Launched as the brand shakes up its naming system to prefix all SUVs with the letter G in homage to the G-Class, the model is intended to bring the sporty nature of a coupé with the striking characteristics of a robust SUV.

‘Our GLE Coupé combines typical coupé attributes, such as sportiness, dynamism and agility, with the confident presence, versatility and robustness of an SUV,’ said Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Board Member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

Beefed-up styling includes muscular wings, large wheel arches and 20-inch alloys as standard with the option of 21-inch or 22-inch wheels.

Mercedes says the extremely large interior for a coupé provides space for up to five people whilst boot space of up to 1,650 litres is the largest in the class and also holds the world record for luggage compartments in coupés.

The new model also includes fully electric extendable and retractable trailer coupling, which also includes ESP trailer stabilisation. The towing capacity of the GLE Coupé is up to 3,500kg (braked).

From launch the GLE Coupé will be available as GLE 350d and GLE 400 diesel and petrol models offering 255bhp and 329bhp respectively.

There will also be a top-of-the-range 362bhp GLE 450 AMG model – the first model in the new AMG sports line, which straddles the gap between standard cars and full AMG models. This comes complete with DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system and Sports Direct-Steer system.

Features include the Dynamic Select dynamic handling control system, which enables the driver to switch between five transmission modes of INDIVIDUAL, Comfort, Slippery, Sport and Sport+ using a rotary control on the centre console. The latter two modes bring a number of special sports systems including the Active Curve System with active roll stabilisation.

All models come with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive and 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, with the GLE 350 d and GLE 400 models featuring even torque distribution of 50:50 between the front and rear axles while the GLE 450 AMG Coupé gets a 40:60 split.

The GLE 350 d 4MATIC and GLE 400 4MATIC models offer the AGILITY CONTROL steel suspension as standard with an amplitude-selective damping system.

Also offered as an option is the AIRMATIC air suspension – available for the first time with the continuously variable damping system ADS Plus – which comes as standard on the AMG sport model.

Optional features include the latest generation of the COMAND Online with an 8-inch TFT display and intuitive touchpad and also including a DVD player and Traffic Sign Assist with traffic sign recognition including wrong-way warning function.