If you think the exterior is conspicuous, wait until you see what's inside.
Carlex Design has revealed its latest creation, based on the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe. The Racing Blue special edition receives a series of sporty updates to help the coupe crossover stand out from the crowd.
The GLE Coupe can't be described as a shrinking violet, but that hasn't stopped Carlex from accentuating the conspicuous styling. The front fascia now wears a prominent carbon fiber front bumper that juts out, giving the Benz a menacing look. Carlex has also removed the three-pointed star from the grille and hood and replaced it with its own logo.
Moving along the sides of the vehicle, the first aspect that jumps out is the 22-inch wheels. It's certainly an interesting design, with retro-inspired elements harking back to wheels seen on older luxury vehicles. These custom alloys boast Carlex Design-branded floating center caps that remain upright even when the car is moving, much like on a Rolls-Royce.
To say the rear end has been overdone would be putting it mildly. Aside from the unnecessary roof spoiler, Carlex has also equipped the GLE with a trunk lip and a massive carbon fiber diffuser. This, says the tuner, improves the “aerodynamic qualities” of the bulky Benz. Overall, it's a unique-looking SUV, but the exterior has nothing on the cabin when it comes to shock factor.
The entire interior has been retrimmed in Racing Blue, a rather retina-piercing, vivid hue that is more Smurf than sophisticated. Nevertheless, we're sure Carlex's target audience will adore the unusual finish. Carlex has plenty of experience with exquisite leather finishes, so we have no doubt it will exceed even Mercedes' own standards.
Double stitching, perforation, and intricate embroidery can be found littered throughout the cabin and should make the GLE feel like a special place to be – if you can stomach the color, of course. It's a lot better than Brabus' turquoise-colored Maybach interior, though.
Carlex has retrimmed just about every surface, with the seats, dashboard, center console, steering wheel, and even door panels being upholstered in plush leather. The only place you won't find organic hide is the roof lining, which has been covered in Alcantara. This soft and grippy material cascades down the roof pillars, too. Being a sporty Racing Blue edition, Carlex has opted for dynamic carbon fiber inlays.
To finish everything off, the tuner has added its emblem on the headrests, along with a Carlex inscription on both the dashboard and front armrest.
If you're interested in the Racing Blue, be prepared to fork out €145,000 (approximately $158,000) for the privilege. For this hefty outlay, customers also receive a Certificate of Authenticity that confirms the vehicle was an official conversion from Carlex. Should you want something even more outlandish, Carlex also has rather lively styling packages for the ultra-luxury Mercedes-Maybach GLS. A more toned-down version of the GLE Coupe is also available.
Keyword: Carlex Design Gives The GLE Coupe Aggressive Looks And A Smurf-Colored Interior