One point that traditional BBA is often complained about is that the car you buy at a high price is often just a “shell house”, and many comfort configurations have to be paid extra for optional features, such as the commonly used 360-degree surround view, keyless entry, seat memory, etc.
Even before, when Volkswagen’s CEO was asked by netizens during a live broadcast why reversing images were not standard, he was really surprised.
However, in the face of the current situation where their market share is being eroded, BBAs have to make changes and at least paint the “unfinished houses” and lay floors.
New Mercedes-Benz GLE
For example, the new Mercedes-Benz GLE, which was recently launched on the market, has mainly upgraded the configuration of the door version GLE 350 4MATIC dynamic model, adding smart parking with a 360-degree camera, memory components, keyless entry, 20-inch double 5-spoke light alloy wheels, 2 rear USB ports and high-gloss brown straight-grain basswood trim. At the same time, the official guide price remains unchanged, still in the range of 699,800 yuan to 882,800 yuan, which is truly “increasing the quantity without increasing the price.”
The overall changes of the Mercedes-Benz GLE are not significant. There are five models in total, including GLE 350 4MATIC Dynamic/Fashion, GLE 400e 4MATIC Plug-in Hybrid, and GLE 450 4MATIC Fashion/Luxury.There is almost no change in appearance. The length, width and height of the vehicle are 4927/2018/1797 mm respectively, and the wheelbase is 2995 mm. It offers basic colors such as Arctic White, Obsidian Black, Sodium Blue, Space Silver, Emerald Green and Moonlight Gray, as well as an additional seven custom paints.
The luxury configurations such as AMG body style components, LED high-performance headlights, electric foldable exterior mirrors, dynamic star emblem welcome lights, ambient lights with Peugeot brand projection, and panoramic sliding sunroof that are standard on the entire series are also still there.
The interior continues to use dual 12.3-inch integrated connected screens, and the entire series is equipped with Nappa leather multi-function steering wheel, automatic anti-glare rearview mirror, multi-zone intelligent air conditioning, etc.
The modified GLE is equipped with the Intelligent Pilot Assist Plus system, which mainly focuses on traditional functions such as ACC, LCC and lane keeping.
In terms of power, the only change is that the official combined fuel consumption of the two models of the facelifted GLE 350 4MATIC has been reduced from 9.1 liters/100 kilometers to 8.5 liters/100 kilometers, mainly due to the addition of the 48-volt ISG intelligent motor system.
The specific configuration is as follows:
The GLE 350 4MATIC model is equipped with the M254 2.0T four-cylinder engine, with a maximum output of 190 kW and a peak torque of 400 Nm;
The GLE 450 4MATIC model uses the M256 2.5T inline six-cylinder engine with a maximum power of 270 kilowatts and a peak torque of 500 Nm.
The hybrid model Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 e 4MATIC is equipped with the fourth-generation plug-in hybrid system with a peak total power of 280 kW, a comprehensive peak torque of 650 Nm, a pure electric range of 100 kilometers per month (WLTC conditions), and a ternary lithium battery with a capacity of 31.2 kWh. Under 60 kW DC charging conditions, it takes about 20 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.
It is worth mentioning that according to official news, Mercedes-Benz’s long-wheelbase GLE will be produced in China starting in 2025. The model will be developed by a Chinese team and will provide exclusive comfort and technology configurations for the Chinese market. For reference, its competitors, the BMW X5 and Lincoln Aviator, have both been sold in China, and are therefore more competitive in price.
New Maybach S-Class
Coincidentally, the facelifted Maybach S-Class was also recently launched, with similarly modest changes.
The facelifted model has four configurations, with an official guide price range of 1.468 million to 3.643 million yuan.
According to the official website, the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class continues the design style of the current model and offers 13 paint color options, including 8 metallic paints and 5 MANUFAKUR paints.
However, the new car has added a dynamic Maybach logo welcome light located under the exterior rearview mirror.
The new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class measures 5470 mm in length, 1921 mm in width and 1510 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3396 mm. The Maybach S 480 4MATIC comes standard with 19-inch wheels, while the other models come standard with 20-inch wheels.
The interior design has not been adjusted, and it continues to use full LCD instrumentation and AR-HUD head-up display system, as well as a suspended vertical central control LCD screen. The entire series is equipped with a panoramic sliding sunroof, heat-insulating, sound-insulating and infrared-reflecting laminated glass, electric suction doors, LED Maybach logo spotlights, front seat ventilation, and mobile phone wireless charging.
Of course, the rear seats of Maybach have always been more important.
The second row of this modification offers first-class rear independent seats, made of Nappa leather, which can be electrically adjusted. The seat back angle can be adjusted from 19 degrees to 43.5 degrees, and functions such as leg massage and headrest heating are provided.
The real Maybach engine naturally cannot be pulled down.
The Maybach S 480 4MATIC is equipped with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 280 kW and a maximum torque of 500 Nm;
The Maybach S 580 4MATIC is equipped with a 4.0-liter V-8 twin-turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 370 kW and a peak torque of 700 Nm;
The Maybach S 680 4MATIC is equipped with a 6.0-liter V-type 12-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine with a maximum power of 450 kilowatts and a peak torque of 900 Nm.
All of the above models are equipped with a 9-speed manual transmission and full-time four-wheel drive system.
What do you think? Are these two modified Mercedes-Benz models still pleasing to your eyes? How about buying one?