“We have done a lot of development work to give it a unique AMG feel,” says Steffen Nowack, before leaning up against the front fender of the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4Matic Coupé.
The head of SUV development at Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance car division is clearly proud of what he and his team of engineers have achieved with what initially will be the most sporting of the new range of second-generation GLE Coupé models. “We’ve drawn on a lot of experience going right back to our first real performance SUV, the ML55 AMG,” he adds.
Nowack isn’t so much referring to the new GLE 53 Coupé's drivetrain – a mild hybrid unit originally launched in the CLS 53 that combines a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol and 48V start motor developing a combined 429bhp and 384lb ft. Instead, he’s talking about its chassis, which he reveals has been heavily reworked as part of efforts to ensure all new AMG models are more differentiated from their standard siblings than in the past.
We’re at the top of a Romanian mountain, and the heat sink from the prototype we’ve just experienced on one of the most epic roads you’ll find anywhere pings loudly as we discuss the finer points of the new AMG model’s handling.
Following its unveiling at the recent Frankfurt motor show, the technical specification of the GLE 53 Coupé is now well known. As is its performance potential, with Mercedes-AMG claiming a 0-62mph time of 5.3sec and limited top speed of 155mph. They’re impressive figures, no doubt. But what Nowack is keen to show us is just how much work has been concentrated in making it what he describes as AMG's best handling SUV yet.
With clenched fists he’s making circular gestations about the directness of the steering. “I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved. It’s the best steering I’ve been involved with,” he says.
How do you provide an SUV weighing well over 2000kg with what AMG likes to describe as “agile driving qualities”? For a start, the wheelbase has been shortened by 62mm over the GLE 53 SUV at 2935mm, although it is now 20mm longer than the old GLE 43 Coupé. The front and rear tracks are also increased by 17mm and 8mm at 1681mm and 1720mm respectively over its predecessor.
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Been thinking about this mild hybrid engine
Still a mystery quantifying what the hybrid provides as far as an overboost type asssit. We know it runs the electrical system, spools up the supercharger at low revs and feels much more responsive over the older 43 even if torque quoted is the same and acceleration not much better. But nothing tells us the total syste ouputs across the rev range to justify is there? I am generally not one of those new tech will lead to write-offs in x years as cost to replace too high. But for this car what happens in 3-5 years when the 0.9kw battery starts to degrade? Does the performance advantage disappear? whats the minimum to run the electricals supercharger? Then when I decide to replace the battery is that an engine/gearbox out and i guess to replace a bespoke lithium ion battery of that size is several thousand? Happy to be corrected is there are Merc mild hybrid experts out there.
Interesting Vehicle But.....
Given the demographic of the buyers, why does 'steering feel' matter?