Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the new GLC premium compact SUV, ready to muscle back market share from the likes of the recently facelifted BMW X3 and Audi Q5.
The range for the Mercedes-Benz GLC is now completely electrified, with the petrol-powered variants comprising of two mild hybrids and two plug-in hybrid options.
The mild hybrid options now start from the GLC200 4Matic, which gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder pushing out 201bhp and 320Nm of torque. This output will see the car completing the century sprint in just 7.8 seconds.
The GLC300 4Matic meanwhile, will deliver 256bhp and 400Nm of torque, allowing it to accomplish the same sprint in just 6.2 seconds. Both these variants get an additional 23bhp from an integrated 48V starter motor.
Petrol-drinking plug-in hybrid options for the Mercedes-Benz GLC meanwhile, include the GLC300e 4Matic, which gets a total system output 308bhp. The GLC400e 4Matic meanwhile, will offer a total system output of 375bhp. Both these plug-in hybrid models will deliver a 120km all-electric range.
And ensuing all this power is put onto the road in a controlled manner in this GLC is a new four-link suspension at the front paired with a multi-link independent rear suspension mounted to a subframe.
Stability at speed and low-speed manoeuvrability can also be enhanced with the available Engineering package, which will equip the GLC with air suspension and rear-axle steering. Air suspension further comes as standard for all plug-in hybrid variants.
Those that will want to take their car off-road however, will want to opt for Offroad Engineering package, which increases ground clearance by 20mm and adds underride guard at the front and underbody protection.
Standard equipment to aid all GLCs here also include Downhill Speed Regulation, and a dedicated off-road driving mode, which will display car information including inclination, gradient, topographical altitude, geo-coordinates and a compass on the driver's display.
A 360-degree camera with a 'transparent bonnet' will also allow drivers to see obstacles such as large stones when driving off the beaten path.
On the design front, the changes to the new Mercedes-Benz GLC ensure that it remains instantly recognisable.
Up front, there's a new grille, now sporting a chrome surround and a sporty louvre in matt grey with chrome trim as part of the standard Avantgarde trim (the grey car in the photos above). Reshaped head lights also now meet this new grille. And at the back, the taillights of the Mercedes-Benz GLC have been redesigned into slimmer items, joined together by a trim element across the width of the tailgate.
In the cabin, the Mercedes-Benz GLC now sports a horizontal infotainment screen as with the rest of the firm's latest models. The unit in the GLC is an 11.9-inch item, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that appears to float freely before the driver.
Luggage capacity for the GLC now stands at 620 litres, a 70-litre improvement over the preceding model.
