Mercedes-Benz Reveals Diesel Engine Options For Upcoming GLE SUV

The carmaker had announced only petrol engine options for the GLE at its global unveil

• GLE diesel shares engine options with India-spec C-Class and S-Class

• It is expected to launch in India in 2019

• Will be the first instance when it gets a 3-row layout

Mercedes-Benz has revealed two diesel engine options for the latest generation of the GLE. The diesel-powered GLE can now be ordered in Europe, but deliveries are slated to begin some time in March 2019. We expect the diesel GLE to come to India in 2019. The two diesel engines that power the SUV in Europe will conform with India-specific BSVI emission norms.

Of the two engines on offer on the GLE, the smaller one is a 2.0-litre unit and will power the GLE 300 d. The same engine is also available on the C-Class in India. This engine makes a maximum power of 245PS and is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission on the C 300 d in India.

The other diesel engine for the GLE is a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder unit that will power the GLE 350 d and GLE 400 d versions. Under the hood of the GLE 350 d in Europe, this engine will produce 272PS of maximum power. The same engine is tuned to develop 330PS of maximum power under the GLE 400 d in Europe. Mercedes-Benz offers this engine on the S-Class in India, in the S 350 d iteration. Under the India-spec S-Class, the 3.0-litre diesel engine makes 286PS of maximum power.

The fourth generation of the GLE, or the M-Class as it was previously known, was revealed in September 2018. In its fourth generation, the GLE will be better equipped to take on the likes of the Audi Q7, as it will also be available with a 7-seat option. The third-gen GLE is available in India with both petrol and diesel engines, and we expect Mercedes-Benz to offer both fuel options in the new model as well.

The entry-level GLE currently costs around Rs 67 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and we expect the new model to cost somewhere around the Rs 70 lakh mark. Apart from the Audi Q7, the new GLE will take on its arch rival from BMW as well, the X5.

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