Starting off as the Mercedes-Benz GLK, the GLC has now become one of the best-selling cars for the company. With the new generation of the GLC, Mercedes aims to continue its successful run. The GLC will come to the US in two versions – GLC 300 and GLC 300 4Matic. However, there will be more versions coming soon.
At the front, the GLC sports a new design and slimmer headlights. The headlights also feature a unique LED DRL signature. The AMG Line models will also get a three-dimensional star pattern grille. At the rear, it is all new. The taillights are much slimmer than the old ones and go with the different greenhouse design. Wheel designs are also new, and the sizes range from 18-inch to 20-inch. All the design changes Mercedes-Benz did to the GLC give it a much more athletic look than before.
The new GLC is larger than the model it replaces. The overall length of the car is now 185.7-inch, up by 2.4 inches. The wheelbase also sees an increase of 0.6 inches. The increase in wheelbase will increase the interior room slightly. However, the car is shorter by 0.1 inches, which is almost negligible. The width of the car is identical to the older one. However, the front and rear tracks have grown by 0.3 and 1.9 inches. The larger dimensions also result in larger cargo space.
Though the GLC has grown in size, it is much more aerodynamic. Mercedes claims the drag coefficient of the GLC has gone down from 0.31 to 0.29. To achieve this, the company tweaked a number of things. These include changes to the wheels, wheel spoilers, underbody panels, roof spoiler and more. Mercedes-Benz made these changes while keeping the GLC’s comfort, quietness and efficiency in mind.
The interiors are a big departure from the older car. The new GLC adopts the portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment display, like the C- and S-Class. Accompanying the 11.9-inch central screen is the new 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The infotainment system also runs on the second-generation MBUX. The new GLC will also come standard with a host of additional features. These include features such as wireless charging and heated front seats.
The design of the dashboard and doors see a change and brings it in line with the current lineup from the brand. The company also studied buyers’ behaviour and made changes to the equipment packages accordingly. The safety features include Mercedes-Benz’s Driving Assistance Package as standard. The improved Active Distance Assist Distronic can now react to speeds up to 60mph, up from 30mph.
Mercedes-Benz offers only one petrol engine in the US with either RWD or its 4Matic AWD system. The engine is an M254 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol. Assisting it is 48V mild-hybrid technology. It also features the brand’s second-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG). The GLC 300 produces a peak power of 258 HP and 400 Nm of torque. Additionally, the ISG can provide a boost of 23 HP and 200 Nm of torque.
Both the RWD GLC300 and AWD GLC 300 4Matic use a 9-speed torque converter automatic. The company will also offer 4.5 degrees of rear-wheel steering in other markets. The GLC 300 and GLC 300 4Matic accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 6.2 seconds.
A plug-in hybrid version and high-performance AMG versions will launch sometime next year.
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