If we analyse any coupé-shaped SUV, or crossover, or whatever you want to call them, practically, none of them makes any sense. Take the new GLE Coupé for instance. Like its predecessor, there’s less room for rear passengers and even the boot is considerably small than the conventionally-styled GLE SUV. What’s more, in a practical person’s eye, the rear end looks ridiculous and so do the cosmetic trickeries which are in place to make it stand out from the rest of the range.

However, not all put practically on top when selecting a car. Instead, they hunt for something different, stylish and aesthetically-pleasing. It is for those kinds of customers that cars like the new GLE Coupé exist. And we completely understand their perspective. Mercedes-Benz has unveiled three versions of the new GLE Coupé – two types of diesel and one AMG-spec petrol. As before, we expect only the latter to make it on our shores.

What tags will they carry? One of the diesel will boast the 350 d 4MATIC and the other 400 d 4MATIC. No points for guessing, they house the same 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder turbocharged engines as found under the bonnet of the standard GLE. Power and torque figures are identical too, with 350 d having 268hp/600Nm and the 400 d packing 326hp/700Nm. As their names reveal, Mercedes equips both the diesel versions with all-wheel-drive systems, while transmission duties are handled by a 9-speed automatic unit.

The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé, on the other hand, houses a 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine which is mated to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Yes, that’s the same as the power-plant under the hood of the GLE 53 SUV. The engine alone produces 429hp/520Nm but the starter-alternator can deliver up to 21hp/250Nm extra. As is the case with mild-hybrid systems, the extra oomph is available for a short period and in certain circumstances. Performance? Thanks to the all-wheel-drive and an AMG-spec 9-speed automatic gearbox, this version of the GLE Coupé can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 5.3 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph.

As mentioned above, the Coupés flaunt some cosmetic changes and none of them is of any interest whatsoever. Okay, maybe the sloping rear end and a wheelbase that’s shorter than the GLE SUV can be exceptions but that’s it. And the kit they carry is identical to their corresponding GLE SUV variants. As far as the launch details are concerned, the AMG version will start reaching dealerships from November this year. They will be seen in the flesh, for the first time, at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. While the GLE Coupé will come to India via the CBU route, don’t expect that to happen before we enter 2020.