Mercedes looks to dominate the luxury SUV segment with the new AMG Coupé.

Mercedes-Benz recently launched the 2022 version of their coveted AMG-GLE 53 4Matic+ Coupé. This sporty premium crossover is an offshoot of the brand’s second-generation GLE Coupé Series and offers a harmonious blend of sporty elegance and powerful performance. This month, thanks to Mercedes-Benz Qatar, the FACT magazine team were fortunate enough to experience this latest creation from the German automobile giant, an opportunity we took full advantage of.

Athletic and Elegant Exterior

There is no mistaking the AMG GLE-53 4Matic+ Coupé for other Mercedes offerings as the AMG-specific radiator grille clearly announces this classy coupé for what it is. The designers of this premium SUV have incorporated more style and elegance into its exterior design than most other car manufacturers could ever dream of.

With its reduced length and extended wheelbase, the stance of this AMG is more robust than that of its predecessors. The selfassured attitude of the vehicle is openly displayed through many of its design elements. These include the pronounced power domes of the bonnet, the prominent ‘A-wing’ incorporated into the front apron, and the sporty outer air inlets, the latter two both sporting silver chrome trimmings. Mercedes’ three-point star emblem is proudly exhibited in a double ring at the centre of the grille, flanked by slim Intelligent Multi-beam headlights that are now included as standard.

The sloping roofline of the AMG GLE-53 4Matic+ Coupé is a defining characteristic of this dynamic looking coupé, a look complemented by AMG side skirts, augmented wheel arches and 21-inch light-alloy wheels with AMG lettering, all fitted as standard. At the shapely rear end, we took our time appreciating the freshly designed apron with its AMG-specific detailing. Sitting elegantly above the eye-catching diffuser is a slim strip of silver chrome that runs the width of the vehicle. This strip is underscored by the two round twin tailpipes of the special AMG performance exhaust system, also finished in high-gloss chrome. A spoiler lip on the boot, painted to match the body colour, adds to the sporty nature of this AMG, and finishes off the exterior in style.

Luxurious and Functional Interior

Once inside the AMG GLE-53 4Matic+ Coupé, our attention was drawn to the comfortable and supportive AMG Nappa Leather seats, as well as the novel colour highlights, including the contrasting red topstitching on the upholstery and optional red seatbelts. Wherever we laid our eyes, high-end materials stared back at us, assuring us of the exclusive nature of this vehicle.

The ergonomic layout of the cockpit is exemplified by the latest generation, three-spoke AMG sport steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles. Add brushed stainless-steel sports pedals with rubber studs to the equation and we were left with an aching desire to get out onto the road.

Space wise, the new AMG offers more than previous generations, with five occupants fitting comfortably into the vehicle. The combined capacity of internal storage spaces has been increased to 40 litres, whilst the boot space offers an additional 655-litre capacity. This area can be increased up to 1,790 litres with the rear seats folded down, the most you will find in any vehicle in this segment. We found the panoramic sliding roof not only added greatly to the sense of space inside the AMG GLE-53 4Matic+ Coupé but assisted in lighting up the vehicle.

Innovative Infotainment System

The MBUX infotainment system is equipped as standard in the GLE-53 4MATIC+ Coupé and boasts numerous AMG-specific functions. When navigating this system, we were impressed by the clear graphics and found the setup to be responsive and user-friendly. The instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia display are combined into a single unit and can be commanded via intelligent voice-operated control. This feature is a real taste of the future and is activated through the vocal prompt “Hey Mercedes”. The optional MBUX Interior Assist also enables intuitive operation of various functions through movement and gesture recognition.

The instrument cluster provides access to the start-up menu and five selectable driving modes namely: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ (AMG exclusive) and Individual. Off-road-specific settings Trail and Sand (both AMG exclusive) are also available, ensuring this SUV can handle any terrain it encounters. Perhaps our favourite element of the internal configuration was the optional head-up display. The placement, brightness and clarity of this feature are perfect and we couldn’t think of another vehicle with a better setup.

Powerful Performance

This 2022 AMG-GLE 53 4Matic+ Coupé boasts a 3.0-litre, sixcylinder, in-line, petrol engine, the sound of which was music to our ears. This powerful motor enables the car to generate 435hp and 520Nm of torque. This coupled with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G nine-speed automatic transmission, enables the SUV to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 5.3 seconds, and to achieve an electronically capped top speed of 250km/h.

Combine these capabilities with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, air suspension with stabilising electro-mechanical AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL, along with an ultra-responsive braking system, and you have one smooth and responsive ride. The inclusion of multiple safety and driver assistance features adds greatly to our unshakable confidence in this supreme machine.

Our Verdict

We spent many hours appreciating the splendour of this fourdoor luxury SUV, developing a particular fondness for the Sport+ mode with its agile throttle response. With all this SUV has to offer, the AMG-GLE 53 4Matic+ Coupé represents what most premium SUV manufacturers strive for, yet very seldom manage to achieve. ✤

“The AMG-GLE 53 4Matic Coupé represents what most premium SUV manufacturers strive for, yet very seldom manage to achieve.”

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