Recently, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia expanded its local footprint with the GLE450 AMG Line CKD, realising the marque’s ambitions for it in the country. The power, performance and signature aesthetics that GLE fans know and love are all here at an attractive RM475,501.00 (OTR w/o insurance; by virtue of the SST exemption has been further extended till the year’s end), making this a rather guilt-free though no less luxurious acquisition that has already seen pre-orders rolling in.
“We are proud to introduce the all-new GLE450 AMG Line as a locally-assembled variant in Malaysia,” says Michael Jopp, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. “It portrays the iconic design of the brand while remaining true to its character.” Still, nobody is quibbling about price. “While our customers were pleasantly surprised by the price point, the bigger topic for our customers was space and the fact that it was a 7-seater SUV,” says Jopp, of the new GLE450’s popularity. Those who were given a preview of the GLE450 AMG were also drawn by its design, an aspect Jopp takes as a given. “This hasn’t changed in the last 100 years! Aesthetics at Mercedes-Benz always makes the best first impression.”
Indeed, the full-sized SUV still delivers in terms of luxury with a wealth of innovation and delights expected of a vehicle of this calibre. To begin with, the full AMG Line exterior is deployed with the iconic diamond radiator grille with chrome pins, sporty aprons with large air inlets, multibeam LED headlights, 21-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels, sophisticated wheel arch trims as well as sleek and sporty bumpers. The GLE450 AMG, in short, remains one of the best-looking luxury SUVs in the market.
Equally impressive is the interior of the GLE450 AMG. The much-lauded space is generous and highlighted by an anthracite open-pore oak wood trim while signature accoutrements flow seamlessly from door-to-door. These include: fully digital instruments that visually float on a linear-themed dash; a Nappa-leather lined steering wheel; the AI-driven full Mercedes-Benx User Experience (MBUX) NTG 6 infotainment system with two 12.3 widescreen displays replete with a digital touch screen media display, paired with both Apple Car Play and Android Auto; the unparalleled 13-speaker, 590-watt Burmester Surround Sound System; panoramic sunroof; a Qi wireless charger; auto-dimming mirrors; the perennially cool 64-colour ambient lighting and more. The one difference in the CKD version, interior-wise, would be the Artico faux leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery replacing Nappa leather in the fully imported version.
Underneath the hood is a pretty formidable turbocharged M256 6-cylinder 3.0l engine. Power is nothing without control and despite the sheer amount of torque (500Nm) and power (367hp), an optimal balance of fuel efficiency and performance is achieved with the cutting-edge 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic. The vehicle goes from zero to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds and makes it look effortless. Meanwhile, the Airmatic air suspension system lends its intelligent adaptive damping system elegantly, adjusting intuitively to driving conditions, speed and load.
The SUV’s sheer driving comfort belies its responsiveness. This was best exemplified by a monsoon storm in a test-drive that saw the vehicle adapting quickly through torrential rain, road bumps, pot holes and puddles in as graceful a manner as possible. Mercedes-Benz’s best-in-class safety and driving assistance systems— Active Distance DISTRONIC, Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and a 360-degree camera for all-round visibility—only fortified a precarious drive.
Of course, one can only discern the best parts of the GLE450 AMG so much by merely reading about it. Why not call for them to deliver the car to your doorstep for a test drive? “[It is] a highly emotional product,” Jopp agrees. “You ultimately create a lot of impressions by seeing, touching, feeling, even smelling and yes, driving it.”
Personalised service is a mainstay at the company, the pandemic notwithstanding. “We see a larger number of our customers asking to be consulted at home. Our home test drive booking service had already been in place for more than a year and there’s been an increase in demand,” says Jopp. Recent efforts to connect better with their customers has also meant further refining and integrating physical and digital efforts. “Wherever there is an opportunity to get in touch with our customer, that is important.”
Of the volatility of the pandemic, Jopp wisely observes that, “To a certain extent, we need to take it as it comes. You cannot anticipate the next lockdown. You can only try to resolve or make changes as fast and efficiently as possible.”
