Mercedes-Benz Gives GLE Major Overhaul with MB.OS and Revised Powertrains

• Mercedes-Benz says about 3,000 GLE components are new or revised.

• OS and the standard MBUX Superscreen lead the SUV’s digital upgrade.

• Revised engines, suspension and lighting target performance, comfort and efficiency gains.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a substantially revised GLE, providing the luxury SUV with a deep technology, powertrain and comfort update rather than a typical topical mid-cycle refresh. The automaker says roughly 3,000 components are new or revised, covering engines, software, lighting, suspension and cabin features.

At the centre of the update is MB.OS, the new Benz operating system now applied to the GLE. The system functions as a vehicle-wide computing platform, using AI-capable chips and cloud connectivity to manage core functions and support over-the-air software updates. Inside, every GLE now gets the MBUX Superscreen as standard, combining three 12.3-inch displays under one glass surface, including a front-passenger screen.

Mercedes-Benz has also revised the assistance package. The new GLE uses a water-cooled processor and a collection of sensors with ten cameras, up to five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Depending on market and package, the system supports adaptive cruise, parking assistance, reversing assistance and higher-level driver support functions.

The engine range has also been updated across gasoline, diesel and PHEV models. The GLE 580 4MATIC’s V8 rises to 530 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 4MATIC now delivers 413 torques from 369. The GLE 450e 4MATIC PHEV adopts the revised inline six-cylinder engine, and its EV range is rated at 106 km WLTP (91 km EPA). Mercedes-Benz also adds an electric heating catalyst to its six-cylinder diesel variants and continues to use a 48-volt integrated starter-generator on gasoline and diesel models.

Ride and refinement were another focus. Mercedes-Benz has added insulation to improve NVH performance, while revised AIRMATIC and optional E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension systems target both agility and comfort. A new cloud-based damper control system can pre-adjust damping ahead of certain road irregularities using Car-to-X data shared through the Mercedes-Benz cloud.

Styling changes are timid and evolutionary, but still visible. The front end gets a larger grille, optional illuminated star and grille contour lighting, and headlamps with horizontal star motifs. Optional DIGITAL LIGHT with micro-LED technology is said to increase the light field by about 40% while reducing energy use by up to 50% compared with the previous system.

As a premium family SUV, practicality remains part of the GLE brief. Included with the SUV are a towing capacity of up to 7,700 lbs, a panoramic sunroof, an available third row, and a cargo capacity of up to 2,055 litres with the second row folded.

Canadian pricing, trim walk and local availability will be provided closer to market launch.