Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé

If we break down its name, the 'E' shows us that it's based on the more familiar E-Class. But not just that, it's based on the E-Class Coupé. That's telling us that it's a medium-sized SUV, as opposed to the smaller GLC-to-come (currently GLK, which is sold in left-hand-drive countries only) or the larger GLS-to-come (currently GL).

Click link to read Mercedes-Benz Car Names Explained.

Engines will include the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 seen in the GLE 350 d 4MATIC, a 3.0-litre twinturbo-petrol V6 seen in the GLE 400 4MATIC, and another 3.0-litre twinturbo-petrol V6 in the form of the top-of-the-range Mercedes-AMG GLE 450 4MATIC.  

Specs for the GLE 350 d 4MATIC are 258 bhp @ 3600 rpm and 620 Nm or torque @ 1600-2400 rpm. This is the torquiest of the GLE Coupés. The GLE 400 4MATIC produces 333 bhp @ 5500 rpm and 480 Nm @ 1400-4000 rpm. Finally, the most powerful GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC produces 367 bhp @ 5500 rpm, and it sits between the other models when it comes to torque at 520 Nm @ 1400-4000 rpm. Standard models have a 50:50 torque distribution ratio, whereas the rear axle receives more in the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC with a ratio of 60:40.   

All models come with 4MATIC four-wheel-drive systems and 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmissions. The GLE 450 4MATIC comes with 5 driving settings: COMFORT, SLIPPERY, SPORT, SPORT+ and INDIVIDUAL where the driver tailors the features separately. The AIRMATIC air suspension ensures a perfectly smooth ride.

Outside, 20-inch alloys are standard, but 21-inchers and 22-inchers are optional. LED technology is used in all exterior lights and daytime running lights come as standard equipment.  

The AMG model gets AMG bodystyling and 21-inch 5-twin-spoke AMG alloys with the option of 22-inch 5-spoke AMG alloys.  

The new S-Class Coupé's rear end has had an influence on that of the GLE Coupé, which isn't a bad thing at all.  

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé

As well as plenty of safety features (DISTRONIC PLUS, PRE-CRASH®, BAS PLUS and PRE-CRASH® PLUS) as part of the Driving Assistance Package Plus, you can have a 360° camera system and Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC to make manoeuvres easier, as part of the Parking Package. 

A towbar that extends and retracts electronically is also available with ESP® trailer stabilisation which will tow up to 3500 kg when braked. 

No less than 11 paint finishes are available with metallic and special options. That moves us on nicely to inside, where you could either settle for an all-black interior, or combine black with ginger beige, crystal grey, saddle brown or porcelain. Inlays are offered in light longitudinal-grain aluminium, brown open-pore ash wood, brown eucalyptus wood, dark-graphite poplar wood or black AMG carbon fibre / piano lacquer. The designo Exclusive Package brings heated comfort seats with diamond-pattern stitching, designo leather trim around the interior and a black DINAMICA roof liner. 

An optional panoramic glass roof will flood the cabin with light, and you can even have a DVD player with a 6-disk changer, Rear Seat Entertanment System with remote control, a TV receiver, or a Bang & Olufsen Sound AMG system, but an 8-speaker sound system is already installed. 

At the moment, we know that the maximum load capacity with rear seats folded down reaches 1650 litres, but no statistics have been announced for the boot capacity with seats in place. The EASY-PACK power tailgate and reversing camera with guidance lines are standard.

After having read about the GLE Coupé, I want one desperately. But it's important that we research alternatives and competitors, and in this case, the X6 offered by BMW is the GLE Coupé's main rival, but Land Rover's Range Rover Evoque is also in the same category. If you're in the market for something like this, but the 3 mentioned cars are too big, the BMW X4 is the X6's smaller brother.

BMW offer the X6 with 4.4-litre V8 xDrive50i, 3.0-litre 6-cylinder xDrive30d and 3-litre 6-cylinder xDrive40d engines as well as the 3.0-litre 6-cylinder X6 M50d and 4.4-litre V8 X6M. 

Understand the BMW naming system here.

BMW X6

Whereas the X4 has smaller 2.0-litre 4-cylinder xDrive20d, 3.0-litre 6-cylinder xDrive30d and 3.0-litre 6-cylinder xDrive35d. 

BMW X4

The Evoque is offered with 2WD 2.2-litre eD4 or 4WD 2.2-litre sD4 and 2.0-litre Si4. 

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 5DR

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 3DR

From looking at its competition, the GLE Coupé seems to be a performance-orientated vehicle as opposed to an economical one. Also, the Evoque is the only one offered in a 3-door guise, a feature that I adore.