Mercedes-Benz has launched the new long-wheelbase GLE SUV in China, a model developed specifically for the Chinese market. The five variants are priced between 599,800 yuan (about $84,500) and 767,800 yuan (about $108,100), all before taxes and incentives, according to First Electric (d1ev.com). The SUV is the first domestically produced long-wheelbase large luxury SUV from Mercedes-Benz and arrives with a wheelbase extended by 120 mm to 3,115 mm, along with seven rear-seat upgrades tailored to Chinese buyers.
Fuel vehicle with EV-like intelligence
The new GLE is positioned as a fuel-powered model that matches the intelligent experience of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). It is built on the MB.OS architecture and integrates the Doubao large language model, enabling the 'Mercedes virtual assistant' to handle complex multi-turn conversations. A unique rear-seat entertainment system, developed by a Chinese team with Tsinghua University, uses an on-device multimodal large model (VLM) - the first application in a fuel luxury model. The system can recognize passenger age, gender, and state to recommend personalized content and adjust cabin functions.
For driver assistance, Mercedes-Benz and Momenta co-developed a highway and urban navigation assist system that operates nationwide. The system is optimized for fuel engines, with water cooling for stability, predictive traffic-light ignition to reduce start-stop lag, and pre-emptive gear shifts for smoother acceleration. The vehicle will be the first fuel luxury model to adopt Momenta's R7 world model via over-the-air (OTA) updates, enabling 'parking-to-parking' assisted driving.
Powertrain and off-road capability
The GLE features a new 3.0-liter inline-six engine (M 256M EVO) producing 280 kW (375 hp) and 560 N·m of torque, or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (M 254 EVO), both with an electric auxiliary supercharger driven by a 48-volt system. The standard intelligent all-wheel drive can distribute torque from 0 to 100 percent between axles, and the optional AIRMATIC air suspension can raise ground clearance to 271 mm in off-road mode. A 'real-time off-road terrain view' displays blind-spot imagery on the central screen.
Mercedes-Benz claims extensive durability testing, including nearly 5 million km of real-world testing globally, with 1.1 million km in China covering temperatures from -40°C to 70°C. The body uses 100 percent two-sided electro-galvanized steel, and the vehicle underwent 15,000 simulated and 150 real crash tests, with an additional 46 real crashes in China.
The new GLE also offers Chinese-specific rear comfort features: 20 mm thicker seat cushions, electric recline up to 38 degrees, headrest heating, and multi-point massage. The rear seats are certified by the German Campaign for Healthier Backs. The 140th Anniversary Edition adds exclusive MANUFAKTUR paint, 22-inch AMG wheels, and special interior trim.
