The new Mercedes-Benz GLC is even more dynamic, powerful and sustainable. The new GLC is immediately recognisable as a member of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family. Standard equipment includes the AVANTGARDE Exterior Line with Chrome package and 18-inch light-alloy wheels. This adds striking design features and enhances the unique proportions of the vehicle. It is available only as a hybrid: either as a plug-in hybrid or as a mild hybrid with 48-volt technology and an integrated starter-generator. The plug-in hybrids offer a range of more than 100 kilometres (WLTP). The GLC thus sets new standards in the all-wheel drive SUV segment. Systematic electrification of the GLC, the company’s best-selling model series, makes a significant contribution to reducing the CO2 balance over the entire lifecycle. The new GLC is on the way to climate-neutral mobility, which is the goal of “Ambition 2039”. The technical highlights of the GLC also include special equipment such as DIGITAL LIGHT, rear-axle steering and new assistance systems. Its pronounced off-road suitability is underlined by features such as electric off-road driving in the plug-in hybrids, or the “transparent bonnet”. The GLC will be in the showrooms of our western European sales partners from autumn 2022.
One of the defining design highlights of the Mercedes-Benz GLC is the redesigned front end, with headlamps that connect directly to the radiator grille to emphasise the vehicle’s width. DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps with additional daytime driving light ellipses and new blue trim, plus active floor lighting, are available as optional extras. The typical Mercedes SUV radiator grille with redesigned cut-out has a chrome surround. This frames a sporty louvre in matt grey with chrome trim and the grille with vertical louvres in high-gloss black. From the AMG Line upwards, a radiator grille with Mercedes-Benz pattern is available: a three-dimensional star pattern with high-gloss chrome surfaces. The new simulated underguard in chrome at the front emphasises the vehicle’s width and accentuates the off-road look. Other features of the sporty, confident appearance are the wide track and flush wheels in 18- to 20-inch size. Several of the wheels available ex factory not only feature a modern design with a high-sheen finish and bicolour surfaces, but are also aerodynamically optimised. The body design is characterised by a full, spanned surface design enriched with precisely shaped edges in the sides. These emphasise the proportions as well as the muscular wheel arches, and also create a balance between elegance and off-road performance. Wheel arch liners in the vehicle colour are available from the AMG Line upwards for the first time. These accentuate the sportiness of the AMG Line. Also available as an optional extra are easy-entry running boards and the Night package.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC is available only as a hybrid: either as a plug-in hybrid or as a mild hybrid with 48-volt technology and an integrated starter-generator. The engine range has four-cylinder units from the current FAME (Family of Modular Engines) Mercedes-Benz engine family. Accordingly, the engine range plays a major role in the flexibility of the international production network, with needs-based electrification. The power spectrum of the four-cylinder engines ranges up to 190 kW and 400 Nm of torque in the petrol models, and up to 195 kW and 550 Nm in the diesel models, each plus up to 17 kW and 200 Nm of electrical support from the ISG.Systematic electrification means: all the drive systems available for the GLC are hybrids, Four of these are mild-hybrid units, which receive intelligent support in the low rpm range with an integrated second-generation starter-generator (ISG) in conjunction with a 48-volt electrical system. Three further engine variants are plug-in hybrids, including an all-electric driving mode and a range of more than 100 kilometres. The integrated starter-generator with the petrol and diesel engines provides intelligent support in the low rpm range. In combination with turbocharging, this ensures excellent power delivery. The system includes the 48-volt electrical system, which enables functions such as “gliding”, boost or recuperation and thus significant fuel savings.
In addition, the engines start very quickly and comfortably with the help of the ISG so that the start-stop function is almost imperceptible to the driver, as is the transition from “gliding” with the engine stationary to powerful propulsion with engine power. When idling, the intelligent interaction between the ISG and the combustion engine ensures outstandingly smooth running. The 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission is standard equipment in all GLC models. This has been developed further for ISG adaptation: the electric motor and the power electronics are accommodated in the transmission housing, and thermal management of both components is carried out via the transmission cooling system. Previously necessary lines are therefore no longer required, which offers advantages in terms of installation space and weight. Moreover, the gearbox has a higher efficiency. Among other things, optimised interaction with the electric auxiliary oil pump reduces the delivery volume of the mechanical pump by 30 per cent compared to its predecessor – good for efficiency. Furthermore, it uses a new generation of the fully integrated transmission control with multicore processor and new design and connectivity technology. In addition to the increased computing power, the number of electrical interfaces has been drastically reduced.
The OM 654 M with integrated second-generation starter-generator and 48-volt onboard power supply is at the forefront of efficient drive technology. Recuperation and the possibility to “glide” with the engine switched off further increase efficiency. Apart from electrification including an electric refrigerant compressor for the air conditioning system, these are the most important changes for the output of up to 198 kW plus a boost of 17 kW by the ISG: stroke of 94.3 millimetres and displacement of 1993 cc (previously: 92.3 and 1,950) thanks to new crankshaft, 2,700 bar injection pressure (previously 2,500), particularly fast response and smooth power delivery thanks to two water-cooled turbochargers, now both with variable turbine geometry, cooling channel filled with sodium in the steel piston for effective reduction of temperature peaks in the piston crown.
These are the exhaust aftertreatment components for the diesel:
A close-coupled NOx storage catalytic converter to reduce nitrogen oxides.
A diesel particulate filter (DPF) with special coating, also to reduce the nitrogen oxides.
A near-engine mounted SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalytic converter with metered injection of AdBlue®).
An additional SCR catalytic converter in the vehicle’s underbody, with a separately metered injected quantity of AdBlue®
After the C-Class, the new GLC is the second Mercedes-Benz model series to receive the four-cylinder M 254 petrol engine with integrated second-generation starter-generator (ISG). The ISG provides up to 17 kW of additional power and 200 Nm more torque, can recuperate higher electrical outputs than a belt-driven starter generator, shifts the load point of the combustion engine and allows hybrid functions such as “gliding” with the engine switched off, boosting and recuperation. This makes the petrol engines very efficient. In the M 254, Mercedes-Benz has also combined all the innovations of the modular engine family of four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines in a single unit. They include NANOSLIDE® cylinder coating, CONICSHAPE® cylinder honing (trumpet honing) and the exhaust aftertreatment system positioned directly at the engine. All the engines are characterised by superior power delivery, smooth running and excellent noise comfort. The segmented dual-flow turbocharger has been completely redeveloped as a further development of the twin-scroll technology for an even more spontaneous response. This turbocharger is the result of collaboration between Mercedes-Benz turbocharger development and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team. The technology transfer to series production sets new standards in terms of performance combined with maximum efficiency.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC also receives the fourth-generation plug-in hybrid drive in three power levels. Using the identical basic engines, electrification has taken another big step. With an electric drive power of up to 280 kW (381 hp) and an all-electric range of more than 100 kilometres (WLTP), the plug-in hybrid models of the GLC will in many cases and on many days be on the road purely electrically, without the use of the combustion engine. Whether with one of the two petrol engines or the diesel: as plug-ins, they are not only very efficient but also extremely dynamic on the road. The plug-in models come with AIRMATIC air suspension including level control at the rear axle as standard. The high power density of the hybrid drive unit comes courtesy of a permanently excited internal rotor synchronous motor. The 440 Nm peak torque of the electric motor is ready to go right from the start, resulting in high agility when moving off, along with dynamic driving performance. The full electric power is available up to 140 km/h. The new high-voltage system is more compact and more powerful. The number of high-voltage interfaces is significantly reduced. Integration of the power electronics into the transmission housing reduces the required installation space and simplifies assembly processes in production. In addition, a higher system voltage increases the drive power without the need for larger cable cross-sections.
Welcome to the modern, sporty luxury of Mercedes-Benz: this is the message the interior of the new GLC with the AVANTGARDE Line already sends out in its standard configuration. It continues the familiar, successful concept, adopting highlights and developing them further with its own keynotes. There is a free-standing, high-resolution LCD screen in front of the driver. It appears to float in front of the wing profile and trim area. This sets the driver’s display apart from traditional cockpits with classic dial instruments. It has a size of 12.3 inches (31.2 centimetres). The dashboard is clearly structured: the upper section has a wing-like profile with new, flattened round nozzles reminiscent of the engine nacelles of an aircraft. The lower section has a generous trim area that flows harmoniously into the curved centre console. Its orientation towards the driver contributes to sportiness: the dashboard is slightly angled towards the driver by six degrees. A high-quality chrome insert divides the centre console into a rear, softly padded area for the armrest and a front area in glossy deep black. The central display rises seamlessly and seemingly without joints from this three-dimensional surface. It appears to float above the trim area.
