Page 73 - Car South Africa (February 2020)

test

MATCH-UP This impression of roominess torque-converter transmission.
is furthered not only by the GLE’s With a modest 180 kW on tap at
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 broad beam, but also by a gener- 4 200 r/min, the GLE300d looks
ous glasshouse and a second-row a little underpowered compared
bench with 793 mm of legroom. with the six-cylinder rivals occu-
With its squared-off air vents, a pying equivalent price and model-
massive swathe of dashboard and tier posts. Indeed, the union of
Mercedes-Benz
BMW X5 xDrive30d Range Rover Sport GLE300d 4Matic the broad TFT panel housing both low-displacement four-cylinder
Steptronic TDV6 S 9G-tronic instrumentation and infotain- engine and a vehicle weighing a

Practically packaged, Mechanically the oldest There’s no denying ment displays, the cabin is boldly shade over 2,3 tonnes shouldn’t
beautifully crafted and here by some margin (the its presence and the executed – the 64-colour ambient be a happy one; however, the
rewarding to drive; the bones of this car date back four-cylinder turbodiesel lighting pack, which illuminates GLE300d’s unit is a surprisingly
X5’s breadth of talents to 2013). Nevertheless, a surprises with its ability. the trim seams in the doors and keen performer and doesn’t feel
lends it serious appeal recent facelift, engaging Ride is unsettled and it’s
and spotlights the GLE’s dynamics and brand cachet expensive compared to its air vents, adds a welcome bit of as hobbled as you’d expect. The
pricing problem. make up for it. six-cylinder rivals, though. pizzazz – although our modestly 500 N.m of torque announces
specced test unit’s interior other- itself in a hearty dollop between
price: R1 194 296 price: R1 259 406 price: R1 216 699 wise felt quite plain in terms of its 1 600-2 000 r/min and no doubt
xtures and ttings. The plasticky plays an integral part in punting

cyl/capac: 6/2 993 cm 3 cyl/capac: V6/2 993 cm 3 cyl/capac: 4/1 950 cm 3
climate control strip shared with that weight off the line. A
power: 195 kW/4 000-4 400 r/min power: 190 kW/3 750 r/min power: 180 kW/4 200 r/min
the A-Class is a case in point. respectable 8,50-second
torque: 620 N.m/2 000-2 500 r/min torque: 600 N.m/1 750-2 250 r/min torque: 500 N.m/1 600-2 000 r/min The boot managed to accom- average 0-100 km/h sprint time
gears/drive: 8/4 gears/drive: 8x2/4 gears/drive: 9/4 modate 384 litres of our ISO and roughly two-second incre-
measuring blocks. Flattening all ments separating the 40-60 and
0-100 km/h: 6,78 sec 0-100 km/h: 7,70 sec est 0-100 km/h: 8,50 sec
the seats presents an impressive 60-80 km/h in-gear acceleration
top speed: 230 km/h top speed: 209 km/h top speed: 225 km/h
1 368 litres of utility space with a runs is testimony to its ability.
fuel index: 8,04 L/100 km fuel index: 8,30 L/100 km fuel index: 7,68 L/100 km at deck and virtually nothing in The assured way in which the

luggage capac: 384/1 432 L luggage capac: 376/1 296 L luggage capac: 384/1 368 L the way of wheelarch intrusion unit melds with the nine-speed
into the load bay. transmission means the engine
serv/maint plan: M5/100 000 km serv/maint plan: M5/100 000 km serv/maint plan: M5/100 000 km

Continuing in the ne tradition never feels overly stressed. Conse-
USED OPTION (<2yrs)
of alphanumeric model designa- quently, the expected four-cylin-
Maserati Levante Diesel A number of these diesel models fall within this price and model-year tions bearing little resemblance der turbodiesel clatter is instead
bracket. Not as practical as the others here; however, its sky-high image and striking design to what’s under the bonnet, the largely muted at motorway
compensate somewhat.
entry point to the GLE family speeds. The level of mechanical

mounts a 2,0-litre, four-cylin- re nement and a long-legged
01 Standard ambient lighting helps lift the solid but otherwise plain cabin. 02 Steering
wheel-mounted controls for phone and audio include trackpads. 03 Infotainment system’s der turbodiesel that feeds drive gait make the GLE a consummate
touchpad interface works well and is supplemented with “Hey Mercedes” MBUX. to all corners via a nine-speed long-distance cruiser.

02

01 03

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