GLE AMG Coupe is tough and blistering fast

To put it into perspective this tar-scarring Merc is faster than all Porsche Boxters, seven of the eight Porsche Cayenne models, all the Porsche Cayman models, all the Porsche Macan options and all but two of the Porsche Panamera range. It is also faster than the Alfa Romeo 4C, all the Aston Martin DB9's and anything in its class that BMW, Audi or Range Rover Sport can throw at it!

OK, so it costs a blistering, eye-watering R1,859,900 but for that you get one helluva vehicle with knock-down looks that is as capable in tough off-road conditions as it is on a race track, yet well-mannered, comfortable, spacious and safe enough to be utilised as family transport and daily commuter.

The S Coupe is the flagship of the all-new GLE range launched in South Africa this month which is made up of a 350 coupe diesel powered by a 3-liter turbo-diesel which shoves out 190kW and 620 Nm; a 450 AMG coupe powered by a 3-liter bi-turbo V6 engine that produces 270kW and 520 Nm and the big daddy of the three, the 63 S Coupe that thunders out a muscular 430kW and 760Nm.

The new GLE Coupe is the three-pointed star's reply to the BMW X6 bruiser which is similar in shape but not as fast as the Merc and although Beemer's flagship M model is substantially less expensive than the Coupe its looks are not quite as strikingly bold, sporty and as well balanced as that of the 63 S Coupe.

Not that the Merc is a true Coupe because it has four doors and a 4x4 drivetrain plus a raised ground clearance and although it has an attractively sloping fastback roof the space inside the living quarters and luggage compartment is much more generous than a "normal" coupe.

When BMW launched its neither-fish-nor-flesh X6 there were doubts as to whether its SUV-Coupe looks will catch on - but it did, in a big way, with good sales, so little wonder that Merc and Audi are bringing their versions to the local market.

At the Media launch in the Knysna-George area I drove the 350 and the S models and although both versions impressed with their sportscar-like performance on tar they handled muddy, corrugated and fairly roughish undulating gravel tracks with ease.

I loved the roar of the big V8 and the way it flies out of the starting stalls and its amazing cling through the twisties, in spite of its high profile. All three GLE Coupe models have 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive and Dynamic Select Control with the choice of five settings varying from comfortable cruising to hell-raising Sport or Sport+ when the gearshifts speed up and the cling improves even further. Via this system ground clearance of 25cm can be increased by a further 5cm when the going gets tough and once back on the tar it can be lowered to a crouching 20CM

The GLE Coupe range offers two transmissions - a 9G Tronic nine-speed auto box on the 350 and 450, and a 7-Tronic on the S. The diesel splits torque between front and rear wheels and the two petrol versions have more sporty 40:60 rear-biased set-up to suit a more enthusiastic driving style.

As to be expected the living quarters of the new Coupe is classy and stylish yet relatively uncluttered and easy to get used to. Fancy kit include parking cameras, lane-change warnings, hill-hold, 20- and 21-inch alloys (22cm on the S Coupe) is an optional extra).

Although all three models are flamboyantly dressed the 63's individual AMG styling elements really look the part -- twin louvre grille, trademark red brake callipers and massive 22-inch alloys handsomely matched by nappa leather seats and a zooty instrument panel underline the exclusivity of this new range flagship.

The new GLE Coupe range will appeal to the top end of the buying market and it is going to be extremely difficult for other carmakers to match it, let alone come up with something as practical, comfortable, good-looking and exciting to drive.

As with all Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, the GLE Coupé range comes standard with the class-leading PremiumDrive six-year/100 000 km maintenance package.

The models and prices are: