As indicated by the mentioned teaser clip, the GLC, visually, takes after the bigger GLE and X-class in that it receives a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with optional Multibeam bulbs, a tweaked bonnet, wheel sizes ranging from 19 to 20-inches, full LED taillights, a redesigned rear bumper, reshaped exhaust outlets and the optional AMG Line styling pack.
More extensive than its exterior, the GLC’s interior mirrors those of the A-class and GLE, with the inclusion of Benz’s 10.25-inch MBUX infotainment system with gesture control and the Hey Mercedes voice control function, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can be had as an option, a new steering wheel, wider touchpad for the infotainment setup and a selection of upgraded materials finishes ranging from piano lacquer to wood.
Fitted once again as standard with the Dynamic Select drive mode selector that comes with five modes; Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual with an additional option being the Off-Road Engineering Package that adds two modes of its own, Off-Road and Off-Road+, the GLC now comes with the three mode (Comfort, Sport and Sport+) Dynamic Body Control system for the first time, while the 4Matic all-wheel drive system has been re-developed from scratch.
On the safety front, Benz has equipped with the GLC with the optional Driving Assistance Pack that comes with tech such as Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steer Assist, Active Brake Assist with Turn-off and Cross Traffic, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Braking Assist, Active Parking Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Pre-Safe Plus.
Matters have also changed underneath the bonnet where the M274 turbocharged petrol engine and the OM651 turbodiesel have been replaced by the newer M264 and OM654 units, the former now boosted by the 48-volt EQ Boost electric motor for a mild-hybrid setup.
Despite the change in motivation, all of the motors displace 2.0-litres with the petrol options making 145kW/280Nm in the GLC 200 and 190kW/370Nm in the case of the GLC 300. On the oil-burning front, the GLC 200d has outputs of 120kW/360Nm, while the GLC 220d up this to 143kW/400Nm. Completing the range, the GLC 300d outputs 180kW/500Nm. Regardless of engine, all GLC’s feature the 4Matic system as well as the 9G Tronic automatic gearbox.
No local launch date has yet been confirmed, but chances are that the GLC will likely touch down towards the end of the year.
