While we’re still a couple of months away from Mercedes unveiling their second-generation GLE, very revealing images as well as video footage of the car have already been dropped online.
In fact, it was only two days ago that we saw a GLE prototype with very little camouflage on, so in a sense, we have a really good idea regarding its exterior aesthetic and overall design language. So what about the interior then?
At the beginning of July, Mercedes released a bunch of sketches meant to depict the 2019 GLE’s cabin, and while they weren’t exactly as revealing as we would have liked, they did show a massive dual-screen setup embedded in what appeared to be a new form factor for the upper dashboard – as far as Mercedes-Benz are concerned.
Well, lo and behold, those sketches were pretty on point, as demonstrated by these images sourced from Mercedes Fans (*see the photos here). The German website claims that what you see here is indeed the cabin of all-new W167 GLE, and we concur.
What’s that behind the 12.3-inch displays?
Just like in the aforementioned sketches, the interior pictured here shows massive air vents flanking the two screens. However, while the vent on the driver’s side seems to be for real, the element on the passenger side could be there just for the sake of good symmetry – you can clearly see four other air vents mounted on the center console, as well as another one to the far right.
Other noticeable features include the new steering wheel (straight off the latest CLS), MBUX touchpad controller, and the thick leather-wrapped grab handles in the middle, something we haven’t seen on this nameplate since its old M-Class days.
Speaking of siblings, whenever Mercedes decides to renew the GLE Coupe too, in all likelihood, it too should feature this very same cockpit design.
Under the hood
We expect a wide range of petrol and diesel units to be available for the GLE, joined later on by PHEV and AMG-powered ones. Word has it that the base AMG version will put down 571 PS (563 HP), whereas the GLE 63 S version will get 612 PS (603 HP).
As for something a little more “tame”, the CLS 450’s 3.0-liter in-line turbocharged six cylinder petrol unit could also be available on the mid-size SUV.
Coming this year?
Mercedes will be unveiling the all-new GLE sometime this fall, which is why we expect it to show up at the 2018 Paris Motor Show at the beginning of October.