Good news for those thinking of buying a new Mercedes-Benz GLE & GLE Coupe as the price has dropped and the specifications are now higher. Both will shortly arrive here in volume ahead of the January registrations rush. In line with what is becoming normal practice as Mercedes-Benz accelerates efforts to attract new customers and boost market share, the new GLE (which replaces the popular M-Class) will come on the market here at prices comparatively lower than its predecessor and with a level of standard specifications well in excess of what was offered previously. Like its predecessor, the robustly stylish GLE is aimed at what Mercedes-Benz says is ‘the go-where-you-please motorist who seeks premium class transport that is equally at home, on or off-road’. By contrast, the class-creating GLE Coupe – which Mercedes-Benz believes will be the trailblazer for another new model segment – is a four-door coupe whose sweeping lines belie its muscular, off-road capability. In Ireland, emphasis is being placed on two models, both diesel powered and both with automatic transmission – the GLE 250d and GLE Coupe 350d.
For the GLE 250d, price begins from €65,665 (ex works) with annual road tax from €280, reflecting an 8% price decrease for the new 2WD model. Included within the package will be a range of standard features that Mercedes-Benz sales manager Ciaran Allen values at at €12,508. These include full leather upholstery and trim, heated front seats, Parktronic parking assist, satellite navigation, intelligent light system, metallic paint and mirror pack. For the GLE Coupe 350d version, price begins from €86,805 (ex works) included in which is the full range of features offered in the 250d with the addition of a reversing camera. Launched in a year when Mercedes-Benz celebrates 30 years of their 4-Matic four-wheel-drive system, the new GLE sees a continuation of what Ciaran Allen says is ‘policy on the part of Mercedes-Benz to win over new customers by matching lower prices to higher specifications in a way that delivers added value where it counts most – in the wallet’. To emphasise the point, Mercedes-Benz will pitch the new GLE and GLE Coupe at the market under their recently introduced Star Finance personal contract plan.
