Home Car Brands Mercedes-Benz Launches Premium SUVs In Malaysia

Mercedes-Benz Launches Premium SUVs In Malaysia

by Zachary Ho - Jan 14, 2016

L-R: Mark Raine, VP - Sales & Marketing, Passenger Cars and Dr Claus Weidner, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia posing with the new SUVs

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has introduced their range of premium SUVs, made to suit those with active lifestyles, in its continued effort to stamp its mark in the Malaysian luxury automotive segment.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC, GLE and GLE Coupe were unveiled earlier this morning at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC). Before we get to the details, these premium SUVs will be available for viewing at the KLPAC, Jalan Strachan this weekend (15 – 17 January 2016) from 10am – 5pm as part of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s customer interaction initiative. There will be exciting activities like rock climbing, power cycling, bungee trampoline and flying fox as well as chances to win attractive prizes; not to mention a chance to see the vehicles. Click here for more information or follow the conversation on Facebook or by using the #hungryforadventure hashtag.

“The premium Mercedes-Benz SUV line-up redefines the standard of the luxury SUV segment in Malaysia. With our SUVs, we offer our customers the comfort and luxury you would expect from any Mercedes-Benz by providing unrivalled interior value perception. This is coupled with not only striking and exciting exterior design, but also the spirit of endurance, precision and adrenaline. Combining ultimate driving comfort, dynamic handling and great agility, our SUVs are here to allow our customers to conquer every ground,” said Mark Raine, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars.

Starting with the smallest of the lot (the Mercedes-Benz GLA should technically be in this group but Mercedes-Benz has classified it under their compact vehicles segment), the Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 is a premium mid-sized SUV for the active of lifestyle. Priced at RM 328,888 (including GST), the GLC is dressed in AMG kit – body trim and 20″ AMG multi-spoke light alloy wheels, for a sporty and exclusive look.

The sports-tuned suspension and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive allow for a sportier style of driving but doesn’t compromise on comfort. Powering the GLC is a 2L 4-cylinder engine that produces 211hp and 350Nm of torque paired to a 9-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. The powertrain features the DYNAMIC SELECT system with 5 driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. An optional Off-road Engineering package can be had and includes a “Slippery” mode.

Safety-wise the GLC is equipped with the Intelligent Drive system which hosts various aids like COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, CROSSWIND, HEADLAMP ASSIST and ATTENTION ASSIST, to name a few. For convenience, the HANDS-FREE ACCESS automatic tailgate also comes standard.

Big brother, GLE, is a full-sized luxury SUV that speaks quality and refinement. It’s available in 2 variants – GLE 250d 4MATIC (RM 486,888) and GLE 400 4MATIC (RM 568,888).

The GLE 250d is a 2.1L 4-cylinder diesel that powers out 204hp and 500Nm of torque while the GLE 400 uses a 3L twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with 333hp and 480Nm of torque. Besides the difference in output, wheel size is too – 250d gets 20″ and 400 goes one up with 21″ AMG alloy wheels, as well as the transmission – 250d sports the 9G-TRONIC but the petrol version gets the 7G-TRONIC for now. Naturally, both variants feature 4MATIC all-wheel drive and are aided by the AIRMATIC air suspension with variable damping to suit a greater range of driving preferences.

Safety features for the GLE 400 include DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop & Go Pilot, PRE-SAFE Brake with Pedestrian Protection, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.

For entertainment, the GLE comes with a DVD player for the rear that’s paired to 2 20.3 cm displays attached to the headrests and Kleer wireless headphones. With COMAND Online, the passengers can each choose their independent choice of entertainment source.

However, if you’re looking for sports-car-like performance but want to see over other cars instead of their exhaust pipes, then you’ll want to check out Mercedes-Benz’s top-of-the line GLE Coupe. You have the choice of 2 variants of this Sports Utility Coupe – the GLE 400 Coupe (RM 630,888) and GLE 450 Coupe (RM 699,888).

Both variants use a 3L biturbo V6 engine with the 9G-TRONIC transmission. However, power output is different with the 400 at 333hp and 480Nm of torque and the 450 at 367hp and 520Nm. Performance-wise, 0-100km/h sprint time is 5.9 seconds for the 400 and 5.7 for 450. 4MATIC all-wheel drive is also present as is DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes of Individual, Comfort, Slippery, Sport and Sport+.

The sporty coupe look is complemented by AMG trim and gargantuan 22″ AMG alloy wheels. Attached to the wheels is the AIRMATIC with ADS Plus, Sports Direct-Steer and ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM with active roll stabilisation (in Sport or Sport+ modes).

This is only a summary of what this range of new premium SUVs offer and it’s best you see it in the metal. For now, enjoy the gallery below.

Mercedes-Benz GLC