BASEL – As a filler of automotive niches, Mercedes-Benz has been without peer. From its Smart city car up to the mountain-flattening G-Class, it has filled every market segment and crossover slice in between with a three-pointed star. All, that is, except for C-segment SUV crossovers…. at least not in right-hand drive form.
The absence of RHD competitor to those of its fiercest global competitors – BMW and its X3, and Audi and its Q5 – has always been something of a head scratcher. The GLK, of course, took on the X3 and Q5 in Europe and other LHD markets, but Mercedes-Benz missed an opportunity and never made the car in RHD form. It’s a decision that it admits to regretting as the GLK went on to sell nearly 700 000 units around the world and is, to date, its best-selling SUV ever.
That has all changed and its successor, the GLC, has the architecture to accommodate a steering wheel on both sides of the cabin, which means it will finally be coming to South Africa (in early November). At the car’s international launch, much of Mercedes-Benz’s focus was pointing out how much of an improvement the new GLC is over its GLK predecessor and, while we lack the context, it’s worth pointing out none-the-less.
BIGGER & LIGHTER
For one thing, it is bigger – 120 mm longer and 50 mm wider than the GLK – and Mercedes claim it offers considerably more rear passenger knee-room (36 mm) and boot space (40 mm increase in length and 80 litres in volume). It is also a more fuel-efficient vehicle than its predecessor says Mercedes. While it carries over engines from the GLK, these are now more powerful and less thirsty and that, together with improved aerodynamics (Cd of 0.31) and lighter construction (80 kg less than the GLK), means reductions of up to 19% in both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
ENGINE
I drove all three derivatives to be launched here in November (the GLC 300 will arrive in Q1 2016 and we’re not getting the GLC 350 e 4Matic plug-in hybrid), and of these three, the zippiest was the Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4Matic with its four-cylinder, 2,0-litre turbo petrol. Good for 150 kW at 5 500 r/min and 350 N.m from as low as 1 200 r/min means there’s a healthy dollop of power underfoot through most of the standard nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s an impressive combo that allows one to flex an ankle and comfortably overtake at highway speeds.
INTERIOR
It is a comfortable place to be too. Taking much of its design cues from the new C-Class upon whose platform the GLC is based, the SUV’s interior is a premium environment with plenty of that claimed rear space in evidence. Echoing the curved and flowing exterior design language we’re seeing on new Mercs, the dash is a lovely blend of sculpted modernity and the smallest of nods to Merc’s heritage. As they inevitably are, our press cars were specced to the hilt, but even without the extra trimmings, tech-representing buttons, and glorious Nappa leather, I’m certain the high perceived quality will remain. Indeed the car’s standard spec remains impressive with a host of safety tech, two-climate zone auto aircon, Speedtronic cruise control and, as I’ll mention in a moment, the Dynamic Select handling control system.
DRIVING IT
Get behind the wheel though and this is where the GLC will impress you the most. Granted, it’s been a while since I drove the benchmark BMW X3, but I suspect a back-to-back drive with the GLC will reveal that the bar has been moved ever so slightly higher. Even with our car’s optional 18-inch wheels (comes standard with 17-inch 235/60 R18 tyres) the GLC offers a supple and pliant ride for a superb blend of comfort and driving dynamics that I think is perfect for its target market. The electric power-assisted steering has more than the requisite weight and feel and, with variable steering-ratio, is both responsive at speed and nimble in the car park.
Significantly, Merc offers Dynamic Select – their dynamic handling control system – as standard equipment with the GLC. It means you have five driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual) to choose from, all of which offer different responses from the dampers, steering and throttle. As is befitting a car like this, the differences are subtle rather than dramatic, but there’s enough of a discernable gap between the Eco and Sport+ to make using the central console-mounted aluminium rocker switch a worthwhile exercise.
OFF-ROAD ABILITY
There is also another impressive card the new GLC has to play… it can head far off the beaten track too. Tick the Offroad Engineering package on the options list and your GLC will come with 5 off-road driving modes, underbody protection, and a suspension raised by 20 mm. Tick also the Air Body Control air suspension option and that ground clearance increases by up to 50 millimetres. As part of our drive, Merc set up a loop through an off-road course that included a 78% incline and similar drop down the other side, as well a loose gravel road with some very deep and uneven holes that fully tested the GLC’s traction and suspension abilities. I doubt whether too many owners will go for this pricey option and if they do, even less will likely take their shiny GLC’s off-road, but if they do, trust me, it will be up for the job.
THE NEW SEGMENT KINGPIN?
Mercedes SA has also released pricing for the GLC and it remains on par with the X3 and Q5 with, roughly, a 5% swing either way. However, as with all of these premium German SUVs, once you start choosing from the lengthy options lists, they become very expensive vehicles. Given increasing demand for crossover SUVs all over the world though, demand is unlikely to wane and at the sharp end of this niche, Mercedes appear to have the winning car. A back-to-back comparative test will be the true judge, but based on the two days I spent with it criss-crossing the Rhine through Switzerland, Germany, and France, I reckon Mercedes-Benz has come up with the best all round package to date.
MODEL LINE-UP
GLC 220 d 4MATIC, turbodiesel, 125 kW/400 N.m … R602 26
GLC 250 d 4MATIC, turbodiesel, 150 kW / 500 N.m … R622 260
GLC 250 4MATIC, turbopetrol, 155 kW / 350 N.m … R609 620
GLC 300 4MATIC, turbopetrol, 1755 kW / torque N/A … R660 748
OPTIONAL EXTERIOR DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT LINES
Exclusive Line with 18-inch wheels, radiator grille with twin louvres and chrome inserts, bumpers with chromed underguards at front and rear, two chromed exhaust tailpipes, polished aluminium trim and roof rails in anodised aluminium
Off-Road Line with 18-inch wheels, radiator grille with twin louvres and chrome inserts, front bumper with larger angle of approach and chromed underguard at the rear, two chromed exhaust tailpipes, polished aluminium trim and roof rails in anodised aluminium
AMG Line with AMG 19-inch wheels, sports suspension, radiator grille with twin louvres and chrome inserts, AMG bumpers with chromed underguards, two chromed exhaust tailpipes, polished aluminium trim and roof rails in anodised aluminium
