To make public debut at 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Mercedes has finally unveiled the long awaited successor to the GLK, christened as the Mercedes GLC. It is part of Mercedes' "Year of the SUV" campaign, and joins other new products like the GLE, GLE Coupe and the upcoming GLS.
As seen before, the Mercedes GLC follows familiar design language that also influences its current range of products. Exterior features include a twin-slat chrome grille flanked by LED headlamps with LED DRLs, large air inlets in the lower fascia, alloy rims of up to 20 inches size, a strong character line across the side profile, wrap-around horizontal taillamps, a roof spoiler and a dual exhaust system.
Customers can choose between an off-road centric package, where the bumpers have a larger angle of approach/departure, and a sportier AMG Sport package.
Inside, the GLC’s interior design mirrors that of the smaller C-Class sedan. Highlights include the Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment software running on a free-standing display with a Touchpad, gloss wood trim for the center console housing the buttons and three silver HVAC vents, a choice of two 3-spoke steering designs, ARTICO leather upholstery, and a Head Up display.
Also offered as optional equipment is a Panoramic sunroof that contributes to the airy feeling of the cabin. For rear passengers, the legroom is 57 mm more spacious than the GLK.
The boot space behind the rear bench seats has increased between 80 to 110 litres, totaling up to 580 litres. In all, with the seats down, the GLC is able to carry up to 1,600 litres of luggage - 50 litres more than the GLK.
Being based on the MRA rear-wheel drive platform, it also borrows the engine lineup from the C-Class. At launch, the GLC will offer a range of 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with varying outputs. Variants include and entry level GLC 220 d that delivers 170 hp and 400 Nm of torque, a GLC 250 d with 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque, a GLC 250 petrol wit 211 hp and 350 Nm peak torque, and range-topping GLC 350 e plug-in hybrid delivering a total output of 327 hp (211+116 hp).
While the conventional models are fitted with a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, the hybrid GLC 350 e gets the older 7G-TRONIC Plus from the C-Class. It will be equipped with a 4MATIC AWD system as standard at launch.
Another feature Mercedes is proud of is the optional AIR BODY CONTROL. The GLC is the only model in its segment to be equipped with a full-support multi-chamber air suspension, which offers the best of both worlds, in terms of on-road and off-road comfort. It provides an extra 15 mm or 50 mm ground clearance, which can prove to be beneficial when traversing across a rocky terrain. Its characteristics can be altered via the on-board DYNAMIC SELECT handling control system with five driving programs.
European sales of the GLC are expected to begin after its reveal at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. An Indian launch has been confirmed, since the GLC is also developed for right-hand-drive markets. It could prove to be a big-ticket product for Mercedes, and for that, it will have to be part of the company's localization portfolio for competitive pricing.
[Head to Youtube if you cant see the video above.]
2016 Mercedes GLC unveiled - Press Release
[Can’t see the press release? Head over to Slideshare]
