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I reported Paris back on 5/10 - don't remember which source I read that in. Whether the AutoExpress recent 6/11 prediction ("The BMW X5 rival is expected to make its debut before the end of the year, most likely at the LA Motor Show.") is based on more current information is unknown.
Thanks for reminding me you were the source of that little tidbit! Supposedly, my local dealership is in training today on the upcoming cars for 2019. My sales guy promised he'd try to get some info on the GLE. If I learn anything, I'll let you'z guy'z know.
So, I just got to speak with the MB trainer who came into the dealership and she called me, which was really nice of her to do. It was a great conversation. Here's what I learned about the new GLE.
1. They're building about 7 of them a day currently in Tuscaloosa, to torture test them and ensure there are no issues or weaknesses requiring modification.
2. In about 2 months they will put them in production (still not officially released) for deliveries to start around the beginning of the new year.
3. The new dash, she said is simply awesome and she did confirm the GLE is coming with MBUX the new touch screen infotainment system and she said it simply rocks!
4. Since they will go into actual production in the Aug/Sept time frame, dealers will be have the ability to place orders at that time.
5. For anyone wanting a 3rd row, that will be an option in the GLE (I don't know if that's a current option or not?).
So, I just got to speak with the MB trainer who came into the dealership and she called me, which was really nice of her to do. It was a great conversation. Here's what I learned about the new GLE.
1. They're building about 7 of them a day currently in Tuscaloosa, to torture test them and ensure there are no issues or weaknesses requiring modification.
2. In about 2 months they will put them in production (still not officially released) for deliveries to start around the beginning of the new year.
3. The new dash, she said is simply awesome and she did confirm the GLE is coming with MBUX the new touch screen infotainment system and she said it simply rocks!
4. Since they will go into actual production in the Aug/Sept time frame, dealers will be have the ability to place orders at that time.
5. For anyone wanting a 3rd row, that will be an option in the GLE (I don't know if that's a current option or not?).
At least it's something, right? :-)
Anything on engines? I ask because Mercedes now has a 300hp 4-cylinder and there is talk on the Euro sites about a GLE 300.
Anything on engines? I ask because Mercedes now has a 300hp 4-cylinder and there is talk on the Euro sites about a GLE 300.
M
I asked and she couldn't comment. I said the rumor is an inline 6 in the greater than 350 hp range and she said I may not be wrong. It was clear she didn't really want to answer the question. The reality is they could likely slap the current 350 V-6 in the GLE and get them to market faster. So maybe the new engine is slowing these puppies down. I don't want to read much into her not wanting to comment. I'm sure they're told that giving too much to a customer when they haven't publicly confirmed anything is something one can be fired for.
The 2019 W166 is identical to the 2018 W166. There are no changes whatsoever. It's only going to be in production a short time until the W167 is released. I do have the W166 Dealer order guide, but honestly, it's the very same car as the 2018. I tried to attach it, but the file is too large.
I asked and she couldn't comment. I said the rumor is an inline 6 in the greater than 350 hp range and she said I may not be wrong. It was clear she didn't really want to answer the question. The reality is they could likely slap the current 350 V-6 in the GLE and get them to market faster. So maybe the new engine is slowing these puppies down. I don't want to read much into her not wanting to comment. I'm sure they're told that giving too much to a customer when they haven't publicly confirmed anything is something one can be fired for.
I seriously doubt that there will be a V6 in this car since the I6 has been out for a while now. You can pretty much bet the GLE450 will be the first model out the gate with 362hp and a GLE53 with 429hp. I don't know why you keep saying the new I6 is slowing them down when the engine is already in production a several cars already, there is really no evidence of that.
I seriously doubt that there will be a V6 in this car since the I6 has been out for a while now. You can pretty much bet the GLE450 will be the first model out the gate with 362hp and a GLE53 with 429hp. I don't know why you keep saying the new I6 is slowing them down when the engine is already in production a several cars already, there is really no evidence of that.
M
I wasn't aware the I6 was already out and in production. Thanks for clarifying that for me. I hope you are right that it will be a GLE 450 with that much HP. But you are guessing as well. Are there cars with that engine currently sold in the US today? My first ever MB car was a 1995 E320 with an inline 6. To this day, it remains my favorite of all the engines I've had from Mercedes.
I wasn't aware the I6 was already out and in production. Thanks for clarifying that for me. I hope you are right that it will be a GLE 450 with that much HP. But you are guessing as well. Are there cars with that engine currently sold in the US today? My first ever MB car was a 1995 E320 with an inline 6. To this day, it remains my favorite of all the engines I've had from Mercedes.
The I6 is coming this fall with the E53 line of cars and the CLS53 and CLS450. It has been out in Europe for a while now in the the CLS, E and S in various gasoline and diesel models.
The I6 is coming this fall with the E53 line of cars and the CLS53 and CLS450. It has been out in Europe for a while now in the the CLS, E and S in various gasoline and diesel models.
M
I'm glad to see it's already out in Europe. Yet, it's still new for the US from what I can gather? I'd rather have an engine that has been tried in the wild before plunking down over $60K for a new GLE. I do hope you're right about this being the entry level power plant in the GLE.
The 2019 W166 is identical to the 2018 W166. There are no changes whatsoever. It's only going to be in production a short time until the W167 is released. I do have the W166 Dealer order guide, but honestly, it's the very same car as the 2018. I tried to attach it, but the file is too large.
The I6 is coming this fall with the E53 line of cars and the CLS53 and CLS450. It has been out in Europe for a while now in the the CLS, E and S in various gasoline and diesel models.
M
I seriously doubt that there will be a V6 in this car since the I6 has been out for a while now. You can pretty much bet the GLE450 will be the first model out the gate with 362hp and a GLE53 with 429hp. I don't know why you keep saying the new I6 is slowing them down when the engine is already in production a several cars already, there is really no evidence of that.
M
The GLE is absolutely getting the new engines according to all sources (and logic), but not yet officially confirmed by M-B. Also, there is an additional 21 short-term "boost" horsepower from the electric motor between the engine and tranny on top of those figures. Here's a recent article that goes into the engines: New Mercedes inline six
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Jun 15, 2018 at 01:14 PM.
The new engine also runs 48 volt to an electric supercharger to almost eliminate Turbo lag and the new Single Turbo is larger and more efficient than 2 smaller ones.
Edit: but I think this is not for the base model.....
The Car and Driver article is about a Diesel, maybe it holds for gas also.
The GLE is absolutely getting the new engines according to all sources (and logic), but not yet officially confirmed by M-B. Also, there is an additional 21 short-term "boost" horsepower from the electric motor between the engine and tranny on top of those figures. Here's a recent article that goes into the engines: New Mercedes inline six
Thanks and so WAY COOL! They show a supercharger. How does that differ, if it does, from a turbo?
I'm a geek, I must admit. One of the things I'm truly excited about is having this feature in my car. The new MBUX system and every article I've read about it says its truly remarkable. No more map updates on this puppy. No sir. It will get updates over the air.
Thanks and so WAY COOL! They show a supercharger. How does that differ, if it does, from a turbo?
It‘s probably the in-line supercharger announced by Bosch about a year ago. It provides almost instant acceleration by charging the Turbo with pressure before it spools from exhaust gas. It’s also available to supplement boost when accelerating-like when you are coasting and hit the throttle again. The concept (As I understand it) is to pretty much eliminate any feel of Turbo lag yet allow usage of a larger more efficient single Turbo.
It‘s probably the in-line supercharger announced by Bosch about a year ago. It provides almost instant acceleration by charging the Turbo with pressure before it spools from exhaust gas. It’s also available to supplement boost when accelerating-like when you are coasting and hit the throttle again. The concept (As I understand it) is to pretty much eliminate any feel of Turbo lag yet allow usage of a larger more efficient single Turbo.
Thanks Ron. Sounds like a cool solution and I'm sure it will be a great engine from Mercedes. The current GLE 350 engine, from my test drive, was not exactly overwhelming. It was unmistakably Mercedes, but didn't inspire from an acceleration experience. It is one of the things in comparison tests, with say, the BMW X5 and even Lexus RX350, the GLE would come in last place for acceleration.
Thanks Ron. Sounds like a cool solution and I'm sure it will be a great engine from Mercedes. The current GLE 350 engine, from my test drive, was not exactly overwhelming. It was unmistakably Mercedes, but didn't inspire from an acceleration experience. It is one of the things in comparison tests, with say, the BMW X5 and even Lexus RX350, the GLE would come in last place for acceleration.
Hopefully it will come in the GLE non AMG version but probably not? I thought it would require an AMG version to get into the 400 HP numbers. I am waiting for a GLE 43 to arrive so I can test drive one and see what you get besides the engine for the extra $15000. I know there is some styling and interior differences.
Hopefully it will come in the GLE non AMG version but probably not? I thought it would require an AMG version to get into the 400 HP numbers. I am waiting for a GLE 43 to arrive so I can test drive one and see what you get besides the engine for the extra $15000. I know there is some styling and interior differences.
Only the AMG version (GLE53) gets the electric supercharger. A more responsive engine, for sure, but the base 6 should be no slouch compared to the current one. The new X5 only has 335 hp in the 6-cylinder version.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Jun 16, 2018 at 09:57 AM.
I'm a geek, I must admit. One of the things I'm truly excited about is having this feature in my car. The new MBUX system and every article I've read about it says its truly remarkable. No more map updates on this puppy. No sir. It will get updates over the air.
I agree for you, the MBUX looks promising. I'll withhold judgement on the rumored square air vents. I really like the round air vent in the new A Class. I also wonder if the GLE and GLS will get 12.3" screens. I've read they're 10" screens in the new A Class. Regardless, this will be a huge improvement for tech happy geeks like you and me. I'm currently in a MY17 GLS550 (our 3rd GL/GLS) but I may downsize to a GLE. I'll wait to see both before I decide.
I agree for you, the MBUX looks promising. I'll withhold judgement on the rumored square air vents. I really like the round air vent in the new A Class. I also wonder if the GLE and GLS will get 12.3" screens. I've read they're 10" screens in the new A Class. Regardless, this will be a huge improvement for tech happy geeks like you and me. I'm currently in a MY17 GLS550 (our 3rd GL/GLS) but I may downsize to a GLE. I'll wait to see both before I decide.
I would not expect the A class at half the price to have the same size screen as the CLS or GLE. From MBUSA, this is said about the A Class Screen Options: "The infotainment display consists of a pair of screens. Buyers can mix and match a combination of 7-inch screens and 10.25-inch screens to get two of a kind or one of each. The infotainment system is controlled via touchpad, which will be rolled out across the brand’s entire lineup." And Mercedes says the CLS will get the 12.3" Infotainment screen. So I would expect the GLE to get the same screen.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
