The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ has been unveiled, forgoing the mild-hybrid drivetrain of its predecessor for a plug-in hybrid system with up 536bhp and 553lb ft of torque.
The heavily facelifted performance SUV is the first AMG model to receive the new petrol-electric system, which includes a series of electrification developments already seen on parent company Mercedes-Benz’s GLE 400e 4Matic and GLE 350de 4Matic.
Autocar understands that the plug-in hybrid GLE 53 will not come to the UK, where the current car will remain on sale for the foreseeable.
The GLE 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ combines a newly developed version of Mercedes-AMG's turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with a gearbox-mounted electric motor and a 31.2kWh lithium ion battery.
The reworked combustion engine develops 443bhp and the electric motor contributes up to 134bhp to give a combined system output of 536bhp and 553lb ft - a significant 87bhp and 170lb ft more than the earlier GLE 53 4Matic+.
By comparison, the BMW X5 M60i and X6 M60i’s mild-hybrid drivetrain develops 523bhp and the same 553lb ft.
Power for the electric motor is stored in a 31.2kWh battery – the same unit used by the facelifted GLE 400e and GLE 350de. It can be charged at up to 11kW on an AC charger and at up to 60kW on a DC system. The electric range is put at between 50 and 53 miles for the straight-backed SUV, and between 51 and 54 miles for the more aerodynamically efficient coupé version.
The new plug-in hybrid system offers up to seven driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Smoothness, Individual, Electric and Battery Hold.
AMG has yet to provide a weight figure for the GLE 53 Hybrid 4Matic+, but it claims a 0-62mph time of 4.7sec. This is 0.4sec inside the time quoted for the earlier GLE 53 4Matic+. Top speed remains limited to 155mph.
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Fed up with this body color just now, nearly every brand has these boring flat Color's. This? , just another crossover, nothing different,just another model for Mercedes.
Love the way the can disclose the laughable mpg of over 200 but won't disclose the weight.
Tax dodgers only please.
You have to wonder why, when Mercedes-AMG have this drivetrain available, would they opt to put the A45's two litre four pot into the C63, GLC63 and (criminally in my opinion) the SL43... all of which are £100k plus cars...?! Who's going to buy these?!
SL43 is the big seller in the US right now. All the 911 comparisons are great for car mags and teenagers but the actual buyers find 375hp plenty for cruising and daily driving on California's congested roads.