If the term "crossover" implies a balance between the nimbler ride of a sedan and the utility of an SUV, then Mercedes-Benz is about to take that idea and cross it over once again, blending a traditional crossover with the performance, handling and styling of a sports coupe. Slated to replace the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the all-new 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe will debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month, featuring a raised ground clearance and high seating position while donning a raked front windshield and a smoothly curved roofline.
Designed more for sporty on-road driving than for off-road capability, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe will make its intentions known from the start, as the first model to arrive will be the performance-focused GLE 450 AMG. A 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 engine will produce 362 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque in the GLE 450 AMG Coupe, and that impressive output will be channeled to Mercedes-Benz's 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system through a new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, an ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM with active roll stabilization and an AIRMATIC air suspension with the new ADS Plus continuously variable damping system will enhance handling and cornering.
"The idea behind the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is to give drivers the open sightlines of a crossover while making them feel like they're at the helm of a sports coupe when they grip the wheel and step on the pedal," said James Buckley, general manager of Smith Motor Sales, a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Haverhill, Mass. "Outside, the sleek styling of the GLE Coupe is designed to evoke a more emotional response than your typical boxy SUV as well."
While the GLE 450 AMG Coupe is confirmed to go on sale stateside next summer, Mercedes-Benz is expected to detail other U.S.-bound GLE Coupe models as early as the Detroit Auto Show. All models will offer a range of advanced features, including driver-assistance technologies like DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and the automaker's heated, adaptive windscreen wiper system called MAGIC VISION CONTROL. For reliable in-car connectivity, buyers will also be able to opt for the latest generation of the COMAND infotainment system, which will be accessed through an eight-inch TFT display and a user-friendly touchpad.
About Smith Motor Sales:
For more than 75 years, Smith Motor Sales has brought Mercedes-Benz ownership to customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Smith Motor Sales has remained an elite Mercedes-Benz dealer throughout the years through its commitment to customer service and its wide selection of new and used Mercedes-Benz vehicles, as well as its expert service and parts staff. Browse their inventory online at www.smithmercedesdealer.com, stop by their showroom at 420 River Street in Haverhill, Massachusetts, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SmithMercedes, or reach them by phone at 978-372-2552.
