2015 Detroit Auto Show - Interview With Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV Designer and Product Exec +VIDEO

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2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG SUV

DETROIT - January 12, 2015: Mercedes-Benz is combining two classes of vehicle – each with its own distinct style – to make a new model, the Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV. The sporty nature of a coupe dominates, imbued with the striking characteristics of a robust SUV. In addition to convincing on-road vehicle dynamics, the GLE SUV looks impressive as well. The Auto Channel's Henny Hemmes will be interviewing two Mercedes executives about this exciting new vehicle.

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A sportier choice

With its flowing side contour, elongated and low greenhouse, striking radiator grille with central chrome louvre and rear end design, the GLE SUV cites styling features typical of particularly sporty Mercedes-Benz models. In the U.S. market, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe features a biturbo V6 engine that produces 362 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the generous amount of standard equipment, the DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system, the Sports Direct-Steer system and the driver assistance systems typical of the brand, the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe comes standard with the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG SUV

The GLE SUV is the new addition to the successful portfolio of Mercedes-Benz coupes. Alongside the classic, two-door C, E and S-Class models and the four-door CLS- and CLA-Class coupes, the new coupe displays a highly individual interpretation of the physiognomy and light-footed approach typical of this family of vehicles. For example, the GLE SUV displays attributes typical of coupes such as sportiness, dynamism and agility, while also exuding the self-assured presence, versatility and ruggedness of an SUV.

DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system: highly variable – from racy and sporty to poised and comfortable

The GLE SUV feels like a true sports coupe. Despite the similarity to an SUV with its raised seating position and expansive all-round view, the occupants are led to believe that they are in sports rather than off-road mode. The sound is reminiscent of powerful sports cars, while the spontaneous and direct response to all commands is guaranteed to get your pulse racing. On the other hand, it can also create a superior feeling of calm, coupled with unshakeably serene driving dynamics. These two different worlds can normally only be experienced in two separate vehicles – an agile, thoroughbred sports coupe and an easy-going, comfortable SUV. But the new GLE Coupe is different: DYNAMIC SELECT enables a wide spread in the driving dynamics and combines these diametrical worlds of experience in a single vehicle – an automobile premiere.

GLE 450 AMG – the first AMG sports model

The balancing act between extremely sporty yet still comfortable has been mastered especially well in the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC SUV. As the first AMG sports model, the V6 top-of-the-range GLE SUV enables an attractive entry to the world of the sports car and performance brand.

"The GLE 450 AMG SUV is our first sports model, and further highly emotional and performance-oriented models will follow in the near future. The new product line from Mercedes-AMG has allowed us to make true sports car technology and the fascination of motorsports more accessible," says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. "Every vehicle from Affalterbach honors the brand promise of Driving Performance."

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG SUV

The new AMG sports models display impressive product substance and honor the promise of sports performance with a higher output class, standard all-wheel drive and also sophisticated chassis solutions. The variable dynamic control system assigns fundamentally different characteristics to the five transmission modes of INDIVIDUAL, COMFORT, SLIPPERY, SPORT and SPORT+, which the driver is able to select using a rotary control on the center console. The system networks all the control systems, generating different sets of parameters. The names speak for themselves: SPORT and SPORT+ turn the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe into a sporty, dynamic vehicle with pronounced longitudinal and lateral dynamics. COMFORT is the opposite end of the spectrum. Here the emphasis is on the refined parameters so typical of classic Mercedes-Benz sedans, for relaxed, effortless cruising with the greatest possible energy efficiency. SLIPPERY optimizes the handling on surfaces with low friction coefficients such as snow or ice. In addition, INDIVIDUAL mode enables the driver to program and store personal preferences in the individual control strategies, regardless of the engine variant.

In the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC SUV, DYNAMIC SELECT not only modulates the "hard skills" such as the chassis and suspension, steering or powertrain. It is also possible to experience the selected mode more intensively on an emotional level because various "soft skills" such as the engine sound, instruments or dynamic control of the driving lights also vary. To this end, the nature of the various displays on the COMAND screen and in the cockpit changes according to the selected transmission mode. At the same time, the active light function of the all-LED headlamps respond more spontaneously and the engine produces the whole range of sounds from sporty and dominant to poised and restrained:

• If the driver selects COMFORT mode, the displays take on lesser importance and, like the engine, the dial instruments such as the rev counter show a relaxed response to the driver's commands. In combination with the comfort-oriented control of the powertrain and suspension, the result is a feel-good ambience at the level of a sedan. The engine sound is reduced to a pleasant timbre, and the feedback from the road surface and surroundings is considerably quieter in the interior.
  
  
• Things are very different when SPORT+ mode is selected. The character changes immediately, the gear changes performed by the 9G-TRONIC are acoustically accentuated, especially when downshifting with the double-declutch function, and the cockpit instruments respond faster and more "sharply". The large central display visualizes the longitudinal and lateral acceleration plus the steering angle with a photo-realistic motorsports graphic. The engine sound is powerful and acoustically underscores the sports mode. This setting removes any doubt: the GLE Coupe is a lively sports model of the highest order, and treats its occupants to a compelling world of experience.

A perfect combination: 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive and 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission

In the new GLE SUV, the developers were able to show the possibilities of the new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission in an all-wheel drive coupe with a longitudinal drive configuration. Depending on the mode selected for the DYNAMIC SELECT variable dynamic handling control system, the 9G-TRONIC impresses with great agility and responsiveness or poised serenity. It offers an impressively high shift speed and perfect transitions for energetic sprinting as well as gentle, barely perceptible gear changes for enjoyable cruising.

4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive always goes hand in hand with safe, harmonious and sporty handling. The sporty GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC SUV offers enhanced agility and more pronounced dynamics around the car's vertical axis with a torque split of 40:60. The DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes SPORT and SPORT+ deliver superior longitudinal agility and lateral dynamics – specifically as a result of the perfect interplay between the modified driving dynamics control systems ASR, ESP with Curve Dynamic Assist, the electronic traction system 4ETS and the brake control system ADAPTIVE BRAKE.

Stability pact: AIRMATIC with ADS Plus, Sports Direct-Steer and ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM

In addition to the ground-breaking powertrain configuration, the newly designed AIRMATIC air suspension – available for the first time with the continuously variable damping system ADS Plus – guarantees extremely stable driving. The damping system changes its area of emphasis depending on the preselected DYNAMIC SELECT mode. SPORT+ focuses on the greatest possible lateral dynamics with the best possible ride comfort. Conversely, COMFORT mode enables maximum ride comfort with the best possible dynamics.

The current operating conditions are detected via a steering angle sensor, four turning angle sensors and the driving speed from the ESP® signal and the brake pedal switch. The control unit uses these signals for infinitely variable adjustment of the current damping force required for each individual wheel.

The ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM with active roll stabilization is also part of the special sports systems that are activated when the driver selects SPORT or SPORT+. At the same time, the active anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles raise the comfort to sedan level and compensate for even heavy, one-sided excitation – for example when driving over potholes. In combination with the newly configured, degressive Sports Direct-Steer system, whose steering ratio is very direct at 17.4:1, and the compact sports steering wheel, the handling is outstanding in all operating conditions – whether maneuvering in the city, at high speeds on the freeway, or with a swift style of driving on winding mountain passes.

Alongside the appealing design, the exceptional suspension, drive technology and assistance systems familiar from the C, E and S-Class, the GLE SUV is also equipped with numerous standard or optional equipment details and packages to further enrich the experience.