Mercedes-Benz GLE Long Wheel Base: Do The Extra 80 Mm Help?

Mercedes-Benz is quite popular in the luxury car segment in India. So much so that the company boasts of having the biggest portfolio of 8 luxury SUVs in the country. That is, including the most recent launch by the German auto maker - a long wheel base (LWB) GLE.

LWB GLE arrives in India in its fourth generation as an upgrade to the existing GLE, priced at Rs 73.70 lakh for the Mercedes-Benz LWB GLE 300 d, and Rs 1.25 crore for the the LWB GLE 400 d Hip-Hop variant (ex-showroom, India). The latter is the same variant gaining interest on the internet as a ¡°dancing car¡±.

As the LWB moniker suggests, the wheelbase of the SUV has been further stretched to well, make it a bigger car. That includes the external dimensions as well as the space available inside the GLE. In numbers, this ¡°stretch¡± equates to an additional 80 mm of length in the wheelbase for the new GLE. Correspondingly, the complete length of the car is now 105 mm more than the outgoing model.

That being said, is the expansion of the vehicle enough of an upgrade for the GLE or is there more? Does the new, longer wheelbase amp up the luxury and comfort of the SUV? Let us try to answer these questions here.

Mercedes-Benz LWB GLE (Image: Sarthak Dogra/ Indiatimes)

One Look

As is true for any luxury vehicle, one look at it should be enough to enthral the onlooker and get him/her wondering what a drive in such a car would feel like. The LWB GLE does that beautifully with its giant silhouette, short overhangs and large, flush-fitted wheels. The SUV seems confident enough to take on any terrain and still screams to be a luxury experience for the occupants. This is also clear once we step inside the vehicle.

Delightful Interiors

The Mercedes-Benz LWB GLE is much like a candy in this manner. One can get excited just by looking at the wrapper. The real deal, however, is inside it. Plush with leather, numerous physical buttons and two large touch screens upfront, sitting inside the GLE is a holistic experience in itself.

That is also because of the various bells and whistles equipped in the car. Of course, considering it is a Mercedes, all of these redefine luxury in their own way. Vehicle interaction through MBUX voice control system that debuted with the GLC, electric seat adjustment, massage and ventilated seats at the front, independent climate control for each passenger, ambient lighting with colour and brightness control, dual panoramic sunroof, multi-function sports steering wheel and the list goes on.

Mercedes-Benz LWB GLE interiors (Image: Sarthak Dogra/ Indiatimes)

The real question, however, is how the car is able to fair with its extra length. If you are wondering the same, here are the benefits:

Bigger is better

The earlier GLE model measured 2995 mm at its wheelbase. With the new LWB GLE, the same stretches to an extra 80 mm. Naturally, this results in additional space within the cabin. Most of this extra space has been allocated to the rear seats. Mercedes-Benz says that the LWB GLE has 69 mm of additional leg space for the rear seat passengers, bringing the total to 1045 mm.

Similarly, the headroom for the passengers at the back has also been upped by 33 mm to 1025 mm. In addition, the A-pillar is more upright than before to enhance the entry comfort in the first row.

A big plus can also be seen in the luggage capacity of the LWB GLE that now measures 825 litres behind the rear seats and up to 2055 litres when the second seat row is folded down.

Mercedes-Benz LWB GLE (Image: Sarthak Dogra/ Indiatimes)

Corresponding effect

The increased length was obviously going to have some structural consequences. With weight distribution being the key here, Mercedes-Benz has employed larger wheels on the LWB GLE. Owing to the larger form factor, the company also decided to offer two-additional air bags for at the rear seats for side collisions, bringing the total air bags in the car to a maximum of 9.

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz has really given a considerable thought to introducing the new LWB GLE to India. In other parts of the world, the same vehicle is sold as the regular GLE and even comes with third-row seats in some cases. In India, the company decided to highlight the additional rear seat space and kept the third-row seating as optional, owing to the average family size in the country.

Mercedes-Benz LWB GLE (Image: Sarthak Dogra/ Indiatimes)

For those who love to be chauffeur-driven, the combination of a luxurious cabin with enough space to recline the back seats will be a solid deal at the given price. Of course, that is for the LWB GLE 300 d variant. An upgrade to the GLE 400 d Hip-Hop variant would mean opting for the active air suspension system ¡®E-Active Body Control¡¯ that has earned the name ¡°Dancing Car¡± to the GLE. So if you are OK spending more than Rs 50 lakh for a bit more engine power and a really cool and unique independent suspension system, go for the GLE 400 d.

Also watch: MBUX Voice Control System Debuts in India with the 2020 GLC