BERLIN: The GLC is to Mercedes what the Golf is to VW and the F-150 is to Ford: There's no car that sells better for the brand.
But the German SUV has fallen behind the times somewhat. The upmarket manufacturer wants to change this with a new generation of this posh SUV — albeit with an eyebrow-raising price.
Launching in Europe in the third quarter, the new GLC is set to cost upwards of €57,632 (RM259,000), Mercedes has announced. That makes the SUV a solid 10% more expensive than its predecessor.
The announcement comes as manufacturers have been shifting more resources to the luxury car segment where profit margins are higher, while entry-level cars are giving way amid supply chain problems.
Manufacturers across Europe have meanwhile been increasingly looking for ways to charge more, according to market research showing that car buyers should prepare themselves for higher prices in 2022 and beyond.
But, for its part, Mercedes argues that the GLC's new price gets you significantly more car (even quite literally).
The GLC is not only better equipped than before (case in point: a standard electric tailgate), but you also get a more visually streamlined city off-roader with more space.
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Roads and parking spaces may be staying the same size, but this SUV is growing again, and the GLC has added 6 cm in length and an extra wheelbase of around 2 cm. This should provide even more space for the passengers in the back and a luggage compartment that is 10% larger with a volume of 600 litres.
In addition, there is a completely digitalised cockpit with a flat screen behind the steering wheel and a touchscreen that literally rises up out of the centre console.
In addition to the MBUX infotainment system, the car also has a new high-tech assistance system that uses built-in cameras to let the driver see through the bonnet onto the road when driving off-road or manoeuvring.
Technically, the GLC is again closely related to the C-Class, using its rear-axle steering, for example. However, some of the engines are different.
The GLC urban off-roader, something of an automotive paradox, has been selling like hot cakes for the company as a kind of inflated cousin of the C-Class.
The GLC starts with a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 150 kW/204 hp or 190 kW/258 hp and a 2.0-litre diesel engine with 143 KW/197 hp or 195 kW/265 hp. Later - unlike in the C-Class - a six-cylinder diesel is to follow. This will have a capacity of 3 litres and produce more than 220 kW/300 hp, project manager Peter Kolb announced.
According to the manufacturer, all combustion engines are electrified with a 48-volt system and are supported by a 17 kW/23 hp electric motor.
For the 219 to 240kph starting engine versions, Mercedes promises consumption figures of 7.3 litres of petrol or 5.2 litres of diesel. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 167 or 136 g/km.
To bridge the gap to the electric future, the GLC is also available again as a plug-in hybrid - this time with more choices and more range.
According to Mercedes, two petrol engines and a diesel engine are being paired with a 100 kW/136 hp electric motor and a battery of around 32 kWh. This should enable the GLC to reach up to 140kph and cover more than 100km on electric power.
