Back in October last year, Mercedes-Benz India announced that bookings for the second-gen GLE have begun. Now, we have a launch date. On January 28, 2020, the German carmaker will reveal the prices of the new GLE. For the record, the new GLE first broke cover in September 2018. Do the math, and you’ll see a delay of more than fifteen months. Better late than never, huh? Mercedes-Benz India could offer the new-gen SUV in three guises – one petrol and two diesel. All will come with the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system and 9-speed automatic transmission as standard.

The petrol-powered version wears the ‘450’ badge. That means under the hood will be a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 362bhp/500Nm, and a mild-hybrid system which, when needed, aids the internal combustion motor with an additional 21bhp/250Nm. With this configuration, the GLE can hit 100kmph from nothing in 5.7 seconds and reach 250kmph at full stretch.

As mentioned above, there will be two diesel-fed powertrains on offer – the 300 d and 400 d. Customers opting for the former will get a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which produces 241bhp/500Nm. The latter diesel option boasts a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbocharged power-plant that pumps out 326bhp/700Nm. As far as performance numbers are concerned, the 0-100kmph sprint times for the 300 d and 400 d are 7.2 seconds and 5.8 seconds, respectively. The top speed figures, in the same order, are 225kmph and 240kmph.

With the numbers game out of the way, let’s quickly get a feel of what the GLE will pack in terms of equipment. Depending on the trim level, the kit will include stuff like two 12.3-inch displays (one each for the instrument cluster and infotainment), Mercedes’ latest MBUX system, LED-powered headlamps and taillamps, Burmester sound system, four-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, massaging seats and bucket-loads of safety features.

Once launched, the new Mercedes-Benz GLE will rival the likes of the Volvo XC90, BMW X5 and the Audi Q7. Later, the new GLE Coupe, which debuted in August last year, should also enter the company’s India portfolio.