NEWS
28 AUGUST 2019 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 11
GLE Coupé will be
sold with a choice of
two 3.0-litre dieselsAMG GETS IN ON GLE COUPE ACT
Mercedes-AMG has also
worked its magic on the GLE
Coupé, unveiling the GLE 53
variant at the same time.
A prelude to the full-blown
GLE 63 that’s expected next
year, it features a 3.0-litre
twin-turbocharged inline six
petrol engine with 429bhp
and 384lb ft of torque. It
also has a 48V mild-hybrid
system, making use the
firm’s EQ Boost starter/
alternator that delivers an
additional 22bhp and
184lb ft for short periods and
improves efficiency.
It makes the SUV capable
of 0-62mph in 5.3sec and a
governed 155mph, yet also
a claimed 30mpg combined.
As with other Mercedes-AMG
models, there are revisions
to the chassis, including
retuned active ride control
and air suspension, a more
direct steering set-up and a
high-performance braking
system with 400mm-
diameter front discs.
AMG-specific styling
modifications inside ando u t a l s o fe a tu r e , su c h a s a n
optional AMG Night package
with black trim detailing and
tinted windows.
GLE 53 is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol engine
TARRACO TO BE SEAT’S FIRST PLUG-IN HYBRID...
Seat’s electrification roll-out has begun with a plug-in
hybrid Tarraco, which is due at next month’s Frankfurt
motor show. Available to order in the first half of 2020,
the petrol-electric SUV will be the first launched by any of
the Volkswagen Group’s non-premium brands.
The Tarraco PHEV makes use of a 1.4-litre TSI petrol
engine, putting out 148bhp. It’s mated to a 113bhp electric
motor and 13kWh lithium ion battery pack. The total
system output is quoted at 242bhp and 295lb ft.
That’s sufficient to enable a top speed of 135mph and
a 0-62mph time of 7.4sec. Official fuel economy has yet
to be quoted prior to homologation, but CO 2 emissions
are said to be below 50g/km. Seat claims a pure-electric
range of “more than” 31 miles.
The Tarraco PHEV introduces a sporty new FR trim line
fo r t h e S U V, w h i c h w i l l a l s o g o o n s a l e s o m e t i m e i n 2020.
...AS CUPRA GIVES FIRST GLIMPSE OF SPORTY ALL-ELECTRIC NEWCOMER
Cupra, Seat’s performance brand, has released an interior image of its first EV ahead of the
concept’s debut at the Frankfurt motor show. The model, said to combine elements of a sports
coupé and an SUV, features a new Porsche-style wheel design with ignition and driving mode
controls mounted within it. The all-electric Cupra is expected to enter production by 2022.
Tarraco PHEV: less
than 50g/km CO 2 ,
0-62mph in 7.4sec