Mercedes GLC will launch in India in H2 2016 - Report

21/06/2015 - 13:18 | ,   | Aravind Jayachandran

Launch re-confirmed by Eberhard Kern, Mercedes-Benz India’s MD & CEO.

The Mercedes GLC is the successor of the aging GLK that was unveiled by Mercedes-Benz on June 17. It features a new design, fuel-efficient power lineup, and is developed for the right hand drive markets. This opens up the possibility of a launch in India to bridge the large gap between the Mercedes GLA and the soon-to-be-launched Mercedes GLE (M-Class successor).

2016 Mercedes GLC front quarter (1) unveiled press images
The GLC is the perfect product to bridge the gap between the GLA and GLE, thinks MB India's CEO Eberhard Kern.

When IAB asked Mr. Eberhard Kern in early 2013 about the possibility of launching the successor to the GLK, he confirmed that it will be developed for right-hand-drive markets and would launch in India.

At the launch of the Mercedes S-Guard, Mr. Kern re-confirmed that the GLC will launch in India as a right-hand-drive model. He said -

If you see the SUV lineup of Mercedes Benz, it starts from the G Wagen, GL, ML and then the GLA. Between the ML and GLA, there's quite a gap where the GLC would fit perfectly. Yes, I can confirm that the right-hand-drive version of GLC will come to India.

2016 Mercedes GLC rear quarter (1) unveiled press images
A less expensive variant with a RWD system will be added to the GLC lineup next year.

For international markets, the GLC is available with a range of 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Variants include an 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. All three variants come standard with a 9G-TRONIC automatic and (at launch) the 4MATIC AWD system.

Reports have suggested that a less-expensive RWD variant of the GLC will be added to the global lineup next year, which could also be added to the Indian portfolio as a base variant. Mercedes will offer the AIR BODY CONTROL (their term for air suspension) as optional equipment.

2016 Mercedes GLC standard front quarter unveiled press images
Expect the GLC to be Mercedes India's next big ticket product, which could join the company's localization portfolio.

In a country where the preference for an SUV is high, the prospect of a mid-size Audi Q5-rivalling SUV with the 3-pointed Star is likely to garner attention among prospective customers. Expect the GLC to join the company's localization portfolio for competitive pricing, following a CBU launch.

Also See: Mercedes GLC Coupe – IAB Rendering

The GLC is not part of the 15 product launches that Mercedes has in the pipeline for 2015, as a report from Overdrive narrows its launch down to the second half of 2016.

[Source - Overdrive.in]

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