This Mercedes GLC is the 300 4MATIC and its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine packs 258 hp and 400 Nm with the nine-speed automatic sending drive to all four wheels. That is a significant change from the old GLC 200 which 197 hp and 320 Nm and was rear-wheel drive. Another thing, this one gets the latest-spec EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system with a 17-kW integrated motor sandwiched between the engine and the 9G-Tronic gearbox. This serves up a boost of 23 hp and 200 Nm that helps reduce fuel consumption by managing coasting, urgent acceleration and auto start-stop duties, taking the load off the combustion engine. The nine-speed automatic is fluent through the gears in all modes and drives the rear-biased 4MATIC intelligent all-wheel drive system. The additional punch is good enough for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h. Of course, there’s more.
Where the earlier Mercedes GLC felt rather soft (the Benz 200, not the AMG 43 or 63 S) even in Sport+, this new model has been tuned just right. The ride quality is supple and vastly improved too, plus it feels more sure-footed and connected to the surface. Even the steering has better feel and doesn’t come off as overly light. The responses have been sharpened, even with the additional 20 millimetres of ride height. This GLC 300 offers some new “Dynamic Select” drive programs: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual and Offroad.
The new “Offroad” mode requires a confirmation tap to engage and does a lot more than fancy up the displays. The traction control is relaxed yet alert and any hint of slip is promptly countered. The screen shows everything from a compass to side-slope angle and grade as well as tyre pressure and temperature. Furthermore, the GLC also brings the “Transparent Bonnet” feature which, working at up to eight km/h, displays a see-through bonnet on the screen with the terrain below visible by means of a rendered feed from the cameras based on the terrain already crossed. This helps tackle obstacles when exploring new areas.
Overall, after experiencing no roads, city roads and the lovely open Karnataka highways, there is no doubt the new Mercedes GLC has raised its game. And it had to have. Because in an arena that has the sharp and exciting BMW X3, not to mention the Porsche Macan, as well as the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Lexus NX, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Jaguar F-Pace, the choices are plentiful and have varying areas of focus for all-round capability with a particular focus on some essential traits. But this GLC surely seems like a real star; and not just in the making.
Need to Know – Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC
Price: Rs 73.50 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,999 cc, in-line four, turbo-petrol, direct-injection, 48-volt mild-hybrid
Max Power: 258 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Max Torque: 400 Nm @ 2,000-3,200 rpm
ISG Assist: 17 kW (23 hp), 200 Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed, automatic, all-wheel drive
Suspension: Four-link front, five-link rear
Weight: 1,870 kg
Mercedes Diesel Power (and Torque)
Mercedes-Benz India will also bring in a diesel-powered offering, the GLC 220 d 4MATIC. This one, too, will offer mild-hybrid tech and a slew of powertrains. While this one will be introduced shortly, there is also reason to believe that a more potent GLC 300 d 4MATIC (with either 265 or 269 hp and 550 Nm) may also be in the pipeline.
Need to Know – Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d 4MATIC
Price: Rs 74.50 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1,993 cc, in-line four, turbo-diesel, direct-injection, 48-volt mild-hybrid
Max Power: 197 hp @ 3,600 rpm
Max Torque: 440 Nm @ 1,800-2,800 rpm
ISG Assist: 17 kW (23 hp), 200 Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed, automatic, all-wheel drive
Suspension: Four-link front, five-link rear
Weight: 1,940 kg
