GLE [Spyshots] 2015 Mercedes GLE Facelift (formerly M-Class) (X166)

[Wolfgang]

^ Agreed. Might be the time when it arrives in Germany. Suspect it may be earlier in the USA.

 

[martinbo]

[SINGS]They not gonna change the rear liiights and that's a big prooooblem...
Becoz they frikken uuuurgly! [/SINGS]

 

[Rolf]

[SINGS]They not gonna change the rear liiights and that's a big prooooblem...
Becoz they frikken uuuurgly! [/SINGS]

I'm also disappointed about that!! The back light details look slightly different but they could have changed the shape! Don't like that sharp ending when the back lights curve around the back vender and join the bumper!! It is too much Korean to my liking!

 

[Wolfgang]

^ The lights might still change, according to various unconfirmed rumors.

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2010/02/mercedes-benz-f800-style/

 

[dafour]

^ The lights might still change, according to various unconfirmed rumors.

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2010/02/mercedes-benz-f800-style/

Seems to be really nicer. Let’s see if this is real

And also let’s see what happens with bumpers and exhaust

 

[dafour]

By the way,

Have you noticed that there are two front grills styles? With two bars or one (like MLC)

And that these two styles appear with no kind of order. So I mean there is no evolution involved, it’s just two different styles in parallel

Could they be working in having two styling lines? Like the E-Class Facelift that introduced two styling, “classic” and “avantgarde”. Or are just proofs of concept?

 

[tennmb]

I can tell you for a fact that the 2015 MY ordering guide is already out, and no facelift. That's really pretty sad that it takes MB almost two years to get a FL into production, while we have to look at pics of it out running around.
Here are the 15 changes.
ML250 BlueTEC replaces ML350 BlueTEC
ML400 4MATIC replaces ML550 4MATIC
No more 6-disc changer! – Single disc CD/DVD standard AND in P01 with COMAND with Navigation
Navigation map updates included for 3-years with COMAND with Navigation
Start-Stop Technology ("ECO" button) now on ALL engine variants
Diamond White Metallic name changes to designo Diamond White Metallic (no change to color)
Passenger Memory with 4-way Lumbar (242) added to designo Upholstery Packages
Introduction of 317 Comfort Package which includes:

• 282 2nd seat row pass through
• 297 Rear sunshades
• 311 Heated/cooled cupholders

 

[Wolfgang]

The two bar ML seems to have a stereo camera integrated into the windshield, and has visible exhaust tips, and seems to be an US version with the orange side markers in the headlights?

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2...6-uncovers-more-skin-photo-gallery-81090.html

 

[Merc1]

I don't get it. Should have been for 2015, oh well. I don't see how MB could think a 329hp V6 can replace a 402hp V8. At the very least the ML550's replacement should be the ML450 with the same 362hp version of the new V6 from the 2015 GL450. Big mistake. Ditto for the E400 sedan replacing the E550, should be a E450 model. What is Mercedes thinking or what is their market research/sales telling them? I would almost consider a E450 with 362hp from a turbo V6 with RWD and the new 9G transmission, but nope no such car. Only hope is the rumored C450.

M

 

[Serpens]

I don't get it. Should have been for 2015, oh well. I don't see how MB could think a 329hp V6 can replace a 402hp V8. At the very least the ML550's replacement should be the ML450 with the same 362hp version of the new V6 from the 2015 GL450. Big mistake. Ditto for the E400 sedan replacing the E550, should be a E450 model. What is Mercedes thinking or what is their market research/sales telling them? I would almost consider a E450 with 362hp from a turbo V6 with RWD and the new 9G transmission, but nope no such car. Only hope is the rumored C450.

M

Given that the take rate for the ML550 and E550 was incredibly low, I'm thinking MB believes that people will find it easier to spring for an upgraded V6 with a less high fuel economy penalty.

 

[Merc1]

Given that the take rate for the ML550 and E550 was incredibly low, I'm thinking MB believes that people will find it easier to spring for an upgraded V6 with a less high fuel economy penalty.

I get that, but the jump from the E350/ML350 to the E400/ML400 is a mere 27hp. The torque is more of course, but still doesn't make sense IMO. At the very least it should have been an E450/ML450 IMO.


M

 

[Serpens]

This is true...

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Loving what I see so far with the front. I'm sure they will also do something with the rear. Thanks again @Wolfgang for keeping us informed.

 

[Wolfgang]

MBUSA is considering a M-Class Plug-In Hybrid, in addition to the S-Class and C-Class. Might be based on the ML 400 plus the 80 kW S 500 Plug-in Hybrid module, maybe resulting in a ML 500 Plug-in Hybrid?

"Officially, “Mercedes-Benz is considering an ML-based Plug-In Hybrid," said Christian Bokich, product and technology communications manager, "but hasn’t yet made an official announcement.”

http://www.greencarreports.com/news...-sale-by-end-of-2015-s-class-c-class-ml-class


But, buyers are turning up noses at big hybrid cars, SUVs?

"Automakers are mostly pulling back from offering gas-saving hybrids in their otherwise most gas-thirsty vehicles. So few were being purchased that automakers are rethinking whether it's worth engineering and offering them. [...] Some brands, however, are plowing forward. Infiniti is offering a hybrid version of its 2014 QX60, a full-size, three-row luxury SUV. About 10% of buyers are choosing the $3,000 option, says spokesman Kyle Bazemore. He says that's not just because of fuel economy, but because the hybrid feels just as powerful. "It's extremely similar in power to our V-6, but it gets four-cylinder fuel economy." http://www.usatoday.com/story/money...d-suv-escalade-tahoe-yukon-silverado/8817007/

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/.../attachment/2010-mercedes-benz-s400-hybrid-4/

 

[dafour]

MBUSA is considering a M-Class Plug-In Hybrid, in addition to the S-Class and C-Class. Might be based on the ML 400 plus the 80 kW S 500 Plug-in Hybrid module, maybe resulting in a ML 500 Plug-in Hybrid?

"Officially, “Mercedes-Benz is considering an ML-based Plug-In Hybrid," said Christian Bokich, product and technology communications manager, "but hasn’t yet made an official announcement.”

http://www.greencarreports.com/news...-sale-by-end-of-2015-s-class-c-class-ml-class


But, buyers are turning up noses at big hybrid cars, SUVs?

"Automakers are mostly pulling back from offering gas-saving hybrids in their otherwise most gas-thirsty vehicles. So few were being purchased that automakers are rethinking whether it's worth engineering and offering them. [...] Some brands, however, are plowing forward. Infiniti is offering a hybrid version of its 2014 QX60, a full-size, three-row luxury SUV. About 10% of buyers are choosing the $3,000 option, says spokesman Kyle Bazemore. He says that's not just because of fuel economy, but because the hybrid feels just as powerful. "It's extremely similar in power to our V-6, but it gets four-cylinder fuel economy." http://www.usatoday.com/story/money...d-suv-escalade-tahoe-yukon-silverado/8817007/

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/.../attachment/2010-mercedes-benz-s400-hybrid-4/

I found Hybrid tech really interesting

Yesterday after reading your post I was driving home on my MB, stucked in the middle the traffic jam. Then I saw that the fuel consumption was around 15l/100km

I thought then that Hybrid tech consumes half and provides a lot of extra torque and performance to the vehicle

For instance Range Rover Sport Hybrid // Power: 340 HP at 4.000rpm // Torque: 700Nm @ 1.500-3.000rpm // EMISSIONS 169 g/km // TOP SPEED 140 mph OR 225 km/h // ACCELERATION 0-62 MPH (0-100 KPH) 6.7 s // FUEL CONSUMPTION: COMBINED 6.8 mpg US OR 6.4 L/100Km

I could be really interested, but Range Rover asks for 10.000€ more for the Hybrid tech version. IMO quite too much.
The sales problem is a question of driving preferences or just a question of the price?

 

[Wolfgang]

^ Probably both. MBUSA offered the ML 450 HYBRID a while back, which was not too popular.
Folks interested in fuel economy may have chosen the ML 350 BlueTEC instead?

Source: http://www.fueleconomy.gov

 

[Wolfgang]

2016 Mercedes-Benz M-Class facelift spied near factory in Stuttgart
ML400 to replace ML350
The facelifted 2016 Mercedes-Benz M-Class has been spied near the company's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

Expect the 2016 M-Class to receive an exterior overhaul as significant as on the 2014 E-Class with a redesigned front fascia featuring a single-bar grille and modified headlights with daytime running light bars. Moreover, the character line will also be altered while the bezel of the outer wheel arch will be softened. The taillights will also go through some changes and we expect the interior cabin to be modified as well with a new central display and the latest COMAND Online system.

Mercedes-Benz will retire the ML350 in order to make room for a ML400 equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo rated at 333 PS (245 kW) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque. The 7G TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission will be replaced by the new 9G TRONIC variant while a more economical 4-cylinder BlueTEC engine will also be offered.

According to a recent report, the facelifted Mercedes-Benz M-Class will be introduced in the fall of 2015 so look for a public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September next year.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114071077989/2016-mercedes-benz-m-class-facelift-spied-near-factory

 

[dafour]

Good and bad news

Bad: MB will delay the facelift to be a MY2016

Good: They have at the end realized and accepted that M-Class has not only front styling problems (the actual is nice but outdated with current MB design language) but also problems with the back design (pillar C, taillights, rear bumpers, exhausts, …) and with the lateral character line (I like the aluminum inferior trim). Current M-Class (even with AMG package) lacks some character if you compare it with other competitors

Let’s see how it progresses

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Where is this information from dafour?

I seriously doubt they will be modifying the C pillar.

 

[Wolfgang]

The ML may receive the rear light graphics from the E-Class, and include an ML 220 BlueTEC model, according to the latest MB Passion rumors.