At its launch, the feature-rich New Generation GLE SUV, with its versatility, scorched the winding, steep Chongqing roads, Du Xiaoying reports.

Continuing its strong momentum in 2015, the German automaker Mercedes-Benz on Monday rolled its New Generation GLE SUV into the western city of Chongqing. This comes hot on the heels of the launch of the GLE Sport SUV at the Chengdu Motor Show early September.

The new GLE was launched in China in five models: the GLE 320 4MATIC SUV, GLE 350 d 4MATIC SUV, GLE 400 4MATIC SUV, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4MATIC SUV, and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC SUV. They are priced from 778,000 yuan ($121,942) to 1.988 million yuan.

Even though China's automotive industry has seen stagnation this year, Mercedes-Benz bucked the trend.

"Our goal in China this year is to sell over 300,000 units. I am glad to say that in the first nine months of 2015, we have already sold nearly 260,000 vehicles, resulting in a year-on-year growth of 33 percent," said Nicholas Speeks, president and CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co Ltd, at the Chongqing launch event.

October marks the 31st consecutive month of growth in China for the Stuttgart-based company.

"But just like climbing the streets of the Chongqing, we need to keep working hard to reach our destination, and maybe even go a bit further," Speeks said.

It is no coincidence that Mercedes-Benz chose Chongqing, a bucolic region enveloped by mountains and bisected by the Yangtze River, for launching its latest member of SUV family.

The highest and the lowest points in the city are 219 meters, or more than 1,500 steps, apart on a vertical plane.

In the first half of this year, both overseas and domestic SUV brands made up nearly 40 percent of car sales in Chongqing. This level of sales of SUVs is higher than anywhere else nationwide, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

"This city is the perfect place to talk about our expanding SUV family and to continue our 'Year of the SUV'," said Speeks. "Here, the SUVs can prove their strength under all conditions, especially on Chongqing's winding roads."

The SUV models have become a central contributor to the company's success this year, accounting for 41 percent of its total sales, and with 37 percent year-on-year growth.

New generation GLE SUV

Brilliant multimedia performances highlighting the sublime power and beauty of nature marked the launch.The New Generation GLE SUV captured the hearts of all participants when it was unveiled amid light-and-shadow effects emblematic of mountains and rivers.

Hailing from a rich legacy of full-size premium SUVs, the New Generation GLE SUV is a facelift model of the M-Class SUV, and was launched under a new nomenclature which demonstrates its prowess as a "Master of All Terrains".

"As the 'Master of All Terrains', the New Generation Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV redefines the concept of versatility, fully satisfying the entire spectrum of customer needs in areas such as family travel, business, and leisure," said Duan Jianjun, executive vice-president responsible for sales and marketing, BMBS.

Additionally, a GLE family test drive was conducted as part of the launch of the New Generation GLE SUV. Behind the wheel of the GLE SUV, drivers were able to harness the power of the 'Master of All Terrains' as they conquered the mountains bordering the city.

"It boasts powerful off-road performance and excellent handling under all road conditions, a more masculine and dynamic appearance, more comfortable and finer interior space and more user-friendly, advanced appointments, and takes the crown as the perfect all-rounder SUV," Duan said.

The New Generation GLE SUV combines a classic SUV design with modern elements under the modern luxury design philosophy to create a masculine, dynamic yet elegant style. For exterior, the all-LED headlamps come standard across the board, and the daytime running lamps are arranged to blend harmoniously with the striking new LED tail lamps.

Carefully selected interior materials, first-rate craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail intertwine to create an extraordinary sensory experience. Topping things off is the ARTICO leather-lined dashboard and beltline, which add a dash of quality.

The New Generation GLE SUV comes with an advanced and adaptive Dynamic Select, a dynamic handling control system, which offers five specific driving modes to ensure that the vehicle runs smoothly on all surfaces. The driver may freely switch between Comfort, Slippery, Sport, Off-road and Individual modes.

The new SUV model also features a range of rich power options that deliver amazing output. Take the GLE 63 S 4MATIC SUV, for example. It offers an adrenaline-pumping ride with a power output of 430 kW (585 hp) and a maximum torque of 760 N.m, and its extraordinary handling gives the driver full play of these electrifying capabilities.

Inside the vehicle, the temperature-controlled cup holder, Thermatic automatic climate control and heated Magic Vision Control envelope drivers in a comforting atmosphere.

The launch of the New Generation GLE SUV spearheads the rise of the GLE family in China while further strengthening the entire Mercedes-Benz SUV family.

Going forward, the three-pointed star will continue to set new bars in excellence and bring the Mercedes-Benz legend into the future under the new Chinese brand interpretation - an untiring spirit in pursuit of the best.

Mercedes-Benz executives together with GLE SUV customers jointly announce the prices of the models in Chongqing on Monday. photos provided to China Daily

The New Generation GLE SUV captures the hearts of all participants when it is unveiled amid light-and-shadow effects.

The New Generation GLE SUV boasts powerful off-road performance during the test drive.

(China Daily 10/20/2015 page15)