinning.
For on-road use, the air suspension has a trick called Curve mode, which is shared with the S-Class, leaning the body into the corner like a motorcycle. Of course, there are new engines too, basically the same ones used by the CLS III, one of the most hip big Mercedes-Benz right now.
For America, the important one is going to be the GLE 450 with 367 HP from an inline-6 and small electric motor. Europe, meanwhile, will make good use of a least two six-cylinder types of diesel with up to 340 HP. However, there' also a possibility of 2.0-liter engines being offered, since Mercedes has invested a lot of money in this department.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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