2019 MERCEDES GLE SPIED TESTING AT THE NÜRBURGRING

During the Industry Pool at the Nürburgring I have filmed the 2019 Mercedes GLE class.

Based on new spy shots, it appears the new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is just about ready to be revealed. And the update can't come soon enough, considering the current version dates back to about the 2012 model year when it was still called the M-Class. Two versions of the midsize luxury crossover were caught, one of them likely the basic version, and the other with the AMG Line exterior upgrades.

Regardless of exterior trimmings, the GLE-Class will feature the elegant, organic curves we've come to expect of Mercedes-Benz. The cabin appears more upright than the current model, in part because of the very large glass area. Prominent fender flares are another addition, and they're a rugged black plastic on the basic model, while the AMG Line gets body-color flares. Naturally, the grilles are different between standard and AMG Line models, the latter getting a single cross bar in the middle with little studs surrounding it, and the standard one just has plain slats. The AMG Line also has sportier, lower bodywork while the standard model has bumpers that taper to emphasize a more off-road-ready character.

Since these prototypes look virtually production ready, we wouldn't be surprised if we see the new GLE revealed within a year, probably during the upcoming auto show season. We expect it will use engines from the E-Class range, which currently includes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 in normal and AMG iterations, and a twin-turbo V8 AMG model.

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