Peter Lyon
May 8, 2024
Mercedes-Benz has a new model in its Malaysian lineup and its called the GLE50 4MATIC. Available only as the 4MATIC, this luxury SUV is locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang, and can be yours at RM528,888. This price hike makes it RM13k costlier than its predecessor.
On the outside, the GLE450 facelift in Malaysia comes with a refreshed design. Its headlights and taillights now get a new light signature, while the AMG Line exterior package introduces a redesigned bumper along with a new diamond pin design on its front grille. Also fitted onto the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLE is a set of 21-inch AMG multi-spoke light alloy wheels.
The new model pick up 14 extra horses
The 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-6 mild hybrid powertrain from the GLE450 4MATIC facelift produces 381 horsepower and 500 Nm, which is 14 horsepower more than the model before the facelift. A temporary boost of 20 horsepower and 200 Nm can also be extracted using the 48V Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) technology.
With the help of the firm’s 9G-Tronic automated gearbox, the 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) system distributes power to all four wheels. With this, the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h.
Hop inside the new GLE in Malaysia, and you get a faux leather and microfibre combo upholstery, along with the German brand’s latest generation steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather. There is also the twin 12.3-inch display setup which serves as the digital instrument display and touchscreen infotainment head unit. As you’d expect, the latter supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Safety-wise, the GLE450 4MATIC employs the new Driving Assistance Package Plus setup which now comes with additional features such as Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, and PRE-SAFE Impulse Side pre-collision system. The Parking System Generation 5.0 package is also fitted and it reintroduces the perpendicular parking functionality to the Active Parking Assistant system.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
The new (facelifted) all-wheel-drive GLE450 comes with some nice aesthetic tweaks plus a smidgen more power from 3.0-litre turbocharged engine. The good thing about this model SUV is that it’s fitted with loads of luxury appointments and is just the right size for the Malaysian market. And although it’s a little dearer than its predecessor it still falls within the realms of reasonable and affordable.
