Mercedes Benz has launched the GLE 450 petrol in India along with a new locally assembled GLE 400d variant as well. The Mercedes GLE was a diesel-only model as of yet.
Mercedes-Benz launched the new-gen GLE SUV in India earlier this year but it was available only with a diesel engines – the GLE 300d and the GLE 400d Hip Hop edition. Now, the German manufacturer has launched two more variants of the GLE SUV in India – the GLE 450 petrol priced at Rs 88.80 lakh and the locally assembled GLE400d priced at Rs 89.90 lakh. Thus Mercedes-Benz GLE range in India thus now comprises of four variants in total – GLE 300d (Rs 73.70 lakh);GLE 450 (Rs 88.80 lakh); GLE 400d (Rs 89.90 lakh) and the GLE 400d Hip Hop Edition (Rs 1.25 crore), all prices ex-showroom.
With the new Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, buyers now have the option of a petrolp-powered GLE. As of yet, the SUV was a diesel-only model. The Mercedes GLE 450 is powered by a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. The internal combustion engine produces 367hp and 500Nm of peak torque and the mild-hybrid system further adds 22hp and 250Nm of torque when called upon. The power is sent to all four wheels via Mercedes’ 9-speed automatic gearbox and Mercedes claims a 0-100kph time of just 5.7 seconds for the GLE 450.
Also new to the variant lineup is the new GLE 400d. Now Mercedes-Benz already sold the GLE 400d in India as a Hip Hop edition model but it was priced very expensively at Rs 1.25 crore. The standard GLE 400d is a massive Rs 36 lakh cheaper than the Hip Hop edition, primarily because the latter comes as a full import while the standard 400d is now locally assembled in India. Being an import, the Hip Hop edition however carries some exclusively features and equipment like Mercedes’ E-Active Body Control suspension, a 13-speaker, 590W Burmester sound system, a head-up display and 9 airbags which are not offered on the standard GLE 400d. The new GLE 400d features 7 airbags in comparison.
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Otherwise, both the GLE 400d and the 400d Hip Hop edition share quite a bit of equipment and features together. That includes 20-inch alloy wheels, multi-beam LED headlights, memory package for the front seats, power adjustable rear seats, the latest MBUX software for the dual 12.3-inch displays, four-zone climate control, active air suspension, a panoramic sunroof and wireless charging. Safety features include a 360-degree parking camera with a hands-free parking function, blind spot monitoring and active brake assist. The same set of equipments are also offered on the GLE 450.
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Both variants a re also powered by the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine which puts out 330hp and 700Nm of peak torque. Power is again sent to all four wheel through Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system through a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Mercedes claims that 0-100kph for this variant also comes up in 5.7 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz GLE competes in India with the likes of the BMW X5 which gets both petrol and diesel engines. It also rivals the petrol-only Land Rover models like the Range Rover Sport and the Discovery. It also rivals the Volvo XC90 which too is offered with both petrol and diesel engines.