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The new second-generation Mercedes GLC receives a fully electrified range and a completely revised interior. The family will consist of three 48 V mild-hybrids and three plug-in hybrids providing an all-electric range of more than 100 km.
Although Mercedes has mainly communicated lately around its new electric vehicles, the thermal GLC remains a major issue for the manufacturer since it is a bestseller with 2.6 million vehicles sold worldwide.
To continue to benefit from this success story, Mercedes is unveiling its second-generation GLC with the new MRA2 platform shared with the C-Class.
Restyling
The front end adopts the brand’s latest design language with refined headlights that blend into the grille, a chrome surround and a sporty apron on the AMG-Line trim.
In profile, the design of the GLC presents new, more dynamic lines, while a body-coloured wheel arch cover is available for the first time, accommodating wheels from 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The rear design hardly changes.
At 4716mm in length, the new GLC is 60mm longer than the old model, but 4mm lower. The front and rear tracks have been widened by 6mm and 23mm respectively, but the body of the new model is no wider than that of its predecessor. The extra length comes from the rear overhang – a decision Mercedes says improves practicality with a 50l larger boot than before, or 600l with the rear seats in place. All versions are fitted as standard with an electric tailgate.
A high-tech dashboard
Inside, the GLC adopts a cabin inspired by the C-Class. The aging interior of the old model has been brought up to date thanks to a dashboard incorporating a large curved center console. An 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen and a series of tactile, driver-facing switches are also present.
A fingerprint scanner, allowing different drivers to log into their own personalized MBUX profile, makes an appearance. The MBUX touch screen is also compatible with software updates over the air. Mercedes announces that options will be unlockable a posteriori in the Mercedes Me Store app.
Ahead of the driver is a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, which can be supplemented with an optional head-up display. Other infotainment new features include Newsflash, which extends the functionality of the Mercedes Me voice assistant to include personalized news bulletins from a selection of sources, which can be read aloud by the assistant on request.
New PHEV offer and more than 100 km in all-electric
All versions of the new GLC come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes’ 4MATIC four-wheel drive system. The engines are all electrified 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinders. Petrol and diesel models with 48V support are joined by an offer of three plug-in hybrids. No AMG version is confirmed yet.
The Mild Hybrid gasoline range begins with the GLC 200 4MATIC which develops 204 hp and 320 Nm. The GLC 300 4MATIC announces 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The diesel range includes the 220 d 4MATIC model which develops 197 hp and 440 Nm. The consumption of the latter is announced for 5.2 l per 100 km against 7.3 l/100 km for the other two.
These three variations of the GLC all come with a second-generation version of Mercedes’ 48V mild-hybrid technology, but the level of electric assistance remains minor. Driving on electric power alone is not possible, but the system allows the engine to coast at constant speed and benefit from an electric boost of up to 23 hp, which helps reduce the load on the engine under heavy acceleration.
However, it is the new plug-in hybrid technology that advances the engine offer of this new GLC. Two petrol models are joined by a plug-in diesel option. All use the same 31.2kWh battery, as well as an electric motor developing 134bhp and 440Nm of torque. Mercedes says each model can travel more than 100km all-electric.
The GLC 300 e 4MATIC uses the same 2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the GLC 200. Combined with the electric motor, the maximum power is 313 hp and 550 Nm. The PHEV GLC 400 e 4MATIC, on the other hand, develops 381 hp and 650 Nm and can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 s. The new GLC 300 from 4MATIC continues the tradition of diesel plug-in hybrids and remains a special case in current car production. The 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine is paired with the same battery and motor technology as its petrol counterparts for a combined output of 335hp and 750Nm.
At the moment, prices have not yet been announced by the automaker.