MERCEDES-AMG GLE 53 COUPÉ

THE NEW GLE 53 COUPÉ IS NOTHING LESS THAN EXCEPTIONAL, DELIVERING PERFECTION WITH EVERY FEATURE.

We at Ohlala love all things Mercedes-Benz. Over the last few years, we have had the privilege of experiencing an array of Mercedes’ offerings and have never left feeling less than thoroughly impressed. In fact, Mercedes-Benz is one of those elite brands that consistently strives and manages to improve its vehicles with every new model released. It is not surprising that the Mercedes name is synonymous with prestige and high-performance.

This month we were fortunate enough to be offered a test drive in the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupé, compliments of the great team at Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles. Needless to say, we immediately seized the opportunity.

As the AMG GLE 53 4Matic Coupe came into view, we were instantly struck by the robust yet elegant design of the exterior. The master craftsmen at Mercedes have managed to create a vehicle that is truly exceptional to look at. The prominent power domes of the bonnet emphasise the muscular stature of this coupé, whilst the striking “A-wing” in the front apron, the double ring around the Mercedes star, as well as the slim headlamps, showcase the fine attention to detail the design of this car has received.

Further notable exterior features include the front apron with its sporty outer air inlets, the silver chrome front splitter, and the 21-inch, light-alloy wheels with AMG lettering. Emphasising the vehicle’s refined appearance even further are the AMG side skirts, spoiler lip and boot lid, all of which are painted in the vehicle colour. At the rear, the newly designed apron, complete with eye-catching diffuser elements and silver chrome trim strip, visually accentuate the vehicle’s width, whilst the optional AMG Performance exhaust system (Selectable), made up of two round twin tailpipe trim elements, accentuate the car’s sporty attitude.

Once inside the cabin, it was obvious that the brand’s dedication to perfection had been applied to every aspect of the vehicle. Stunning red topstitching on the upholstery, red seatbelts and AMG badges in the front backrests, provide a sporty ambience with an exclusive touch, whilst the quality and comfortability of the leather seats are of an exceptionally high standard. The interior is very spacious throughout the vehicle ensuring five adults will travel in comfort.

The three spoke AMG, black nappa leather steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles feels perfect in hand. The innovative control and display system MBUX, is equipped as standard in the GLE 53 Coupé. The touchscreen multimedia display and the instrument cluster optically combine into one unit thanks to the layout of the widescreen cockpit. We found the system to be very efficient and user-friendly.

One of the best features of this system is the intelligent voiceoperated control “Hey Mercedes” that allows for hands free access to numerous functions. As impressive as both the exterior and interior of this vehicle are, it was the engine and dynamic driving system that impressed us the most. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic Coupe boasts a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, twin turbocharged engine, complemented by a 9-speed automatic transmission. This setup produces 435 hp and 520 Nm of torque. This allows the AMG to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 5.3 seconds and has an electrically limited top speed of 250km/h.

The new AMG Active Ride Control feature enhances the car’s driving performance, reducing body roll and increasing control when cornering. This all-wheel-drive vehicle has five modes on offer namely Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Slippery and Individual+”, ensuring the vehicle delivers optimal performance during both longdistance travel and short sporty bursts. Additionally, two new modes for off-road use are now available in the form of “Trail” and “Sand”. We were taken aback by how smooth and powerful the AMG GLE 53 4Matic Coupe is.

It felt as if we were driving around in a first-class sports car. From the responsive sports steering and high-performance braking system to the outstanding air suspension and traction control of this vehicle, we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this driving experience. We cannot praise the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupé loudly enough. Every feature of this vehicle is nothing less than exceptional and we can honestly say that this car is amongst the very best we have ever had the privilege of test-driving.

Contact Al-Haddad Motors on 1778 5454 or visit www.alhaddadmotor.com for more information and to book a test drive of your own.