Mercedes outs GLC Coupe pricing

MERCEDES-BENZ’S new GLC Coupe is now on sale in Australia from $77,100 before on-road costs, representing a $12,600 premium over the GLC wagon.

The most affordable of the three GLC Coupes is also $6285 dearer than the entry version of arch rival BMW’s X4.

The slope-backed GLC Coupe range aligns with the more conventionally-styled GLC launched late last year, starting with the GLC 220d Coupe diesel, instead of an entry-level petrol that the BMW X4 range opens with.

Customers wanting a diesel-powered X4 have to jump up to the second most affordable version, the $74,900 xDrive20d, which is closer to the cheapest Mercedes equivalent.

In the middle of the GLC Coupe range, Mercedes offers the only petrol powertrain of the line-up in the GLC 250 Coupe at $80,100 – $12,200 more than the equivalent GLC, while the top of the range GLC 250d Coupe weighs in at $82,100 – another $12,200 increase over the GLC.

By contrast, BMW’s X4 ‘coupe’ carries a $9500 premium over its X3 SUV wagon equivalent.

The introduction of a coupe version of the mid-sized SUV is a direct attempt by Mercedes to steal some of the action from BMW in the niche segment, in the same way as it mimicked BMW’s X6 with the GLE Coupe.

“The GLC Coupé reflects our iconic Mercedes-Benz coupé design while symbolising the bipolarity of our brand – it is 'hot and cool',” said Daimler AG head of design Gorden Wagener.

“With its design idiom of sensual purity, it perfectly embodies our styling philosophy while at the same time representing contemporary luxury.”

Unlike the GLC that has to be optioned up to sportier styling tweaks, the GLC Coupe is fitted out with the AMG Line pack as standard. This includes 20-inch wheels, diamond pattern grille, a number of body upgrades and Dynamic Body Control suspension for more driver-focused handling.

The steel-spring set-up can be upgraded to the optional Air Body Control air suspension.

The Coupe also gets Garmin Map Pilot navigation, 360-degree camera, Intelligent Light System LED headlights and unpolished black-ash interior trim as standard.

Above the entry-level 220d, both 250 variants get leather upholstery in place of synthetic hide, Keyless-Go, power tailgate and the Driver Assistance Plus pack.

Drivelines and engines are identical to the GLC range with all three sending power to the ground via the company’s 4Matic all-paw drivetrain and a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission with five drive modes and paddle shifters.

Instead of the new high-tech 2.0-litre diesel introduced in the new E-Class, the entry-level GLC 220d Coupe gets the older 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel producing 125kW and 400Nm of torque.

For the GLC 250d, Mercedes opens the taps on the same basic 2.1-litre engine layout, boosting power to 150kW, while torque rises to a meaty 500Nm.

The GLC 250 Coupe is also a four-cylinder turbo, this time with a displacement of 2.0-litres and running on petrol, for a peak output of 155kW and 350Nm.

Like the GLC, the Coupe line-up is expected to gain an ‘AMG-light’ Mercedes-AMG GLC43 variant, as well as the fire-breathing AMG GLC63 at a later date.

Safety gets a good mention in the Coupe range with nine airbags, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning and assistance, pedestrian-protective active bonnet and a 360-degree camera with parking sensors.

Customers ordering their GLC Coupe today can expect to see it on their driveway in November this year.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe pricing*

220d (a)	$77,100
250	$80,100
250d (a)	$82,100

*Excludes on-road costs