New powertrain combines 3.0-litre straight six with EV motor and 31.2kWh battery.
The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ has been unveiled, forgoing the mild-hybrid drivetrain of its predecessor for a plug-in hybrid system with up 400kW and 750Nm of torque.
The heavily facelifted performance SUV is the first AMG model to receive the new petrol-electric system, which includes a series of electrification developments already seen on parent company Mercedes-Benz’s GLE 400e 4Matic and GLE 350de 4Matic.
The GLE 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ combines a newly developed version of Mercedes-AMG’s turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with a transmission-mounted electric motor and a 31.2kWh lithium ion battery.
The reworked combustion engine develops 330kW and the electric motor contributes up to 100kW to give a combined system output of 400kW and 750Nm.
By comparison, the BMW X5 M60i and X6 M60i’s mild-hybrid drivetrain develops 390kW and the same 750Nm.
Power for the electric motor is stored in a 31.2kWh battery – the same unit used by the facelifted GLE 400e and GLE 350de. It can be charged at up to 11kW on an AC charger and at up to 60kW on a DC system. The electric range is put at between 80 and 85 kilometres for the straight-backed SUV, and between 82 and 87 kiloemtres for the more aerodynamically efficient coupe version.
The new plug-in hybrid system offers up to seven driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Smoothness, Individual, Electric and Battery Hold.
AMG has yet to provide a weight figure for the GLE 53 Hybrid 4Matic+, but it claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.7sec. This is 0.4sec inside the time quoted for the earlier GLE 53 4Matic+. Top speed remains limited to 250km/h.
Among the styling changes brought to the new AMG model is a new-look front bumper with altered cooling ducts and new 21in wheels. The GLE 53 Hybrid 4Matic also receives new ‘Hybrid’ badges within the front wings and at the rear.
The brakes have also been upgraded with 400mm discs together with six-piston calipers adopted up front and 370mm discs with single-piston calipers at the rear.
Inside, AMG has provided the new SUV with hybrid-specific displays and functions. They include a charging menu with graphics on charging status and the temperature of the battery.