Is Mercedes Teasing Us with Another GLE Facelift?
Just when you thought the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 couldn't get any fresher, spy photographers have captured a camouflaged version of this luxury SUV prowling public roads once again. The light camo focuses primarily on the grille and front bumper, adding another layer to the speculation surrounding Mercedes' true intentions. Are we staring at an early prototype of the next-generation model, or is Mercedes out to rewrite the facelift rulebook?
Key Takeaways
- Mysterious changes spotted on the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, mainly on its grille and front bumper.
- Speculation is rife: could this be another facelift or an early look at the next-gen model?
- Mercedes might be pursuing a facelift to extend the life cycle amid the shift to electrification.
The sighting of a lightly camouflaged Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 has reignited debates about the purpose of these changes. With camouflage focused on the grille and front bumper, it begs the question of what's truly going on. Not long ago, a test mule of the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe was seen with similar camo, leading many to wonder if Mercedes is secretly planning yet another facelift, just a year after the 2024 model update.
Mercedes recently updated the GLE and GLE Coupe, adding new technology, more features, and refreshed styling. Given that, why would Mercedes be caught testing what appears to be the same model with more refinements? Are these early mules for the next generation, or is the automaker cooking up something entirely new?
Not Much To See
The new spy shots leave much to the imagination, revealing only minor adjustments. Sensors and cameras seem to have been repositioned, and the headlights show different lighting elements. The lower bumper intake also appears altered, but it's challenging to distinguish between what's real and what's being tested.
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The interior, although obscured by cloth covering parts of the dashboard, could be undergoing more significant changes than we initially believed. The 2024 refresh saw minimal interior tweaks, which leaves room for a more comprehensive update soon. This might just be a move to prolong the model's appeal while Mercedes figures out its next direction in the EV landscape.
Mercedes Slowing EV Roll
Like many automakers, Mercedes-Benz appears to be reconsidering its electrification strategy as the EV market cools down. The company has already scrapped plans for a new EV platform, which was supposed to support the future EQE and EQS models. Instead, we might see more enhancements to existing platforms and the introduction of more hybrid options, including a plug-in hybrid version of the GLE 53 in 2026.
Related
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place
The ML of the '90s eventually became the GLE, but it's all the same car - Mercedes' comfortable, capable, and ever-popular mid-size SUV and X5 rival.
Additionally, Mercedes plans to streamline its lineup into three main categories: Entry Luxury, Core Luxury, and Top-End Luxury. This shift aims to hone in on high-margin vehicles to boost profitability. While the GLE holds its ground as a functional high-performance crossover, the GLE Coupe's days are numbered as it will bow out after the next generation.
