New Mercedes GLE gets TWO new diesel engine options

The new Mercedes GLE – which went on sale in the UK in October – is now available as a GLE 350 d 4MATIC  and GLE 400 d 4MATIC too.

The new Mercedes GLE arrived a couple of months ago as Mercedes delivered a new GLE which has evolved, rather than one which is remotely revolutionary, but one which brought a seven seat option to the fight against cars like the Volvo XC90 and Lexus RX.

The new GLE went on sale in the UK just a month later, but all you could have was the GLE 300 d 4MATCI or the GLW 450 4MATIC, a Hobson’s choice whether you want a diesel or petrol GLE. But not any more.

Diesel may not be the fuel du jour, but it’s probably the best fuel there is a for a big-ish SUV, so the arrival of a couple of new diesel options is good news for the pragmatic buyer.

Both the new GLE 350 D 4MATIC and the GLE 400 d 4MATIC are powered by a 3.0 litre in-line six diesel engine, the 350 d with 268bhp and 442lb/ft of torque, and the GLE 400 d 4MATCI with 325bhp and 516lb/ft of torque.

That very good diesel engine gets the 350 d to 62mph in 6.9 seconds and the 400 d in 5.8 seconds, with economy of 40.4mpg.

The new GLE 350 d and 450 d fit in the GLE range between the 300 d and 450, with the 350 d costing from £61,995 and the 400 d from £64,230. Both are now on sale at Mercedes UK dealers.