Facelifted Mercedes GLC checks in for duty

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia/Pacific (MBAP) has confirmed the discontinuation of diesel variants of its GLC mid-size SUV, with pricing and specification for the facelifted model released ahead of a staggered launch that will be headlined by the addition of a plug-in hybrid version.

The oil-burning GLC250d and GLC350d variants have made way for the petrol-electric GLE300e, which is due in showrooms in the second quarter of next year. It is priced from $80,400 plus on-road costs.

Like the all-wheel-drive GLE300e, the rear-wheel-drive GLC200 is only available in traditional wagon form. It remains the entry-level offering but is $3800 dearer than before, at $66,100.

Available in wagon and sloped-back coupe guises, the AWD GLC300 supersedes the GLC250 and gets price rises to match, checking in from $77,700 (+$6340) and $87,700 (+$5660) respectively.

A pair of performance-focused AMG models are on offer from December, with the GLC43 available in $109,900 (+$6470) wagon and $117,400 (+$6510) coupe forms, while the GLC63 S is the only member of the mid-size SUV’s family to get a price cut, now costing $161,000 (-$4035) as a wagon and $168,100 (-$3940) as a coupe.

The GLC300e combines a 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with a 90kW/440Nm electric motor for maximum combined outputs of 235kW of power and 700Nm of torque.

Thanks to its 13.5kWh lithium-ion battery that can be recharged in two hours using a wallbox, the GLC300e has a zero-tailpipe-emissions driving range up to 43 kilometres on the WLTP test, contributing to its claimed fuel consumption of 2.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

The GLE200 and GLE300 are motivated by the same new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which is more potent than its predecessor. It is tuned to produce 145kW/320Nm (+10kW/20Nm) and 190kW/370Nm (+35kW/20Nm) respectively. Both variants are mated to a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

In keeping with its performance bent, the GLC43 features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that produces 287kW/520Nm (+17kW), while the GLC63 S further ups the ante with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that punches out the same 375kW/700Nm as before. Both are AWD.

While the GLC43 uses an upgraded version of the transmission that does service in the GLC200 and GLC300, the GLC63 stands out with its nine-speed dual-clutch automatic unit.

Standard equipment in the GLC200 includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a hands-free power-operated tailgate, keyless start, a 10.25-inch touchscreen MBUX infotainment system with always-on natural voice control, satellite navigation with live traffic, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, DAB+ digital radio, a digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, Artico leather-accented upholstery, Black Ash open-pore wood trim and ambient lighting.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking, passive blind-spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross-traffic alert, park assist, surround-view cameras and traffic sign recognition, plus nine airbags.

The GLC300 adds 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, wireless smartphone charging, lane-keep assist, active BSM, adaptive cruise control and high-beam assist, while its coupe variant also picks up adaptive dampers and an AMG Line package (20-inch alloy wheels, body kit, flat-bottom steering wheel, pedals, floor mats and tyre pressure monitoring).

While the GLC300e mirrors the specification level of the GLC300 wagon, it also gains air suspension as well as the necessary hardware and cables for recharging.

Compared to the GLC300, the GLC43 picks up AMG Ride Control+ suspension, speed-AMG sensitive steering, AMG brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, black exterior trim, a glass sunroof, a windshield-projected head-up display, a Burmester sound system, heated front seats with memory functionality, leather upholstery and illuminated ‘AMG’ front scuff plates.

The GLC63 S also adds an AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system with fully variable torque distribution, a rear electronic limited-slip differential, active engine mounts, an AMG Performance bi-modal exhaust system, 21-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, an AMG Performance sports steering wheel and Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery.

Additionally, the GLC43 and GLC63 S feature unique exterior styling, headlined by AMG’s signature Panamericana grille.

Sales of the GLC wagon have improved this year, with 4069 examples sold to the end of August – a 5.2 per cent increase over the 3868 deliveries made during the same period in 2018. Its coupe sibling, however, has not fared as well, recording a 3.8 per cent decrease, to 661 units.

Nonetheless, with both models combined, MBAP has the largest share in the $60,000-plus mid-size-SUV segment, at 22.1 per cent, edging out the BMW X3 and X4 (19.9%).