The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 12: Summer 2019 | Page 38

REVVED UP First Look At The New Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 “A successful combination that achieves the win- win of reduced fuel consumption and emissions” The SUV bandwagon rolls on, seemingly unstoppable. Mercedes-Benz has now taken the sector another stage further with, it has be said, the rather exciting performance-based Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+, packed with even more power and precision, yet with just 212g/ km of emissions. The Driving Dynamics The motive power is provided by the 435hp, 3.0L straight- six engine featuring twin- turbocharging and an electric auxiliary compressor that delivers maximum torque of 520Nm. Its EQ-Boost starter generator briefly provides an additional 16 kW of output plus 250Nm of torque and additionally feeds the 48V on-board electrical system. This powerful motor drives fully variable all-wheel drive via an agile 9-speed automatic transmission. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.3 seconds and achieves an electronically limited speed of 155 mph. The whole is a successful combination that achieves the win-win of reduced fuel consumption and emissions. An AMG-specific drive programme and ‘active ride control’ air suspension has a particularly sportive spring/ damper set-up coupled with adjustable damping that provides outstanding driving dynamics with high ride comfort. The damping characteristics can be preselected by the driver in a variety of modes; ‘Slippery’, “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport+” and ‘Individual’, allowing a significantly more noticeable differentiation between long- distance comfort and sporty driving dynamics. In addition, there are two new levels for off- road use, “Trail” and “Sand”. Numerous options such as the selectable performance exhaust system and the AMG steering wheel buttons make the driving experience even more exciting, says the company. The Gearbox The 9-speed automatic torque- clutch transmission ensures seamless gear shifting with extremely short shift times. It is optimally tuned to the engine and promises speedy shifting – regardless of an automatic or manual transmission via the steering wheel shift paddles. Up-shifts or down-shifts are implemented instantly. Especially in the “Sport+” and in manual driving modes, the transmission is said to be very responsive, according to the German brand. Multiple downshifting enables fast bursts of speed, while the double-clutch function makes shift operations acoustically more pleasing to the ears. All-Wheel Drive Securing all corners, the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive is equipped for maximum traction and dynamics. The intelligent steering variably links the permanently driven rear axle with the front axle and continually calculates the optimum torque distribution – depending on the driving situation and the driver’s wishes. The all-wheel drive thus improves traction and more powerful acceleration from a standing position and for short sprints. 38 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019 The Interior The GLE 53 4MATIC+ can be recognised by the characteristic red colour accents. This starts with the seats, fitted as standard with covers in black Artico man-made leather with red contrasting top stitching. They not only offer optimal lateral support, but also have an AMG-specific design and “AMG” badge in the front seat backrest. The top part of the instrument panel is covered in the same man-made leather. The black roof liner and the trim elements are in Anthracite open-pore oak wood, all of which underscore the sporty appearance. A key highlight is the foldable third row of seats (standard in the UK specification), which make the Mercedes a seven- seater. Thanks to the Easy Entry function of the fully electrically adjustable second seat row, the two rearmost passengers can conveniently reach their seats. Within the widescreen cockpit, the instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia display optically combine into one unit. Numerous functions can also be activated via the intelligent voice- operated control. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ offers all the attributes of a family SUV combined with the spirit of a performance sports car. By Geoff Maxted www.drivewrite.co.uk