On Thursday, Mercedes announced plans to expand its range with the AMG Sport lineup, releasing pictures of two models: one being the C450 AMG Sport and the other, what we think is the new GLE Coupe AMG Sport.

We'll have the full details on Merc's "AMG Sport" announcement in a following post, but here, out attention goes to the teaser photo, where we see a new SUV.

Play around with the lighting on Photoshop and the rakish, coupe-like roofline comes to…light: this is the new GLE Coupe or in other words, the production version of this year's Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV from the Beijing Auto Show.

The GLE Coupe is based on the M-Class (itself to be renamed to GLE after its upcoming facelift) and will go up against the BMW X6.

It will have a similar engine lineup to the revised M-Class / GLE, including the pictured AMG Sport version placed between the GLE 400 with a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter petrol V6 rated at 329 hp (333PS) and the GLE 63 AMG with a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing over 570 horses.

Our intel says that both the C450 and GLE 450 AMG Sport will get an upgraded version of the 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 delivering something in the tune of 360 to 370 horses. The GLE will have its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Mercedes-Benz is trying to succeed where Acura and its ZDX flopped: taking on BMW's X6 crossover with the new GLE Coupe.

Daimler is following the same recipe as their Bavarian rival, building a slope-roofed crossover with an athletic stance on its existing mid-size SUV, which in this case, is the ML that is due itself for a facelift and a name change to GLE next year.

As we saw in the first leaked photos earlier today, Mercedes designers didn't veer too far away from the Concept Coupe shown in Beijing, but they did tone down the styling, especially at the back where the production car ditched the full-width lights for a pair of separate fixtures, which like the headlamps, remind us of the S-Class Coupe.

"Our GLE Coupé combines typical coupé attributes, such as sportiness, dynamism and agility, with the confident presence, versatility and robustness of an SUV," said Mercedes-Benz Chief Development Officer, Thomas Weber.

It’s certainly far sportier looking than the M-Class, but somehow I find myself thinking of a pregnant goldfish every time I look at the GLE Coupe's puffy silhouette…

Just like the BMW X6, Mercedes' design budget started and ended with the exterior because inside, the cabin is identical to that of the upcoming M-Class facelift / GLE with new controls for the center console, and a tablet-like display screen for the latest COMAND infotainment system. To spice things up a bit, the Germans will offer a wider range of colors and materials for the leather seats and trim decors.

The GLE Coupe sits on the same chassis as the facelifted ML, but with modified suspension, steering and electronic systems to improve handling and feel. The crossover model is 4,900mm long, 2,003mm wide and 1,731mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,915mm.

In Europe, the powertrain lineup will include both diesel and petrol engines, all paired to Benz's 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive and 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, but with different setups.

For starters, the GLE Coupe will debut Mercedes' new AMG Sport range that targets Audi's "S" and BMW's M Performance models with the GLE Coupe 450 AMG Sport, sitting right under the full-blown AMG vehicles.

"The GLE 450 AMG Coupé is our first sports model, and further highly emotional and performance-oriented models will follow in the near future. The new product line from Mercedes-AMG has allowed us to make true sports car technology and the fascination of motorsports more accessible", said Mercedes-AMG boss, Tobias Moers.

Power for the GLE 450 AMG Sports Coupe comes from a tuned version of the brand's twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 petrol producing 367PS (362hp) and 520Nm (383 lb-ft) of peak torque, with the new DYNAMIC SELECT transmission mode Sport+ being offered as standard.

Furthermore, whereas the other models feature even torque distribution of 50:50 between the front and rear axles, drive is split in a ratio of 40:60 here.

This version also gets a specific AMG body kit with a front and rear apron, a rear spoiler lip and 21-inch alloy wheels with tires size 275/45 R 21 (front) and 315/40 R 21 (rear), or optionally, 22-inch wheels with 285/40 R 22 (front) and 325/35 R 22 (rear) tires.

At launch, the GLE Coupe will also be available with a 3.0-liter V6 diesel producing 258PS (255hp) and 620Nm (457 lb-ft) in the GLE 350 d 4MATIC, and a 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 gasoline unit rated at 333PS (329hp) and 480Nm (354 lb-ft).

A GLE 63 AMG high-performance model to fight the BMW X6M with Merc's 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 and around 570-horses will be added to the lineup as well.

The new Mercedes model will have its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show next month and launch in the third or fourth quarter of the year.

Envisioned in AMG Sport trim

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe has lost its rear doors thanks to a digital interpretation provided by X-Tomi Design.

The independent artist from Hungary envisioned the “coupe crossover” in the GLE 450 AMG Coupe guise but without the rear doors while the roofline is slightly more sloped at the back. It might not be that bad of an idea if Mercedes-Benz will launch a three-door GLE, especially with the AMG Sport version which will sit above the regular variants but below the fully fledged range-topping GLE 63 AMG model.

As a refresher, the five-door GLE 450 AMG Coupe has a twin-turbo V6 3.0-liter engine producing 367 HP (270 kW) and 520 Nm (383 lb-ft). It will be shown in the flesh together with the rest of the lineup in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The flagship GLE 63 AMG will probably be out by mid-2015 with a twin-turbo V8 4.0-liter sourced from the AMG GT and the new C63s.

Not the AMG version

About two weeks after its official launch, the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe has been caught on camera for the first time.

Judging by the front end that features a lot of chrome details and a larger single bar, seen in this video is probably a version different than the GLE 450 AMG. The filmed vehicle also has a different set of wheels compared to the AMG range-topping variant.

The model is expected to reach the market in July 2015 with a handful of different engines. The 350 d 4MATIC will serve as a base modification and will offer 258 HP (190 kW) and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque, while the GLE 400 4MATIC will have a maximum output of 333 HP (245 kW) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine.

Mercedes dropped a video previewing the high-performance GLE 63 AMG Coupe ahead of its world premiere at next week's Detroit Motor Show.

Designed to go up against the BMW X6M, the flagship version of the GLE Coupe series is believed to debut with Merc's new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (unless Benz sticks with the older 5.5-liter V8) producing around 570-horses.

The full-blown AMG model (Mercedes will also offer the GLE 450 AMG Sport) gets some mild cosmetic upgrades over the regular GLE Coupe such as a new front bumper with enlarged air inlets, a vented rear bumper with a diffuser and quad pipes, different front grille and bigger alloy wheels.

The Germans also confirmed their return to the big screen through a partnership with Universal Pictures for the next installment of the Jurassic Park series named Jurassic World and set for a release on June 12, 2015. Mercedes had kicked off the cooperation back in 1997 and 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park', where they had introduced the original M-Class SUV.

“We are delighted to have been able to support this epic action-adventure with our vehicles,” said Jens Thiemer, Head of Marketing Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Our wide range of SUVs in particular fit perfectly with Jurassic World's various requirements, with the focus on our new trendsetter, the GLE Coupé.”

...........trendsetter, the GLE Coupé

Following a preview last week, Mercedes has officially unveiled the new GLE63 AMG S Coupe.

Stay tuned for updates...

Together with the range-topping Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe and GLE 63 S Coupe, Benz also held the world debut of the GLE 450 AMG Coupe in Detroit.

It’s Merc's second AMG Sport model after the C450 AMG that's also being paraded for the first time at the Cobo Center. The two models share a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine producing 362hp at 5,500rpm and 384 lb-ft of peak torque between 2,000 and 4,200rpm.

A new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission is paired up to a 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system with a torque split of 40:60 front and rear respectively.

Other upgrades include the newly designed AIRMATIC air suspension with the continuously variable damping system ADS Plus, the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM with active roll stabilization, bigger brakes and standard 21-inch wheels on 275/45 front and 315/40 rear tires or optional 22-inch rims on 285/40 and 325/35 rubber.

Cosmetically, the GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe gets a unique AMG body kit that includes a specific front and rear apron, a rear spoiler lip painted in the vehicle color, plus gloss black body trim.

Inside, it has sports seats, a flat-bottom sports steering wheel, aluminum décor, sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs and as an option, carbon-fiber trim and piano lacquer trims.

Positioned below the GLE 63 Coupe

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the GLE 450 AMG Coupe for Europe at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

Featuring an aggressive body kit, the model is positioned below the range-topping Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe and comes with massive 21-inch alloy wheels and AIRMATIC air suspension. Inside the cabin the German manufacturer has installed Nappa leather sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and carbon fiber trim with piano black accents. The slightly revised instrument cluster provides information about the crossover's longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

The model is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 unit with twin-turbo technology, generating a peak output of 367 HP (362 bhp / 270 kW) and 520 Nm (383 lb-ft) of torque. The unit is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system. There are still no official details about the acceleration times of the machine.

The all-new Mercedes GLE Coupe-SUV is the only other vehicle of this type currently on the market, aside from the now familiar (but equally new) BMW X6. Now that the German pricing information for the GLE Coupe is out, we can compare the two and draw preliminary conclusions as to which is a better deal.

The GLE starts off at €56,050 in GLE 350 d 4MATIC and by the time you reach the GLE 63 AMG S, you’re looking at a starting price tag of €105,450.

All cars come with plenty of standard equipment, including a driving mode selector, sports seats clad in ARTICO leather, 20-inch wheels, electric tailgate operation and a reversing camera on top of all the usual things you’d expect at this level.

As far as safety goes, the GLE gets standard stability control with Dynamic Cornering Assist and Crosswind assist too.

All models can obviously be specified to your heart’s content, with AMG bits, extra luxury bits or extra sporty bits, depending on what your plan is for the vehicle.

Check out the price list below.

Based on AMG Line models

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a Night Package for the GLE Coupe family.

The optional package is available at an additional cost across the entire range, all the way up to the range-topping GLE 63 S Coupe. It's based on the AMG Line version and brings a wide variety of black accents on the outside, similar to the kits released for the AMG GT, C-Class and CLS facelift.

At the front, the radiator grille adopts a black theme also noticeable on both front & rear underbody protections which have a glossy finish. The GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC and the GLE 63 models receive chrome black exhaust pipes while all the other models have a simple chrome finish.

Moreover, the rear side and rear window are tinted, along with high gloss side mirror caps, black window surrounds and board trim strips while the AMG versions have black wings in both front and rear aprons. Lastly, the regular models get 21-inch five dual-spoke alloy wheels while the AMG models get larger 22-inch rims.