Prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz updated GLE-Class Coupe have been sighted under examination by engineers.
The current generation’s coupe-inspired SUV, which initially hit the market in the 2021 model year and underwent its inaugural upgrade in 2024, is due for its second enhancement.
The forthcoming refresh is anticipated to debut in 2026, indicating its possible release for the 2027 model year in the United States. A comparable update is slated for the regular GLE-Class around the same period.
The prototype’s concealment suggests alterations to the front design, such as updated headlights, a refreshed grille, and a renewed bumper style. Our spy photographer also noted concealments over the steering wheel and infotainment system, hinting at forthcoming revisions to these components as well.
Rather atypically for Mercedes, the vehicle will experience more than a single upgrade throughout its lifecycle; however, this second refreshment aims to prolong the GLE-Class model’s appeal. Mercedes now intends to maintain several of its current internal combustion engine vehicles in production for an extended duration than originally foreseen. The upscale GLS-Class SUV and the prestigious S-Class sedan are also projected to have their life cycles elongated.
The shift is attributed to the more gradual than anticipated shift to electric vehicle acceptance. Mercedes had slated a complete transition to electric propulsion by the 2030 milestone, but as of February, the company has chosen to continue the production of gas-powered vehicles past this timeline. Extending the longevity of the existing combustion engine range will afford the manufacturer the opportunity to observe EV market trends and possibly plan unexpected successors for certain gas-fueled models.
Presently, in the American market, the GLE-Class Coupe is exclusively available in the GLE 53 and the high-performance GLE 63 variants, both conceived by the AMG performance division. Details regarding alterations to the mechanical aspects of the vehicle remain unclear; however, Mercedes has confirmed a new plug-in hybrid system for the GLE 53 scheduled for the 2026 model year, replacing the extant mild-hybrid configuration. This novel system will amalgamate a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 536 hp. As it stands, the GLE SUV showcases a plug-in hybrid version in the 381-hp GLE 450e model.
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