Mercedes Benz launches the GLE 450 in India at ₹88.80 lakhs

The GLE was already a part of the Mercedes arsenal in their Indian lineup of vehicles. Now, they are expanding that line-up further. The company has added 2 new variants to the GLE, and they don’t come cheap, the GLE 450 4MATIC Petrol is priced at ₹88.80 lakhs and the GLE 400 d 4MATIC (diesel) which is assembled locally, costs ₹89.90 lakhs.

With the inclusion of these 2 variants, the GLE now has 4 variants to choose from, starting from the 300 d which costs ₹73.70 lakhs, the new GLE 450 Petrol, and the 400 d Hip Hop edition (I am not making this up, this is the actual name) which has a pocket burning sticker price of ₹1.25 crore. (all prices mentioned are ex-showroom prices)

But then, the announcement gets one thinking. When there was already a 400 d Hip Hop edition, what was the need to bring in another 400 d? Well, for starters, the 400 d is almost ₹36 lakhs cheaper than the Hip Hop edition, thus making it more affordable. You would probably wonder much like me, that if the price is ₹36 lakhs cheaper, it would probably lose out on a lot of features and creature comforts, that is actually not the case as the difference in the price is largely due to the fact that the Hip Hop edition is a CBU import while the 400 d is locally assembled.

A few differences in terms of kit quality between the 400 d Hip Hop edition and 400 d can be pointed out, the Hip Hop edition, ought to leave up to its strange name and it does as it is equipped with premium features such as Mercede’s E-Active Body Control Suspension, 590W Burmester music system with 13 speakers, a HUD (Heads Up Display) and 9 airbags. These features are expected on a vehicle with a price north of a crore, but the 400 d also is very well equipped. On the outside the 400 d sports a multi beam LED headlamp set, 20 inch alloy wheels, an active air suspension, an electric panoramic sunroof, a 360 degree parking camera, blind spot monitoring and active-brake assist. Inside the 400 d makes use of the MBUX infotainment system which is used via two 12.3 inch screens (one for the infotainment, one for the instrument cluster), wireless charging and many many more features. As for the powertrain, the 400 d is brought to life by a V6 3.0 litre diesel engine which makes 330 ps and 700 nm of torque, and this engine is mated with a 9 speed automatic transmission.

The GLE Petrol is a new powertrain offered with the GLE, until now the GLE was available as a diesel only model but now interested parties can choose between a petrol and diesel motor. The GLE 450 Petrol is powered by a V6 3.0 litre engine which is coupled with a 48 volt mild-hybrid system, and this engines produces 325 ps and 700 nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 9 speed automatic transmission, and using this transmission, power from the engine is sent to all 4 wheels. Fun fact, using something called the ‘EQ’ Boost Function, the GLE 450 gets an extra 22 ps and 250 nm of torque, making the vehicle even more sprightly and quick. The GLE 450 and 400 d are equipped with the same level of features with respect to convenience, safety and luxury.

The GLE will be going against the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 and Range Rover Sport. The competition is a stern one, and it will interesting to see how the new variants of GLE fares against such rivals.