MERCEDES-BENZ

MB GLC 2023: arrives more luxurious and electrified

The best-selling model of the German brand in the last two years changes generation and promises to continue following this path. Compared to its predecessor, the new Mercedes-Benz GLC is bigger and more spacious, and can offer even more luxurious equipment. The curious point is that it will only be on sale with electrified 4-cylinder engines.

With a length of 4,720 mm, the German model is six centimeters longer than its predecessor, while the width remains at 1,890 mm. For its part, the wheelbase grows by 15 mm, up to 2,890 mm, a fact that should benefit habitability.

Thanks to the larger rear overhang, the trunk has a capacity of 600 liters, 50 more than before, and the coefficient of aerodynamic drag (Cx) goes from 0.31 to 0.29, which is not bad.

Visually there are no surprises. The C Class's aesthetic heritages are evident and it looks a little more rounded than before. Behind you can see a light strip inspired by the electric SUVs of the house.

The sporty Avantgarde exterior package is standard equipment. It includes moldings that surround the tailpipes and 18-inch wheels as standard, among other elements. The electric tailgate also comes standard. Optionally are the AMG Line package and another off-road package, with protections on the underside and on the body.

As mentioned before, the mechanical part is all carried out by electrified 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter engines. Initially, there will be three 48-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) engines and another three plug-in hybrids (PHEV), two gasoline and one turbodiesel. Whichever option you choose, the 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission with torque converter and 4MATIC all-wheel drive are standard.

The PHEV versions will have a 136 hp electric motor and a 31.2 kWh battery, a component that should provide an emission-free range of between 104 and 120 kilometers. The 11 kW charger will be standard and, as an option, there will be another 60.

As for the chassis, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC increases its track width (4 mm at the front and 23 at the rear) and will have three types of suspension: the standard suspension, the AMG sports one and adaptive pneumatics. The latter is always associated with the steered rear axle, with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees. On plug-in hybrids, air springs on the rear axle are standard.

The aforementioned off-road package increases the ground clearance by 20 mm. In addition, the car offers hill descent control, a 360-degree camera and a transparent hood, that is, a virtual view of the underside of the vehicle on the central screen. It serves to see big rocks or deep holes in the track.

In addition, the car offers a lot of practical off-road information, such as the turning angle of the wheels, the inclination, the compass, the geographical coordinates...

As expected, the interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 202e is inherited from the C Class, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and an 11.9-inch central display as standard. Knee, shoulder, elbow and headroom at the rear discreetly increase by one to two millimeters each.

Of course, we also have to talk about the MBUX multimedia system, which includes navigation with augmented reality function, an improved voice assistant and the new Newsflash function, where the car can read up to two minutes of news from your favorite news portals.

In addition to the usual C Class driving assistance systems, the GLC 2023 has a tow route planner. Among other things, the width and height of the passage are considered. 

The extended trailer maneuver assistant (optional) automatically adjusts the turning angle of the towing vehicle up to a speed of 5 km/h and an incline of up to 15%.

The new GLC will roll off production lines in Bremen, Sindelfingen and Beijing. Mercedes-Benz has not yet announced the date of arrival on the markets or prices.

Autonews