Driving Mercedes-Benz’ Bold & Dynamic New GLC
Coming soon to the U.S., we drive Mercedes’ new GLC in Cape Town.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa trotted us around the Cape Peninsula in its GLC to introduce us to its brand-new SUV earlier in the week. They tell us that it’s the most dynamic model in its luxury lifestyle SUV family. Let’s look at the new truck that’s also imminently due in the US.
The New GLC codename X254 may look a lot like the old one, but it’s actually a classy evolution and a far purer design. The headlamps connect across the grille to emphasize its width. Avantgarde models get a regular grille, while the AMG Line has a Mercedes star pattern.
‘Sensually Pure Design Exudes Intelligence’
At a slippery 0.29Cd drag coefficient, the New GLC’s wide track and flush 18 to 20-inch wheels contribute to a sensually pure design that exudes intelligence and emotion in a modern, luxury hallmark, according to Mercedes design boss Gorden Wagener. The only grudge I have is that abnormally long gap between front wheel and the front of the front door. Makes the nose look too long.
2,3 inches longer and a tad lower, but the just as wide as before, new GLC also rides on slightly wider front and an inch broader rear tracks and a longer wheelbase. with longer front and rear overhangs too. That brings more interior room, and a 15 percent bigger boot shut by an Easy-Pack auto tailgate.
Like its styling, the New GLC has a similarly classy and pure cabin. The wing-like dash bears aircraft-like squashed round ducts and a significant 11.9-inch high-resolution My-Mercedes LCD cartainment screen. A 12.3-inch instrumentation screen appears to float seamlessly behind Merc’s latest spec multifunction steering wheel amid innovative, brown-toned open-pored and black wood veneers with real aluminum LED ambient lit inlays. Smartphone integration and wireless charging is standard.
New GLC has a Similarly Classy and Pure Cabin
It’s sturdier too, and interior build quality has also improved, while decent rear leg room and improved boot space are both welcome in this neck of the woods. Customers can individually configure their New GLC. Options include an Energizing package Plus to control interior ambience and air quality, and an uninterrupted new optional panoramic sunroof and roller blind.
One thing the New GLC has, is loads of tech. Pity that’s let down by those horrid touch buttons that carmakers seem to have embraced after lab tests without any forethought or consideration how they actually work in the real world. They don’t and these aspects are ruining so many great cars these days. Sadly, GLC is now another to fall into that category.
Also, an abundance of tech is great, but it can become overwhelming in some cases. For example, the augmented reality in the navigation system is cool to have. But it actually gives guidance too late which, makes it less effective than simple lines on a map.
Rear, and All-Wheel Drive Models for the US
Diving under the skin, the new GLC 300 will come to the US with a 255 HP 295 lb.-ft 2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. Both models get Mercedes’ 9G-tronic 9-speed automatic transmission housing that 17 kW 200 Nm 48-volt hybrid kit. It will come in two models, the $47,100 rear drive GLC 300, or the all-wheel drive GLC 300 4Matic.
Local claims have the GLC 300 4MATIC at 6.1 seconds to get to 60 mph and a 150 mph top end, while sipping 30.5 mpg. We also drove two diesel models, a base model GLC 220 d, and the sublime 265 HP 405 lb.-ft 300 d that the US sadly will not get.
The integrated starter-generator enables gliding, boost or recuperation functions that operate almost invisibly as it intelligently interacts with the combustion engine to ensure smoothest transitions between the two.
Smart Hybrid, New Suspension Systems
A new four-link front, and multi-link independent rear suspension brings amplitude-dependent selective damping with speed-dependent, electro-mechanical direct rack-and-pinion steering. Topped by a sporty set-up in AMG Line models, suspension is mounted in subframes to ensure best ride and noise comfort, without compromising dynamics.
An optional Engineering package adds Airmatic air suspension with level control and rear-axle steering. Braking is courtesy of vented discs and an electric parking brake. A more intuitive latest generation Driving Assistance package Plus adds Active Steering and Distance Assist Distronic. Optional Digital Light headlamps ensure excellent nighttime visibility without dazzling other road users.
GLC also gains better dirt manners thanks to a new off-road driving mode with downhill speed regulation and a transparent bonnet assistant in the central display. The optional Engineering package also adds a high ground clearance off-road mode.
New GLC spearheads Next Benz SUV Generation
“The New GLC spearheads our next generation luxury lifestyle SUV range to continue that success story into the future,” Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director Mark Raine concludes. “2.6 million happy GLC customers can’t be wrong about one of the most sought-after cars in our portfolio. New GLC’s combination of dynamics, latest in technology, digitalization, design, and luxury appeal promises to thrill adventurers and families alike.”
Our brief time with New GLC was enough to show its great ride quality off. It is comfortable, yet still provides good feedback from the road. Like we found in the C class this car shared much of it heart with, the brakes are a bit spongey.
All that said, dynamic, bold, and luxurious, the New Mercedes GLC brings new levels of digitalization to an efficient and sporty package to deliver a welcome shot of excitement and novelty to a hugely popular Mercedes-Benz sport ute. It will find market success, that much we will put money on. – Giordano Lupini