Keeping with its commitment to introduce petrol versions of its models in India, Mercedes-Benz has launched the petrol variant of the GLE SUV in the country priced at Rs. 74.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The launch was in-line with the German auto giant's planned launches for the year and is the seventh product to come in 2016 out of the promised twelve. The company has also confirmed that it plans to complete its product portfolio in the country by September this year.
Commenting on the launch, Roland Folger, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, "Mercedes-Benz has the most comprehensive luxury SUV portfolio in the country. With the launch of the GLE 400 4MATIC, our discerning customers will now have the option of choosing between the petrol and the diesel version of our highest selling SUV. He further added, "For the first time, we are introducing the GLE with a petrol mill and this underscores our strategy of offering the right product for our growing customer base. This is the fourth SUV we have introduced this year."
This is the first time the Mercedes GLE is being sold with a petrol engine in India
Sold in a single petrol trim, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 4MATIC is powered by the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine tuned to produce 328.5bhp of power available between 5250-6000rpm, while peak torque is 480Nm available between 1600-4000rpm. The motor comes paired to a 7G-Tronic Plus transmission system and power is sent to all wheels via the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The SUV comes with a top speed of 247 km/h.
The Mercedes GLE 400 keeps up with the other variants in terms of features including full LED headlamps with intelligent light system, sunroof, LED tail lights, mirror package with brand logo projection, Active Parking Assist with 360-degree camera and much more. The cabin comes with the best-in-leather upholstery as well as goodies like 8-inch media display, Apple CarPlay, COMAND Online with New Generation Telematics and 830 Watt Harman Kardon surround sound system. Safety tech includes six airbags, Crosswind Assist, Attention Assist, Active Parking Assist and Brake Assist, among other active and passive safety systems.
Mercedes-Benz GLE Rear
Sold previously as the M-Class, the Mercedes-Benz GLE moniker was introduced with the facelifted version and made its way to India in early 2016 only in the diesel trim. This also is the first instance when the SUV will be available in a petrol variant in India. The GLE has been the best selling SUV for Mercedes-Benz India, while competing with models like the BMW X5, Audi Q5 and the likes. The SUV will soon face competition from the upcoming Jaguar F-Pace in the segment.
With growing affinity towards SUVs in the country, Mercedes has been concentrating on increasing its SUV portfolio for the past two years. Moreover, the uncertainty towards diesel cars in the past months and the disparity between petrol and diesel fuel prices have further prompted automakers to shift towards providing petrol options, the demand for which has been growing once again.
The GLE is now being offered in four different options - GLE 250 d, GLE 350 d, GLE 400 and the performance bred GLE 450 AMG Coupe.
