It was only a matter of time, and the wait is almost over. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe arrives in India on September 23, 2020. Bookings for the crossover open at 11 am tomorrow, i.e. September 8, 2020. Now, this won’t the first time the German brand has brought the AMG-spec GLE Coupe to India. But, it will be the first model to boast the ‘AMG 53’ tag. The model first broke cover in August last year.

Since it is a proper AMG model, and not just something with a “look-at-me” body kit, the obvious place to start the unravelling process is from under the bonnet. Propulsion comes courtesy of a 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a 9-speed AMG-spec automatic transmission and an active all-wheel-drive system. The powerplant alone pumps out 429bhp/520Nm, whereas the internal starter-alternator provides up to 21bhp/250Nm extra. The result of all that is a 0-100kmph time of 5.3 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250kmph.

As is the case will all AMG-powered Mercs, the GLE 53 Coupe isn’t just about raw power. It does pack some gizmos which not only help tame the monster under the bonnet but also allow the driver to relish driving. So, there are multiple driving modes on offer, including “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport+” and “Trail”. Depending on which of the seven is engaged, the car’s computer sorts out stuff accordingly, including ride height and throttle response. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe also comes with air suspension with, as per Mercedes-Benz, “a particularly sporty spring/damper setup and the adaptively adjustable ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System)”.

Features? Well, it’s got many. The list includes Multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, 64-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic electric sunroof, electric and climatized seats with memory function, head-up display and four-zone climate control. If all that is a bit poor for you, the crossover also comes with wireless mobile charging facility, two 12.3-inch screens (one for the instrument cluster and one for infotainment purposes), the MBUX multimedia system and a Burmester surround sound system.

As of now, the most expensive GLE you can buy in India is the 400d 4MATIC in long-wheelbase form. That costs just shy of Rs 90 lakh. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe, however, will cost way more than that as it arrives on Indian soil via the CBU route. Expect it to carry a price tag north of Rs 1.5 crore. Would you choose this over the Porsche Cayenne Coupe?