Set to carry the internal designation W167 and replace the current W166 that bowed in 2015, the newest images captured by Autocar shows the three-pointed star’s rival to the Range Rover Sport, Jaguar F-Pace and Audi Q7 still featuring heavy masking on the front and rear, but with noticeable wider wheel arches, new headlights and a similar side profile to the GLC. A Coupe model will also be added at a later stage.
According to the publication, the GLE will see an increase in overall length and therefore wheelbase, while the interior is likely to mirror that of the E-class in terms of design and specification, with a new host of safety and driver assistance systems starring.
Like its sedan sibling and the recently snapped flagship GLS, the GLE will come powered by a range of Benz’s four and six-cylinder turbo-petrol and turbodiesel engines, while the performance AMG 63 and even hotter 63 S will finally drop the 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 for the ubiquities 4.0-litre unit with likely identical outputs to the E63 and E63 S.
Although unconfirmed, the GLE could also expand Mercedes-AMG 53 line of mild-hybrid models by joining the same 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine as the CLS 53 and E53 with an electric motor for an output of 320kW/520Nm, with additional 16kW/250Nm available for short spells.
Expect more details to be revealed in the coming months.
