New GLC is aimed at Hugo Boss set
IT WAS no whimsical confluence of synergies that saw Mercedes-Benz launch its new GLC “cross-over” SUV at Metzingen, a village some 40 minutes’ drive from Stuttgart.
The world premier itself took place at the stylish chrome-andglass global headquarters of the Hugo Boss designer-clothing company, and it is quite clear that “young and upwardly fashion-conscious” is the strategy for this new car, which replaces the previous GLK in Merc’s ever-expanding product offensive.
Indeed, speaking on stage to some 400 invitees from all over the world, Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Management Board at Daimler AG, made many cross references to the synergies between his company’s new design language and high-fashion apparel: “Just like the pockets of most designer suits these days are home to a smartphone, the GLC is also packed full of the latest technology,” said Dr Zetsche.
And he was backed up by his head of R&D, Dr Thomas Weber, who pointed out that the new GLC is the first SUV in this segment to offer a plug-in hybrid – the new GLC 350 e – and the first to offer air suspension in this class too.
Whilst Dr Weber alluded to a full-on AMG 63 version that is on the horizon, at launch the new GLC that goes on sale in Europe in September will come in four versions – GLC 220 d with 125kW, a GLC 250 d 4 with 150kW, a GLC 250 petrol with 155kW and a GLC 350 e plug-in hybrid with a total of 240 kW at its disposal. Pricing specifics are yet to be announced, but Dr Zetsche revealed that the base model will start at 44 500 Euros, a rand equivalent at current exchange rates of around R618 000.
Pricey, yes, but the company is betting that this new car will build significantly on the 650 000 sales racked up by the GLK, which the GLC replaces as Merc’s mid-sized SUV to compete against rivals like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. As an aside here, the new nomenclature in the Mercedes-Benz range is aligned to synergies between different model lines.
In other words, the SUV equivalent of the A-Class is the GLA, the new GLE (which replaces the Mclass) is aligned to the E-Class sedan in terms of sizing, while the new GLC is C-Class-related.
The GLC has a comparatively long wheelbase at 2 873 mm, which lends the vehicle an elegant profile. Its roof section is almost coupé-like to some eyes, and once again Mercedes stylists have accentuated broad shoulders and a wide axle stance, and snappy but subtle styling lines that tend to fade into curvatures. Just like a solid but stylish citizen would appear in the latest Hugo Boss suit ad.
The interior continues the flowing lines initiated by the S-Class and C-Class, with hand-craft character hinted at by the use of nappa leather and open-pore wood trim, harkening back to a slightly earlier era in car design.
Again there is a touch-pad hovering over rotary push-button to activate the multitude of technologies and indicated on the media display above the centre console. Not only does the interior look good, but it is roomier than before, while the boot in “seat-up” form displaces 580 litres, expanding to 1 320-1 600 litres with seats folded flat.
All GLC models come with the full-time 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, and in standard form steel suspension is employed. But this comes standard with variable damping, known as Agility Control, which offers various driving modes ranging from comfortable to sporty. Another factor that should aid the new GLC is that it has shed some 80kg compared to its GLK predecessor.
There will also be a so-called Off-Road Engineering package offered, although whether this comes to South Africa remains to be seen.
An interesting aspect of this specification is that, apart from offering increased ride-height, it also offers an automatic “rocking” mode that can assist in freeing the vehicle should it become lodged between – errm – a rock and a slippery place.
In the case of the first three models listed, transmission is via the excellent 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox, while the range-topping 350 e hybrid employs a 7G-Tronic ‘box.
With right-hand-drive models produced from launch time, expect the new GLC to arrive in South Africa in the fourth quarter of this year, probably following hard on the heels of the exciting new GLE Coupé we reported on last week.