[Mercedes GLE News]

Mercedes Benz’s next gen GLE prototype has been spotted in the wild up close and personal and Auto Blog has the spy shots.

The current GLE is based off the ML-Class but the new GLE will be sitting on the automaker’s new Modular High Architecture (MHA) which will reduce the vehicle’s weight and increase the interior cabin space thanks to the MHA’s longer wheelbase.

Giving it a more rugged look are bold wheel arches, large front grille, and equally beefy air intakes. For a more dynamic body line, Mercedes has given it a more raked rear screen. As for the interior, we haven’t seen spy shots of that yet but the 2019 GLE could offer a pair of digital displays for the instrument cluster and copious amounts of luxurious trim materials.

Powering the new SUV could be units borrowed from the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, meaning we’ll probably see a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, a twin-turbo V8, and maybe even the four cylinder from the E300 sedan in the range. A plug-in hybrid is will also be offered. All of them will probably be paired with a standard all-wheel-drive, nine-speed automatic transmission.

The new GLE is expected to debut in 2018 with a GLE Coupe following after.

 

[HDGFND]

What seems to be a bunch of sensors on the top middle portion of the windshield is more than likely for self-driving tech, maybe on a level that will rival what we can already find on the Tesla Model X and it's upcoming revision?

Unless i'm completely wrong on this one.

 

[GLEM]

I'm guessing advanced cruise control system. Me personally, don't think it'll have the tech that could rival the Model X and the upcoming revisions, but that's just my opinion ! Anything is really a possibility.