2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC revealed, Australia confirmed

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 2023 was unveiled overnight, before first arriving at Australian showrooms in the first half of next year.

The second-generation GLC, which replaces what used to be Australia’s most popular luxury SUV, brings exterior style, interior design, technology and engines from the latest C-Class sedan to Mercedes-Benz’s preferred body style choices.

Prices for Australia have yet to be confirmed, but the $ 12,000 to $ 15,000 price increase applied to the new C-Class suggests that the new GLC will cost slightly more than its predecessor, currently costing $ 78,114 plus road costs for the base GLC200 . .

The Australian model line has yet to be confirmed, although the current car’s GLC200 and GLC300 petrol variants are expected to be retained, with the door open for one of Europe’s petrol plug-in hybrid variants, now designated GLC300e and GLC400e. Diesel was axed in 2019.

The new GLC has been following its C-Class sibling to phase out six- and eight-cylinder engines in favor of a range of all four-cylinder engines – including the AMG models, which will follow a plug-in hybrid from next year. tech and up to 500kW.

The technological advantages of the new model include dual interior screens inspired by the S-Class sedan, optional rear wheel steering, Digital Light matrix headlights, optional air suspension and many advanced steering assistants.

For everything you need to know about the news Mercedes-Benz GLC 2023browse the simple subheadings below.

Not surprisingly, the new Mercedes-Benz GLC adapts the styling elements of the C-Class sedan to the SUV body – with a more aerodynamic GLC “Cupe” that is said to follow again.

LED headlights are standard equipment, with the latest Mercedes-Benz “Digital Light” units available on request, which use 1.3 million micro-mirrors to project warning symbols or navigation instructions on the road at night.

Light alloy wheels with a diameter of 18 to 20 inches are available, which contribute to an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.29 Cd, to which the wheel spoilers, chassis trim and grille blinds contribute.

The AMG Line styling package is optional – with an optional night dimming package and standard body-colored wheel arch trim – along with scrolling animations for the taillights and electrically operated footrests.

The new GLC borrows a lot from the C-Class (and larger S-Class), with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display in front of the driver and an 11.9-inch center touchscreen running on the latest Mercedes MBUX infotainment system.

The system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless, augmented reality satellite navigation, wireless updates, fingerprint reader, online music streaming, “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant and the ability to connect remotely to smart home devices. .

Other technical advantages of the interior include a color head-up display, charging of a cordless phone with a panoramic sunroof, 64-color ambient lighting, various “energizing” air quality and “wellness” modes and either a nine-speaker, 225-watt unbranded or 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester surround sound system.

The front seats – upholstered in leather-like material – can be equipped with heating and a driver’s massage function that combines heated seats for the rear seat passengers. Various leather, wood or aluminum surfaces are available for key touch points.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLC measures 4716 mm in length, 1890 mm in width and 1640 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2888 mm – 60 mm longer overall, 4 mm lower and 15 mm longer in the wheelbase than the outgoing model, although not wider. . The track width increased at the front and rear.

But despite the larger body, the headroom at the front is lower by 16 mm and from a 15 mm wheelbase increase, only 2 mm is projected into the larger legroom in the rear seats. The luggage compartment has been increased by 50 liters to 600 liters due to larger overhangs.

Practicality is aided by a 40:20:40 folding rear seat with individually adjustable backrest inclination plus an optional electrically operated tailgate blind and electrically operated tailgate.

The new GLC will be launched in Europe with a choice of six powertrains: two petrol engines, one diesel and three plug-in hybrids (PHEV) split between petrol and diesel engines.

The Australian line has yet to be confirmed, however, most sales are expected to go to the GLC200 and GLC300, both based on 2.0-liter supercharged four-cylinder engines with a nine-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and 48V. mild-hybrid systems.

Power is rated at 150 kW / 320 Nm for GLC200 and 190 kW / 400 Nm for GLC300 – another 17 kW / 200 Nm is available for a short time via a 48V system – good for 7.8 and 6.2 seconds 0-100 km / h fuel consumption is between 8.2 and 7.3 liters per 100 kilometers.

Of the three PHEVs, it is one of two petrol stations that is most likely to reach Australia – the GLC300e or GLC400e – with 2.0-liter turbo engines and 31.2kWh batteries that offer up to 120 km of range.

The GLC300e combines a GLC200 engine with a 100kW electric motor for 230kW / 550Nm together, while the GLC400e combines a 185kW / 400Nm turbo engine with the same e-engine to produce 280kW and 650Nm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes only 5.6 seconds.

The 60kW DC public fast charger can charge a 31.2kWh battery to full capacity in approximately 30 minutes, there is also an 11kW three-phase AC home charging.

PHEV driving modes include Hybrid (which combines engine and electric motor for maximum efficiency), Electric (full EV at speeds up to 140 km / h) and Battery Hold (which maintains battery charge for later use). Up to 100 kW regenerative braking is available.

European buyers may also opt for the 145 kW / 440 Nm mild-hybrid diesel GLC220d or the 245 kW / 750 Nm plug-in hybrid diesel – but are not expected to be offered in Australia.

Under the skin, the new Mercedes-Benz GLC shares its bones with the latest C-Class, with four-link front and multi-link independent rear suspension with coil springs as standard.

Adaptive air suspension can be optional (or fitted as standard on the PHEV) – unlike the C-Class – while rear-wheel steering with up to 4.5 degrees of rotation is available as part of the Engineering Package, which reduces the turning diameter by 90 cm per 10.9 meters.

For off-road customers, the standard off-road mode, downhill control and off-road screen – showing incline, tilt, altitude, compass and more – can be expanded with the optional Off-road Engineering package. clear height of 20 mm.

The 360-degree camera integrates the “transparent hood” function, which uses the front camera to show stones or potholes in front of the vehicle that would normally be covered by the car body.

The towing capacity of the petrol models is up to 2,400 kg, thanks to an optional towing device and the trailer maneuvering assistant function, which makes it easier to reverse with a caravan or horse box.

The advanced safety systems available in the new GLC include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistant (at speeds up to 210 km / h) – with lane centering on motorways and “significantly increased accessibility and cornering performance” on rural roads. .

The traffic sign recognition system now supports road or ceiling traffic signs with vehicle sensor analysis, as well as speed limits that only apply in “wet conditions”. Automatic parking is also available.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 2023 series is set to appear in Australian showrooms in the first half of 2023. It is later rumored that a sleeker “coupe” body will follow – along with the powerful AMG 43 and 63 models.

Prices and specifications will be announced shortly before launch, but if the related C-Class sedan is a guide, expect to pay a decent amount in excess of $ 78,114 plus road costs for the current GLC200.