Hot Wheels: Mercedes-Benz GLE450 SUV

from St. Pete Life May/June 2022

SPL Scene: Out and About in St. Pete

Mercedes-Benz GLE450 SUV is in a Class of Its Own

BENZ GLE450

Tires: 275/45ZR21 front, 315/40ZR21 rear Wheelbase: 117.9 inches Length: 194.3 inches Height: 70.7 inches Width: 84.9 inches Weight: 4,991 pounds Fuel capacity: 22.5 gallons City: 20 mpg Highway: 25 mpg Base price: $63,500 Price as tested: $81,405 Web site: www.mbusa.com

BY NITISH S. RELE

Some may recall the M Class. That was pre-2015. Thereafter, Mercedes-Benz retitled the popular midsize luxury GLE fi tting it between the smaller GLC and the bigger GLS. Regardless of the nomenclature, the 2022 Benz GLE450 is a wonderful blend of power and sophistication that off ers spice and entertainment both on and off -road.

Under the hood of the fi ve-seater 4Matic (all-wheel drive) SUV is ensconced a 3.0-liter inline-6 turbo engine putting out 369 horsepower @ 6100 rpm and 369 pounds-feet of torque @ 4000 rpm. It integrates an EQ starter-generator (located between engine and transmission) to save fuel as well as enhance torque. Essentially, what would be called a hybrid electric motor at work, too.

This is no speedster but 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds and top speed of 130 mph is no small feat! Power reaches all four wheels via a meaty, crispy and accurate 9-speed auto gearbox. The independent double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension with soil springs works well to absorb unpleasant bumps and sudden turns on the road. Handling and steering feel were good overall, thanks to the electro-mechanical rackand-pinion. Tow capacity for the steel unibody structure is commendable at 7,700 pounds.

Up front, the face is instantly recognizable as a Benz, highlighted by a two-slot diamond black AMG grille (optional) with the familiar three-pointed star emblem. Power domes on the bulging hood meet up with horizontal LED headlights to convey an attractive stance. Space is ample in both rows and the dashboard and center console is complemented by alluring wood and lush weather to give the SUV a classy ambiance. A touchpad controls the audio, nav and phone infotainment on the massive 12.3-inch screen, also similar in size to the digital instrument cluster. A personal infotainment system, or the all-new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), works through voice, touch and even hand gestures (just say, Hey Mercedes!). It can’t get any more intuitive and personal for new Benz owners.

Other creature comforts include dual auto a/c, power/tilt slide moon roof, 10-way power front heated seats, 40/20/40 fold rear seat and copious aluminum accents.

Safety is priority in any Benz and begins with dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, electronic stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, active parking/brake and lane keep assists, blind spot monitor, Presafe, forward-collision and lane departure warnings, rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

Packed with tech- and infotain-laden features, the GLE450 delivers performance and style that’s matchless for the money. You will be hard-pressed to fi nd a midsize luxury SUV that will pay heed to your command (Hey Mercedes!) as you experience the exceptional ride.

Nitish S. Rele, editor/publisher of Motoring Tampa Bay and Khaas Baat, is a former automotive editor/columnist for The Tampa Tribune. He can be reached at motoringtampabay@gmail.com

St. Petians can now score freshly baked loaves of Cuban bread and pastries at La

Segunda Bakery

& Café, 2436 4th Street N. The family owned and operated bakery opened in March. It fi rst opened in 1915 in Ybor City, expanding in 2018 with a second location on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa.

The St. Pete location off ers many of the same menu items as its Tampa locations, including made-to-order Cuban sandwiches, salads, guava and cheese turnovers, Italian cookies, fl an and other favorites. And, yes, La Segunda brews Ybor-based Naviera brand coff ee.

With a St. Pete Pier location a resounding success after opening in July 2020, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille owners have announced the opening of a second location on Bay Pines Boulevard. Fort Myersbased HM Restaurant Group purchased the waterfront property formerly occupied by Green Iguana but vacant for nearly a decade. The expansive new location is expected to have more than 300 seats; an opening date has not been fi nalized. House of Vegano, a plant-based sushi bar, has been getting rave reviews since opening March 21 inside of The Body Electric Athletic Co. at 655 31st Street S. in the Warehouse Arts District. Vegan sushi might sound strange, but owner/chef Thalia Tatham is not new to the game — she’s been researching and serving creative vegan cuisine across Tampa Bay for several years as a vendor at pop-ups and festivals.

How does she do it? She substitutes veggies that have been marinated and spiced to attain similar taste and texture to seafood. For example, the Spicy Krab Roll ($18) uses king oyster mushrooms to fi ll in for the crab. The short menu relies on a half dozen rolls that are also gluten-free, but Tatham plans to expand the menu. Most patrons order to-go, but the cute café with a large mural of Frida Kahlo holding a sushi roll between two chopsticks has comfortable bar seating and a few tables. Grab a seat and be sure to order a Beech kombucha, made right next door.

“We just redid our flooring from existing tile and carpet to a beautiful luxury vinyl tile. Shona understood the look I wanted and found the perfect flooring for my decor. The installers were awesome. Just an overall great experience. ~ Kim O.

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The Museum of Fine Arts recently opened Café Clementine, an artisanal bakery and café, after being café-less for nearly two years due to the pandemic. Café Clementine serves pastries and seasonal salads and lunch dishes, with a focus on organic or locally produced ingredients. It’s managed by husband and wife duo Vince and Paulina Gervasi, and is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm with indoor and outdoor seating. You’ll feel like you’re stepping into a black and white animation cartoon when you enter 2D Café, at 2105 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. The European style café, taking over the former spot of swahrey bakery, often has a queue out the door since opening in early April (it already has more than 4,200 followers on Instagram). The big “draw” is the two-dimensional immersive art painted by local artist Chad Mize.

The 2-D craze took off in Japan several years ago and is spreading to cities around the world. Mize spent a month and a half covering the inside of the café from fl oor to ceiling with the 2-D illustrations. Owners Maria Kyriakidou and Andrea Pawliz and general manager Alex Campbell helped with the linework.

The bistro style menu serves coff ee, wine, European pastries and light lunch items. Hours are WednesdaySunday, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.