With the arrival of the remarkably large GLB, the Mercedes-Benz GLC finds itself in a somewhat dire position within the Mercedes range. Under pressure from his brother, the successor to that car is therefore growing rapidly. Of course, that is not the only news about the model.
Those who offer many models run the risk that they will cannibalize each other to a greater or lesser extent. After all, with a completely boarded-up range, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish the models from each other. Mercedes seems to experience that like no other with the GLB and GLC. The long rear roofline and almost vertical butt of the GLB suggest what the figures confirm: this car is exceptionally spacious – more spacious even than the larger and more expensive GLC. For example, depending on the position of the rear seat backrest, it offers 15 to 200 (!) Liters more luggage space, while an optional third row of seats can only provide two additional seats for the GLB. This means that the second smallest SUV in the Mercedes range is not immediately a competitor for cars such as the BMW X3 or Volvo XC60, but it may ensure that some of the GLC customers are tempted by the wider and cheaper alternative. The latter is a risk, but of course Mercedes-Benz has taken it into account.
Order on business
The current GLC appeared in 2015, so that the period in which the GLB and this generation GLC stand side by side in the showrooms is limited. The facelift version presented in early 2019 should stretch the life of the GLC for several more years, but a successor is expected to be proposed in 2021. Espionage images clearly show that the car is growing considerably in length compared to its predecessor. That should in any case put things in order in terms of luggage space, although it is not said that the GLC will also have a third row of seats. At the competition, only the Land Rover Discovery Sport gets such an extra bench, with other brands the option only exists for larger models. In terms of appearance, the new GLC is clearly distinguishable from the current generation due to its stretched body and more imposing appearance. At the same time, the design language is not completely overhauled. The well-known rounded Mercedes style is largely retained, but is interpreted differently.
More harmonious
For example, the grille seems to grow a bit and the headlights placed in V-arrangement creep a bit more towards those of the A-class. The rear light part takes an example from that of the GLE. At the rear, the housing of the license plate, at least with the regular GLC, remains part of the tailgate. In addition to the usual SUV, a GLC Coupé will of course also appear, because such a version with a sloping roofline has long proven itself as a good way to attract more customers to the showroom. Due to the longer body, it could just be that the sportier variant will soon be more harmoniously lined than the current ‘flattened GLC’, which is already more graceful than the larger GLE Coupé.
Electrification, but not electric
Under the skin, Mercedes uses a further developed version of the modular MRA platform, just like with the new C-class. Add to this the fact that Mercedes already has the equally large EQC for all-electric variants, and it is clear that no revolutions are to be expected in the area of ​​the powertrain. Nevertheless, electrification also plays a major role in the GLC. Mild hybrid systems are an indispensable part of the Mercedes line-up, while the GLC has recently become a plug-in hybrid. The new one expands the range in this area even further, because thanks to the increasingly strict CO2 requirements, there is really no escape.