Shares mechanicals with the new C-Class; AMG and Coupe versions will follow.
The Mercedes GLC will receive its world premiere on June 17. The new car will reach European showrooms from September 12 onwards, with the public preview to be held at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show the same month.
Daimler has released what it considers as a teaser with mere "GLC" lettering, which replaces the “GLK” moniker from the second-generation of the luxury crossover, as a part of Mercedes-Benz's new nomenclature system. The ‘C’ in the “GLC” points that the car is related to the C-Class, sharing the new rear wheel drive (MRA) architecture that uses high-tensile steel and aluminium body, engine and gearboxes, and interiors.
As per the latest spy pictures, the new GLC looks athletic with a design philosophy familiar from the C-Class and the S-Class. The interiors are found to be lifted directly from the new C-Class with mild cosmetic differences. It is expected to be powered by 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, a V6 petrol, and a 4-cylinder petrol hybrid all from the C-Class. The most powerful version of the GLC-Class will be the GLC 63 AMG, with its 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo motor, that is scheduled to come out next year.
Mercedes has also revealed a coupe version from the GLC-Class in the form of GLC Coupe concept at the Auto Shanghai 2015 last month. The concept was rendered as a “near-production-standard study”, and will go in to production only around 2017.
Unlike the GLK Class, the GLC is developed for right-hand drive markets as well, opening up prospects for India, with a launch expected in the first half of 2016. The new GLC takes on familiar rivals in the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5 and the new Land Rover Discovery Sport.
