New-gen Mercedes-Benz GLE interior spied

•    Officially, the carmaker has only teased the interior in design sketches.
•    The GLE cabin will take all it’s cues from the S-Class interior.
•    The new-gen GLE is expected to arrive later this year.

Mercedes-Benz is expediting the development of the new-gen GLE since it’s direct rival, the new-gen X5, is already here. The German carmaker has already teased the cabin, albeit only in the design sketches. However our spy sleuths have caught the test mule of the executive SUV revealing the new S-Class inspired interiors.

As Mercedes-Benz’s philosophy goes, any new tech developed is first introduced in the flagship S-Class and then the same is trickled down in all the models. So, inside the test mule, we could see the wide multi-screen display similar to the Luxo-barge dominating the dashboard.

The screens house the digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and has a infotainment screen above the centre console. However, the novel thing seen inside the cabin is a grab handle around the centre console similar to the ones seen in the early gen Porsche Cayenne. All the other Mercedes elements like the air-conditioning vents, switchgears and premium materials are present as well. The grilled speakers and ambient lighting also seem to be similar to the ones present in all the new crop of Mercedes models.

The new grab handle for the front passenger hints at a potent off-roading capabilities. Mercedes boasts about its go-anywhere capabilities in their SUVs, and with the new-gen GLE, the carmaker might want to step up the game. The Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system will also make its way into the new GLE. The new MRA platform might also help free up more space inside the cabin. Exterior styling might undergo significant changes with a more crossing design rather than the body shape of the current car.

The new GLE is expected to break cover later this year, with a market launch in 2019. It is India-bound and, in fact, we expect that the car will be launched in our market shortly after its international debut. This rival to Audi Q5, Jaguar F-pace, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60 will be assembled locally for the Indian car market at Mercedes’ plant in Chakan near Pune.