2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Takes Two Steps Forward And No Steps Back

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Looks kind of bland. Nice interior, though.


2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Takes Two Steps Forward And No Steps Back

Mercedes-Benz may be speeding towards an all-electric future developing an array of new models like the EQB, EQE and EQS, but it's not ready to abandon its bread and butter fossil-fueled portfolio, including its best-selling vehicle worldwide, the GLC luxury compact crossover that is entering a new generation for the 2023MY.

It follows the recent debut of the mechanically related 2022 C-Class sedan and boasts a host of new features and refinements to go up against its chief rivals, the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Subtle but important changes combine familiar but more dynamic styling, increased cabin and luggage space, and an updated turbocharged mild-hybrid engine with more torque for the North American market.






Exterior Design That Tricks The Eyes

Despite a big update in terms of technology and features, the exterior changes to the GLC are more of an evolution rather than a revolution. The front features a larger grille, sharper headlights, and intakes that better fit the family dynamic. The body while familiar, looks lower, longer, and wider than the vehicle it replaces.

While these changes might make it seem as though the GLC is proportionally quite different from its predecessor, that's simply not the case. Where the two vehicles differ most is in terms of overall length. The new car is 2.4-inches (60.96 mm) longer than the outgoing GLC, at 185.7-inches (4,716 mm) versus 183.3 (4,655 mm). It's also 0.16 inches (4mm) lower, while the wheelbase is hair longer (+0.6-inches or +15mm) at 113.7-inches (2,888 mm). The width has remained the same at 74.4 inches (1,890mm). Finally, the track is wider by .24-inches (6.09 mm) in the front and .91-inches (23.11 mm) in the rear.

That extra length and wider rear track contribute to an increase of 2.5 cubic feet (70.7 L) worth of cargo space in the rear of the GLC. That makes for a total of 21.9 cu.ft (620.1 L). Every other key dimension is less than a single inch different from the old GLC. Those subtle nips and tucks have led to an improvement in drag though. This new GLC has a drag coefficient of .29 or two-tenths better than the previous cars .31.






Updated High-Tech Interior Design

Perhaps no facet of the GLC is as obviously improved as the interior though. A large 11.9-inch tablet-style infotainment system is front and center with another large 12.3-inch display in place of the gauge cluster. The dash and door panels follow the high-tech theme.

A two-tone grey-on-grey material spans the entire dash and integrates both screens. Buyers can choose from different finishes as well. Each door panel is full of dark trim complimented with a blend of the main interior upholstery color.

Mercedes continues its tradition of what it calls "floating" features like the seat controls along with the display screens which seem to be disconnected from the surrounding trim. Physical space in the cabin is nearly unchanged from the outgoing car. Perhaps the most important change is that front-seat passengers have .6 fewer inches (15mm) of headroom. Every other dimension is less than half an inch different in either direction.






Technology Trickling Down To The GLC

Where the new GLC will likely shine brightest is with regard to new technology. Both of the aforementioned screens are standard equipment and huge improvements over the older car. In addition, every GLC comes with heated seats, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and a fingerprint scanner that saves driver profiles are all standard features too.

Buyers who want more technology can get it. A color heads-up display is on offer as is a new technology called the "transparent hood." With it, buyers can use the central infotainment system to see a virtual view under the front of the vehicle including their wheels and the steering position. That should make for more confident off-roading as it will enable easier avoidance of obstacles. Of course, buyers will need to add the 360-degree camera system to the GLC to get the transparent hood.

Those who spring for the Pinnacle trim can even add a 720p (really?) dashcam that films and records everything that happens ahead of the vehicle including speed and time. Mercedes says that GLC customers can expect regular over-the-air (OTA) updates after purchase.






A Simple Trim And Package System

The base GLC 300 will come with rear-wheel drive and Mercedes has yet to reveal pricing. We expect it to start somewhere around $45,000. Every non-AMG GLC in the States comes with the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine featuring a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It develops 258-hp (192 kW) and 295 lb-ft (399 Nm) of torque.

The GLC 300 4MATIC adds all-wheel drive. Both vehicles use a nine-speed automatic transmission and feature a listed 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 6.2-seconds. Mercedes says that the GLC is electronically limited to just 130 MPH (209 km/h). As of this writing, Mercedes has yet to release any official data on fuel economy.

Like the rest of the Mercedes family, buyers will have the opportunity to add packages on top of these models to get the specific features they want. Mercedes itself says that it's refined its packaging logic so that features commonly ordered together in the past are now bundled together better. For instance, a brand new parking package includes both the functions of Active Park Assist with the available 360-degree camera system. The Driving Assistance package includes important safety aids like adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and traffic sign assist. Another package, Guard 360, adds full time vehicle monitoring somewhat similar to LoJack and includes tow-away protection.

While we'll have to wait to hear more about US-bound vehicles, it seems likely that the units destined for the European market will have more options for now. Additionally, expect the performance-orientated AMG models that will most likely use the same hybrid 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo powertrains announced for the junior 402 HP C43 and +500 HP C63 AMG sedans to follow for both markets in the coming months.




Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2022/06/new-2023-mercedes-benz-glc-takes-two-steps-forward-and-no-steps-back/

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2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's European Lineup Detailed, Diesel PHEV Rated Up To... 470 MPG (0.5 L/100km)

Mercedes revealed the new 2023 GLC today and it has also announced which powertrains the compact luxury SUV will be offered with in Europe and Australia. All of the available drivetrains are, to one degree or another, enhanced with electric assistance.

Mercedes-Benz will offer a range of drivetrains in Europe half of which are mild hybrids that make use of the automaker's second-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG). Three others will be plug-in hybrids.

All powertrain options are based on four-cylinder engines from the automaker's Family of Modular Engines (FAME). The ISG is then capable of adding a 22 hp (17 kW/23 PS), 147 lb-ft (200 Nm) boost to the engine.

In the GLC 200 4Matic, the engine is rated at 201 hp (150 kW/204 PS) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque, plus the boost. The GLC 220 d 4MATIC is rated at 194 hp (145 kW/197 PS) and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque, plus the additional torque boost. The GLC 300, meanwhile, is rated at 255 hp (190 kW/258 PS) and 290 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque, plus the boost.

The plug-in hybrid powertrains also have four-cylinder engines that use Mercedes' fourth-generation PHEV drive technology. The system is more compact and powerful than ever before and can move the GLC at speeds of up to 87 mph (140 km/h). A 31.2 kWh battery pack, meanwhile, means that the SUV can go up to 62 miles (100 km) on electric power alone. So far capable of delivering up to 134 hp (100 kW/136 PS) and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque in the GLC, the electric motor is a major benefit to the vehicle.

In the GLC 300 e 4MATIC, that means a system output of 308 hp (230 kW/313 PS) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. In the GLC 400 e 4MATIC it amounts to 375 hp (280 kW/381 PS) and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque; and, finally, the GLC 300 de 4MATIC is good for 328 hp (245/335 PS) and a whopping 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque.








Outlandish Fuel Economy Numbers, But It's The Battery, Stupid!

According to the European WLTP test cycle, the SUVs, in particular the plug-in hybrids, are very fuel efficient. The GLC 200 and 300 return 8.2 l/100 km in the city and 7.3 on the highway (29/32 mpg) while the GLC 220 d is a little better at 5.9 city/5.2 highway (40/45 mpg) on the WLTP driving cycle.

The plug-in hybrid GLC 300 e and 400 e, meanwhile are good for an outlandish 0.8 lt/100 km in the city and 0.6 l/100km on the highway (294/392 mpg respectively), and the diesel GLC 300 de maxes out at 0.7 l/100km in the and 0.5 l/100km on the highway (equal to 336/470 mpg). That's not a mistake, it's what Mercedes claims. However, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation that doesn't really have anything to do with the diesel engine itself as it does with the large battery that allows the SUV to travel without sipping any fossil-fuel during WLTP testing.

Even higher-power versions of the SUV from AMG are expected to follow for all markets before the end of the year, likely based around the mechanically related C43 and upcoming C63 AMG sedans.







Link: https://www.carscoops.com/2022/06/2023-mercedes-glc-only-available-as-mild-or-plug-in-hybrid-in-europe/