Fleet World Workshop Tools
Car Tax Calculator
CO2 Calculator
Van Tax Calculator
BiK Rates Company Car Tax

Mercedes unveils new GLC

By / 9 years ago / Latest News / 1 Comment

The new GLC paves the way for Mercedes in the lucrative medium SUV market. By Danny Cobbs.The replacement to the GLK, which was never sold in right-hand drive, is based on the C-Class platform and is substantially larger than its predecessor, bringing increased interior space. It also offers extra luggage capacity, with 580 litres available, rising to 1,600 litres with the rear seats down.

Practical touches include the ability to lower the load compartment sill by 40mm to facilitate loading thanks to the Air Body Control option while the Hands-Free Access system enables the tailgate to be opened automatically by performing a swiping movement with the foot under the bumper.

Despite its larger dimensions and longer wheelbase, the vehicle’s weight has been cut by 80kg. The major contributor to this is the completely new body, which uses aluminium and high to ultra-high-strength steel, and is 50kg lighter than the smaller GLK.

Engine line-up sees two diesel models available in the form of the GLC 220 d 4MATIC and GLC 250 d 4MATIC, both with official combined fuel consumption of 56mpg and CO2 of 129g/km whilst offering 168bhp and 201bhp respectively. Both models feature 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive and the nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

The new line-up will also be joined by the GLC 350 e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid, which comprises a 208bhp petrol engine with an 114bhp electric motor and a seven-speed automatic gearbox. This model emits 60g/km and offers a top speed of 146mph. It can also cover up to 21 miles in zero-emission all-electric mode and accelerate to 62mph in 5.9 seconds, courtesy of the boost function.

The new GLC features the Agility Control suspension with steel springs and a variable damping system as standard. It also offers the option of a full-support multi-chamber air suspension system and electronically controlled, continuously adjustable damping.

The new model also comes with the Dynamic Select handling control system with five driving programmes as standard. In addition to the Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual settings seen on other models, the new model can also be equipped with the Off-Road Engineering package.

Technology features include the touchpad in the handrest, which can be used for finger gestures, the range debut of Head-up Display (HUD) as well as Mercedes’ Intelligent Drive driver assistance systems. 

For more of the latest industry news, click here.

Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.