The new Mercedes-Benz GLC
Articulate and unmistakably diverse
Freedom in its most beautiful form– that is what the GLC has stood for since its launch in autumn 2015. Like its predecessors, the SUV combines outstanding on and off-road driving characteristics with spaciousness, practicality and comfort. In addition, the latest generation adds further advanced pioneering technologies, the distinctive design, connectivity and state-of-the-art infotainment. Thus, the GLC once more demonstrates how elegantly and effortlessly hallmark brand safety and intelligent adaptability can be combined to great success. The result is an SUV that sets new standards, on the road as well as in terrain.
With its distinctive appearance, the new operating concept, innovative driving assistance systems and a new range of engines, the GLC offers the best from the world of Mercedes-Benz. The exterior design captivates with the wide and sporty visual appearance. Muscularly sculpted surfaces and distinctive details such as the chrome elements, which now run from the front to the rear end as standard, the redesigned headlamps and the heavily contoured radiator grille ensure a strong off-road character. The interior combines luxury and user-friendliness in an uncompromising way: The workmanship is at the usual high level and the infotainment system has larger touchscreen multimedia displays. In addition, the latest generation of the MBUX - Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system impresses with intuitive and versatile operating options such as touch, gesture control and the optimized voice control system. The driving assistance systems were considerably expanded and complemented with the exit warning function, the emergency corridor function and the tail end of a traffic jam function, among others. Also new is Trailer Manoeuvring Assist, which provides assistance with manoeuvring in reverse in particular. For the market launch in mid-2019, the GLC will be equipped with new petrol and diesel engines of the latest engine family from Mercedes-Benz with more output and greater efficiency – more engines will follow later in the year.
The most important advancements of the GLC
MBUX - Innovative telematics: The combination of the touchscreen multimedia displays, navigation with augmented reality, intelligent voice control via the talk button or the Hey Mercedes prompt, connectivity and the user interface now brings the GLC also in line with the latest technological standards.
Drive system: The GLC will be equipped with the next generation of four-cylinder gas and diesel engines with increased output at significantly lower fuel consumption – on the gas engines thanks to the new 48-volt on-board electrical system with belt-driven starter-generator.
Advanced assistance systems: Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steer Assist provide even more comfortable support to help the driver to keep a safe distance and steer. The speed is adjusted automatically ahead of bends or junctions. Active Steer Assist helps with forming an emergency corridor and with changing lanes. The risk of potential collisions can be reduced by the turn-off function of Active Brake Assist by braking if the driver fails to see oncoming traffic.
Exterior design: distinctive appearance
Modernity, strength and versatility: that is what the design of the GLC embodies. The design idiom of the GLC follows the design philosophy of sensual purity and illustrates the carefully considered interplay of aesthetics, agility and intelligence. The appearance is sportier overall, the chrome elements now run from the front to the rear end as standard. The distinctive lines, muscularly sculpted surfaces and distinctive details ensure a strong off-road character. The front end gives the impression of emotion, presence and dominance at the very first glance. This design message is made particularly memorable by the standard-fit LED High-Performance headlamps with the torch-design daytime running lights, as well as by the heavily contoured radiator grille with the dynamically shaped double louvres and the diamond lattice. The available paint colours now include graphite grey – with four flush aerodynamic wheels with diameters ranging from 17 to 19 inches and tires with optimized rolling resistance being another new addition.
The AMG Line impressively emphasizes the dynamic appearance of the GLC – with the chromed diamond grille and the front apron with AMG-specific design as well as with angular exhaust tips integrated into the bumper. In addition to sport seats with high side bolsters, this design and equipment line also includes the optimal mixed-size tyres from 19 to 20 inches in diameter (depending on the market).
The standard-fit LED High-Performance headlamps are smaller and more raked, and have significantly modified contours: The torch shape of the daytime running lights hones the design and guarantees better recognizability of the Mercedes-Benz light signature. A full-LED headlamp with MULTIBEAM technology is optionally available.
The athletic character continues in the rear view with the completely revised bumper and exhaust tips. The redesigned full LED tail lamps also ensure an unmistakable light signature – with the hallmark blocks of the Mercedes-Benz SUVs in backlit edge-light specification. All in all, the design idiom of the rear end underscores the powerful character of the GLC generation, not least because of the design of the bumper with the exhaust tips and the chromed skid plate sporting the typical SUV design.
Interior design: intelligence meets ergonomics
Refined materials, precision workmanship and flowing shapes – that is what characterizes the interior of the GLC. It is characterized by flowing surfaces in connection with clear lines and irresistible proportions. The interior of the Base Line is finished in black. The centre console features an elegant trim component, which is available in piano lacquer finish or the two new wood surface finishes – open-pore ash wood and walnut. The lines of the noble-wood veneers in the centre console exemplify supreme craftsmanship.
The multifunction steering wheel is available in two versions and has been completely revised. Its distinctive spoke design conveys even more sporty character. In addition, its operation of Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and the Touch Control buttons for controlling the instrument cluster and the multimedia system as well as the acoustic input feedback send a clear signal pointing to the future.
The user operates the telematics functions using single-finger and multi-finger gestures, so-called multi-touch control, on the multifunction touchpad on the centre console. It serves as an alternative to voice control and in addition offers the possibility to enter letters, numbers or special characters manually. The touchpad surface not only provides a clear haptic, but also an acoustic feedback.
ENERGIZING comfort control: convenient interlinking
Arrive relaxed on long journeys: The optional ENERGIZING comfort control ensures that various systems in the vehicle combine forces to create an optimal environment. This integrates lighting and musical atmospheres, climate control, suitable music and video selections as well as massage function, heating and ventilation of the seats. The ENERGIZING COACH uses data from the vehicle and surroundings to recommend one of the programmes that fits the situation and the individual. With the help of a suitable Garmin wearable, personal scores such as the stress level or the quality of sleep make the recommendation more precise.
MBUX: intuitive operation
Well thought-out, ergonomic, comfortable – these guidelines governed the advancement of the operating and display concepts used in the GLC. The focus is on the interaction with the vehicle and its functions through gestures, touch or the voice control system. This is made possible by the latest telematics generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience, which is characterized by intuitive logic and a wide range of operating options. Overall, the interplay of the touchscreen displays, the navigation with augmented reality, the intelligent voice control and the user interface sets real standards.
There are a total of five different possibilities to interact with the infotainment system of the GLC: Per Touch control on the multimedia display in the centre; Using the Touch Control buttons on the multifunction steering wheel; With the multifunction touchpad on the centre console; Using gesture control with the interior assistant; By voice control, either with the talk button on the steering wheel or the Hey Mercedes prompt.
The information the driver needs are shown on two high-resolution displays. Optionally, the instrument cluster measures 12.3 inches. The free-standing multimedia display in the centre is available in two sizes: Seven inches with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and 10.25 inches with 1920 x 720 pixels. The driver can choose from three individual representations to suit the mood or the interior: Classic is an advancement of a classic display, Sport presents a high-contrast high-tech look, Progressive visualizes modernity in reduced form. The graphics in brilliant quality underscore the comprehensibility of the intuitive operating structure. New additions are the touch sensitivity of the multimedia display – and the Touch Control buttons on the multifunction steering wheel for operating the instrument cluster and the multimedia system.
Another effortless way of operating the multimedia system is the Interior Assistant. A camera in the overhead control panel captures the movements of the hand as it approaches the touchscreen or the touchpad on the centre console. The system makes a distinction between the gestures of the driver and the front passenger, which changes the image on the media display accordingly by highlighting or enlarging individual elements. The reading spot also can be switched on and off by hand control. To this end, the light in the overhead control panel follows the movement when the driver is looking for something on the front-passenger seat, for example. In addition, there is the option of operating a favourite function of the multimedia system by a specific gesture that was stored previously.
Another highlight in conjunction with MBUX is the Augmented Video optional extra, which complements the navigation in a useful way. A camera in front of the rear-view mirror captures the surroundings and automatically shows information on the multimedia display that complements the video image. This includes traffic signs, information about where to make a turn, house numbers or names. This makes orientation – such as the search for a given address specifically – quite a bit easier.
The revised voice control system makes operation even more convenient and natural. By voice command, the driver can have the system read out text messages, operate the audio systems or access vehicle functions such as the climate control system, for example. The system requires no memorized commands – the user has the freedom, for example, to phrase the desired destination address or the question about the weather report off-the-cuff. What else is possible now: activating the voice control with the Hey Mercedes prompt. The talk button on the steering wheel is additionally available for this purpose.
New features in the GLC are the standard-fit KEYLESS-GO start function using the turbine-look start-stop button and the option to activate driver assistance systems on the multimedia display. The user selects and activates the drive modes via the DYNAMIC SELECT switch on the centre console. The multimedia display shows different drive modes in line with the particular equipment. The driver can select from different pre-configured and one individual drive mode. Depending on the powertrain and the suspension variant, between five and seven drive modes are available. In addition to Comfort, ECO, Sport, Sport+ and Individual for customizing the steering, the suspension or the powertrain, the Off-Road Engineering Package offers the two modes Off-Road and Off-Road+.