Mercedes-Benz has revealed UK pricing for the new diesel-electric Mercedes GLE, which has class-leading electric-only range and CO2 emissions, and the updated petrol-electric Mercedes GLC.
The GLE 350de 4Matic is the latest in an extended range of new diesel-electric plug-in hybrids from Mercedes, following the C300de and E300de, and is on sale now, priced from £61,360.
Entry-level AMG Line models are equipped with 20in alloy wheels, adaptive headlight assistance, a DAB radio, heated front seats, a 12.3in digital display and wireless smartphone charging.
Prices rise to £64,860 for AMG Line Premium, which brings extras including electrically adjustable front seats and a 360deg parking camera, and £68,360 for range-topping AMG Line Premium Plus, which includes keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof and a Burmester sound system.
While the C300de and E300de use a relatively small 13.5kWh lithium ion battery, the GLE350de has a sizeable 31.2kWh pack - the largest Mercedes has yet used in a series-production hybrid model. The result is a WLTP electric-only range of 61.5 miles.
This move mirrors that of BMW, which has fitted a 24.0 kWh battery to the BMW X5 xDrive45e petrol-electric plug-in hybrid to give it an official zero-emissions range of 54.1 miles.
At the heart of the GLE 350de's driveline is a longitudinally mounted turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that develops 192bhp and 295lb ft of torque. This is supported by 134bhp and 324lb ft from an electric motor mounted within the standard nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Together, the two power sources provide a total system output of 315bhp and 516lb ft – 11bhp shy but equal in torque to the turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel engine of the GLE 400d. For comparison, the turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor of the X5 xDrive45e deliver a combined 389bhp and 442lb ft.
The combined reserves are sufficient, says Mercedes, to propel the four-wheel-drive GLE 350de from 0-62mph in 6.8sec and up to a limited top speed of 131mph. In electric mode, top speed is limited to 100mph.
