Hot on the heels of the GLS launch, Mercedes-Benz India have launched the all-new GLC-Class from Rs 50.7 lakh (ex-showroom).
The new GLC is the premium luxury compact SUV from the three-pointed star’s stable, sitting between the GLA and the GLE. It s essentially an off-road-ready version of the C-Class, with its name in line with the company’s new naming system. Its predecessor was, in fact, the GLK-Class – a shorter version of the GL, with the then ML sitting n between – which was offered only in left-hand-drive, sold only in certain markets.
The new GLC opens up the company’s doors to a new set of buyers on the lookout for a mid-size luxury-five seater in a segment that already has the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60. The new Mercedes GLC brings in a new badge and some nice kit too. The exterior styling is akin to the C-Class, with the LED headlamps and sharp new tail-lamp clusters lending it a very contemporary look, with a higher stance too. Inside, the COMAND Touch system is offered, as is choice upholstery and a very C-Class like interior layout. A good thing, that/
Not only is the new GLC available in right-hand-drive, it’s also on sale with a choice of petrol and diesel engines: something the segment doesn’t have at present. The GLC 220 d is the familiar 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with 170 PS and 400 Nm, and the new GLC 300 marks the début of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine in a more powerful ‘300’ guise with 245 PS and 370 Nm. Both have the new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission driving the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system as standard. India also receives the Off-Road pack as part of the standard kit, bringing three more drive modes, smarter lighting and beefier styling elements such as the running boards, while raising the ground clearance to 201 mm. The India-spec car doesn’t get air suspension but it does have powered second-row folding seats and an Easy Pack powered tail-gate too.
We’ve driven the GLC 220 d from Madikeri to Mangaluru and were happy with its easy-going nature and its comfortable cabin. We also tried out the 300 to see how much more it offered. That was a pleasant surprise indeed. You can catch our impressions from the first drive right here.
The new GLC pricing begins from Rs 50.7 lakh for the GLC 220 d 4MATIC and goes up to Rs 50.9 lakh for the GLC 300 4MATIC, both ex-showroom.
