Mercedes-Benz Calls This Special GLE SUV A Future Collectible

Just a few weeks ago, Mercedes-Benz kicked off its celebration of 55 years of AMG, the brand's in-house tuning arm. AMG used to be a standalone brand, until one day Mercedes decided that wasn't going to be the case anymore. Since, the brand has regularly put out some of the most insane road cars ever made, like the AMG ONE hypercar.

This special edition Mercedes-Benz GLE is certainly about as far as Mercs get from the AMG ONE, but it's still pretty unique nonetheless. This one follows much the same ethos as the previous "Edition 55" models that Merc has trickled out over the last several weeks, including black paint and big wheels. Because what's an AMG without those goodies?

Changes over the regular GLE includes these massive 22-inch AMG wheels and black paint, as well as the side graphics you see in the image, bearing the AMG crest. Those wheels, by the way, also feature an "Edition 55" graphic on their center caps.

Mercedes has also optioned these updated GLE models with the AMG Night Package, which blacks out certain trim elements in black, like the diffuser and window trim. Those changes also extend to the front splitter, mirror housings, and tinted rear glass. Around back, that also means blacked-out tailpipes naturally.

No one will likely notice, but AMG has gone to the trouble of adding its logo to the fuel filler cap, which is done up in chrome. We're betting that'll be hard to keep clean and may even get stolen.

Inside, the interior gets contrasting black leather with red stitching, as well as stainless steel door sill trim. Merc says that buyers will get special red illuminated AMG lettering on that door trim. That black over red scheme continues on the floor mats, which have "Edition 55" stitched into them. All of these cars will come with the brand's AMG Performance wheel, which gets Alcantara inserts in addition to 'AMG' and '55' badging.

Merc has kept the black/red color scheme on the seats as well, which have two-tone red and black inserts in leather. That leather also extends to the door panels and center console, with a similar color scheme. Finally, the hand rest in the console also gets an AMG logo.

Merc told us that the package is available to order on all GLE trims, and comes with an "Edition 55" car cover. Mercedes doesn't specify how many of these will be made, but says that you can order one from now until December 2022. Pricing ranges from $6,257 to $13,765 depending on trim level.