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Power & torqueFuel consumptionWarran ty, servicingPerformance dataBrakes & wheelsMercedes-BenzGLE 450AMG 4Matic Coupe``````Price (as tested)|R1 099900 (R1 277 842)``````He``````ight``````1729``````SuspensionDoublewishbonefront, multi-linkrear, air suspension``````Engine2 996ccV6, bi-turbo petrol``````Width^2003Length (^4900)TransmissionEight-speed auto,all-wheeldrivePower 270kW@ 5 50 0rpmTorque 520Nm@ 1 80 0-4 000rpmPower toweight125.8kWpertonneClaimedUrbancycle 11 .7ℓ/100kmExtra-urbancycle 8.1ℓ/100kmCombined cycle 9.4ℓ/100kmCO2 emissions 219g/kmActualTest route 80 kmConsumption 12.7ℓ/100kmCruisingrange 55 1kmWarranty 2-year unlimitedkmMaintenance plan 6-year/100 000kmMotorplanService intervals Determined byOBCBootcapacity 650 ℓUtilityspace 980 ℓKerbweight 22 19kgFuel supply Direct injectionAcceleration0-60kph 3.24sec0-80kph 4.52sec0-100kph 6.22secOvertaking0-120kph 8.59sec60 -100kph 3.08sec80 -120kph 3.9secBraking100-0kph 2.79secin 38mTop speed 250kphBrakesfrontBrakes rearWheelsTyresVentilated discsVentilated discs22 -inch alloysPirelli P Zero28 5/40R2 2 front32 5/ 35 R22rearkg70litr esTANKindecision. Slip the drive modeinto Sport or Sport+ and the airsuspension firms up, the steeringhardens, the auto ’box drops acouple of cogs and thesoundtrack goes rock ‘n roll. Theexhaust note now becomes abewitching blend of AMG GT-like bark when you floor it andshrill A45-like percussion whenyou lift off. Drive it for maximumaural reward and you’d better likethe number 20. Why 20? Beca usethat’s the instant fuelconsumption figure we saw mostof the time. Of course you canslip it into Comfort, drive likeyou’ve lapsed into a coma andachieve an average consumptionin the region of 13ℓ/100km, as wefound on our test rout e.Prim ed for futureAMGshipSo it sounds like an AMG,drinks like an AMG, but mymain concern with niche-bustingcars is they’re ultimately a bit of alet-down to drive. Think BMWX6, 5Series GT, VW Passat CCor even Merc CLS – firstgenerations of these cars feltcobbled together, burdened bycompromise. I’mhappy to reportthe GLE Coupe isbetter resolved onitsfirst outing.Yes, the handlingis wallowy inComfort modebut it gets morecomposed inSport; although at theexpense of ride qualitywhich becomes quite cras hyover the likes of everydaymanhole covers andhighway joins. R50k for theoptional Active Curvesystem that nips on thebrakes and interfaces withthe vehicle’ s stabilitysystems ensures you don’tcatch the two-tonne-plusbehemoth out whencornering tooenthusiastically. The endproduct is a big SUV whichchews up a mountain passwith minimalfuss, although‘athletic’ is a word I’d useahead of ‘sporty’ whendescribing its handlingagility. Our test unit’soptional 22-inch rimsdid love to tramli neover road camberstoo, but that’s theprice you pay forlooking like a baller.Parting shotIn attempting to annex the SUV from themundane, Merc’s GLECoupe has delivered on itsmanifesto: performanceand style of a sports coupe,practicality of an SUV andthe stately pres ence of aluxury sedan. While it ticksall these boxes –somebetter than others – thefinal product impres ses bybeing morethan just acobbled-togetherQuasimodo of a car. Itsounds fantastic, goes justlike a ‘junior’ AMG shouldand has a totally uniquecharacter. Not only that,but all the head-turni ngand admiring glances wesaw over our test periodproves that; however od dly,it resonates with th e public.It doesn’t matter that moreconventional SUVs offerbetter value andpracticality, the GLE Coupeproves that when fashiontrum ps utility, you’re onto awinner.tcRay@TopCarTerrain select-likedialpromisesgo-anywhere cred.22 -inchrims andrunningboardsyoucouldsurf onsuggestotherwiseOUR CHOICE:Eachcompetitor isafflicted with ahintof badgesnobbery but new Mercoutdoessix-cylindered Beemer onperformance andRRS on price.Couple that toitsextrovert characterandit winsout in oureyesMEET THE RIVALSBMW X6 xDrivei35>PriceR9 93503 >Engine2 979cc 6cyl petrol, 225kW@5800rpm, 400Nm @1200rpm>Transmission8-speedautomatic, AWD>Stats6.4sec0-100kph, 250kph, 8.5ℓ/100km,198g/kmRange Rover Sport SCV6 HSE>PriceR1279 774>Engine2993 cc6-cyl petrol, 250kW@6500rpm, 450Nm @2 50 0rpm>Transmission8-speed auto,AWD>Stats7. 2sec0-100kph,250kph, 11.3ℓ/100km, 264g/km