One liter of gas, 100 km of driving: New Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe improves fuel economy

Mercedes-Benz introduced the latest generation of the GLE Coupe several months ago. The regular SUV has gained a diesel/electric hybrid version recently, and its Coupe counterpart followed suit today.

Just like the SUV, the Coupe can now be purchased with a diesel/electric powertrain rated at 320 hp (238 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) total. The only novelty is the addition of a larger 31.2-kWh battery that gives you between 86 and 100 kilometers (53 – 62 miles) of purely electric range. The minimum gas consumption amounts to a record-low 1.1 l per 100 km traveled (UK: 257 miles per gallon; USA: 214 MPG). Accelerating from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 6.9 seconds, and the top speed lies at 210 km/h, or 130 mph (switch to all-electric, and it drops to 160 km/h, or 99 mph).

The standard equipment remains unchanged from the ICE-powered GLE series, but the trunk size goes down due to the added battery. With the rear seats folded, you now get 1,645 liters (58.1 cubic feet) of trunk space instead of 1,790 l (63.2 cu. ft.).

The new Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 de Coupe will be produced at the same Mercedes factory in Alabama as the other GLEs. The launch date and pricing remain unannounced.