The brand new Mercedes-Benz GLC, which will certainly look for to dismiss the second-generation BMW X3 on top of the costs brand name mid-sized Sport Utility Vehicle sales charts as well as provide competitors to the seven-year-old Audi Q5 when it takes place sale in September.
The precursor to the Mercedes-Benz GLC , the square-edged GLK, was never ever created in right-hand-drive semblance owing to troubles in packaging the driveshaft for the front axle, and also subsequently it was not marketed with official Mercedes-Benz sales channels in the UK. As a result, the German vehicle maker has actually been unrepresented in among the fastest-growing and most profitable market sections.
The arrival of the Mercedes-Benz GLC remedies this hole in Mercedes’ line-up. The smart-looking SUV is based upon the same platform as the current C-Class, but receives a 33mm-longer wheelbase than its hangout and also estate siblings. It additionally makes use of tracks that have been widened by 31mm at the front as well as 47mm at the rear over the C-Class.
Mercedes makes no secret of that the key competitor for the GLC is the X3, so it is no surprise to find that the two share similar dimensions. The new SUV is a mere 1mm much longer, 9mm broader and also 21mm lower than the BMW at 4656mm, 1890mm and 1639mm respectively.
Although it is larger than its predecessor in all vital exterior measurements, Mercedes says the GLC is 80kg lighter compared to the GLK. This has actually been attained via making use of hot-formed high-strength steel in the body structure and aluminium for the front wings, hood and roofing system. The GLC250d examined weighs 1770kg, making it 40kg much heavier compared to the X3 xDrive20d and 45kg lighter than the high-powered variation of the Q5 2.0 TDI.
Two diesel-powered models will be marketed from the beginning in the form of the ₤ 34,950 GLC220d as well as ₤ 36,105 GLC250d. They both run Mercedes’s widely used OM651-designated turbocharged 2.1-litre four-cylinder powerplant in varying states of song, the previous with 168bhp as well as 295lb ft, as well as the latter producing 201bhp and also 369lb ft.
Other left-hand-drive European markets obtain a gas powered GLC250, which utilizes a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 208bhp and also 258lb ft. Also intended to follow prior to completion of 2015 yet not planned for right-hand drive manufacturing is a petrol-electric-powered plug-in hybrid version, the GLC350e.
It incorporates a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder gas engine, developing 208bhp as well as 258lb feet, with an electric motor positioned within front part of the gearbox real estate and also making 114bhp as well as 251lb ft. All up, it supplies consolidated system outcomes of 316bhp and also 413lb ft.
There is no hands-on gearbox, at the very least during the first sales phase. Rather there is a typical nine-speed automatic gearbox on both diesel engines. It gets the most up to date in fuel-saving functions, including automated stop-start as well as brake energy recuperation.
Both the GLC220d and GLC250d get Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic 4×4 system as requirement. However, unlike the left-hand-drive designs that apportion power in a 45 % front, 55 % rear split, right-hand-drive UK models include a 33 %/ 67 % front/rear split.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC rides on a four-link front and also five-link back suspension set-up featuring flexible damping as part of a conventional Dynamic Select system that offers the vehicle driver the selection between Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus as well as Individual methods. The suspension system, which is claimed to be 5kg lighter compared to that made use of by the earlier GLK, additionally comes with optional Air Body Control back air springs.
The air springtimes feature a brand-new three-chamber style and also can be integrated with a supposed Off-Road Engineering package, which offrers 5 off-road driving methods: Slippery, Trailer, Off-road, Incline and also Rocking Assist. It also includes hillside suitable control, underbody security as well as adjustable ride elevation– the latter raising ground up allowance from a typical 227mm to 257mm as well as as much as 277mm at speeds listed below 30mph.
In high-grade diesel role as driven below, the GLC makes for a extremely preferable household auto with appropriate accommodation for approximately 5 and also a usefully large 550-litre boot (that’s 60 litres more luggage space than the C-Class Estate). Comparative, the X3 supplies the very same 550 litres of boot area, while the Q5 is hardly any less charitable with a 540-litre ability.
The positive impressions start the moment you enter the log cabin. The familiar looking dash, tools, guiding wheel, free-standing infotainment monitor, controls (including the rotating wheel in between the front seats) as well as trim applications are all shown the most up to date C-Class. Although there are some difficult plastic surface areas, overall material top quality is rather rich and also better compared to that of any direct rival.
The driving position is sound, with increased seats affording good visibility all round. The front seats are rather standard in the squab, yet the much more contoured backrests offer excellent levels of lateral assistance. The back seats divided 40/20/40, with 2 full sized external placements and also a narrower main seat that’s partly endangered for legroom by the main tunnel. Large doorway pockets, a lidded bin and also consume owners in the front area of the centre console supply plenty of oddment storage.
With 201bhp at 3800rpm and also 369lb feet from just 1600rpm, the GLC250d’s longitudinally installed engine confirms to be both punchy and flexible. It is additionally impressively hushed for a diesel, with little chatter noticeable in the log cabin at low to middling revs. Mercedes asserts a combined gas intake number of 56.5 mpg, defeating both the X3 xDrive20d (54.3 mpg) and the high-powered version of the Q5 2.0 TDI (53.3 mpg). With a standard 50-litre gas container, this points to a academic array of over 600 miles.
The fitment of a conventional nine-speed automatic gearbox, which uses a column-mounted stalk rather than a much more standard centre-mounted lever, gives the basis for solid standing beginning and also in-gear velocity, owing to the extensive spread of ratios available. Mercedes asserts a 0-62mph time of 8.3 sec as well as a 131mph full blast. The changes are rather smooth as well as competent in Comfort method, although it is occasionally recalcitrant on downchanges in Sport Plus mode.
The new gearbox really beams on the freeway, with a 9th equipment ratio of 0.60:1 working in combination with a last drive of 3.07:1 to provide tranquil and relaxing navigating top qualities. The declared 56.5 mpg may be difficult to match in real-world conditions, but for a car weighting near 1800kg it proves incredibly reliable at consistent motorway rates.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC comes close to matching the X3 for sheer speed. There is constantly adequate traction out of slower corners to allow you making full use of the strong low-end twist. The steady differing of drive to the front as well as back axles, in addition to exceptional physical body control as well as direct abilities from the electro-mechanical steering system, supplies the GLC with pleasingly neutral cornering qualities regardless of a small 227mm ground allowance in combo with the optional air springtimes suited to our test vehicle.
On winding roads, understeer is efficiently reduced, permitting you to accumulate a bargain of momentum before the front end eventually runs vast as well as the stability control steps in, making the brand-new Mercedes more interesting and delightful to string down a winding B-road than practically any other mid-sized SUV.
With the air springs matched at the back, the Mercedes-Benz GLC likewise rides with aplomb. It provides impressive compliance at speed out on the open road, with reduced degrees of tyre holler. If there is a damage in its armour, it relates to its capability to handle transverse ridges, which tend to send out a shudder through the framework, specifically at lower rates.
Mercedes knows that few potential GLC customers will seek real off-road capacity. Nevertheless, this has actually not hindered the car maker from giving its new SUV with outstanding ability in the filth. With strategy and departure angles of 30.8 deg as well as 24.8 deg specifically, along with a breakover angle of 19.7 deg as well as tipping angle of 35deg in combination with the optional Off-Road Engineering package deal, it goes areas couple of competitors, conserve perhaps for the new Land Rover Discovery, are likely to take you.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Specs
- Location Germany
- On sale September
- Price ₤ 36,105
- Engine 4 cyls, 2143cc, turbodiesel
- Power 201bhp at 3800rpm
- Torque 369lb ft at 1600rpm
- Gearbox 9-spd automatic
- Kerb weight 1770kg
- 0-62mph 8.3 sec
- Top speed 131mph
- Economy 56.5 mpg ( integrated)
- CO2/tax band 129g/km, 23 %.