The new Mercedes-Benz GLC luxury lifestyle SUV: South African line-up announcement

The new Mercedes-Benz GLC is even more dynamic, powerful and sustainable. Locally available
with an innovative mild-hybrid system with 48-volt technology and an integrated starter-generator, the brand-new model sets heightened standards for driving enjoyment, efficiency, advanced design and a luxurious, practical cabin.

“With the new GLC, which spearheads the next generation of our luxury lifestyle SUV range, we are continuing a success story into the future: since its global introduction, 2.6 million customers have decided in favour of the class-leading GLC line-up,” says Mark Raine, Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director: Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa. “Likewise, it’s been a massive success in the South African market and is one of the most sought-after cars in our product portfolio.

“We’re excited to have the new GLC in South Africa, with its combination of dynamic driving, latest in technology and digitalisation, modern design and luxury appeal. It promises to thrill in both outdoor and city environments, and is set to attract adventurers and families alike,” concludes Raine.

Sensual purity, intelligence and emotion
The GLC is immediately recognisable as a member of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family. Standard equipment includes the AVANTGARDE exterior with Chrome package including chrome window surrounds and a new, chrome-look simulated underguard. This adds striking design features and enhances the unique proportions of the vehicle.

One of the defining design highlights of the GLC is the redesigned front end, with headlamps that connect directly to the radiator grille to emphasise the vehicle’s width, and the new radiator grille as part of the standard AVANTGARDE exterior, which now has a chrome surround and a sporty louvre in matt grey with chrome trim. The AMG Line has a radiator grille with Mercedes-Benz pattern.

“The GLC continues our design philosophy with its sensual purity and, like the entire SUV portfolio, exudes intelligence and emotion,” says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Mercedes-Benz AG. “With its beauty and exceptional flair, we have been able to create the modern luxury that is the hallmark of Mercedes- Benz.”
The body design is characterised by a full, spanned surface design enriched with precisely shaped edges on the sides. These emphasise the proportions, accentuate the muscular wheel arches and 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, as optional equipment in conjunction with mixed tyres. Also available as an optional extra are easy-entry running boards and, from the AMG Line upwards, a Night package.

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 new two-section rear lights have an interior with a three-dimensional look and emphasise the width of the rear end. This too has a simulated chrome underguard, which encases the simulated chrome-look tailpipes.

Interior: Modern, sporty luxury
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. 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.
The 12.3-inch (31.2 cm) high-resolution LCD screen in front of the driver appears to float freely before the wing profile and trim area. The 11.9-inch (30.2 cm) central display rises seamlessly and without joints from the centre console, and likewise appears to float above the trim area. Like the dashboard, the screen surface is slightly angled towards the driver.

The modern, highly reduced design of the door panels frames both ends of the dashboard. The door centre panel with integrated armrest evolves from a vertical surface into a horizontal orientation. Reflecting the design of the centre console, the front section takes the form of a metallic high-tech element. It can be used as a grab or closing handle, and houses the power window controls. Another highlight is the floating control cluster, into which the door opener and seat adjustment controls are integrated.
The avant-garde seat design of the new GLC plays with layers and contoured surfaces, lending them visual lightness. The head restraints and their connection to the backrest with an enclosed cover have been redesigned. The new GLC is available with a leather-lined dashboard with nappa-look beltlines (optional, standard for the AMG Line).

Some trim elements have innovative surfaces. These include new interpretations of open-pored veneers in brown tones as well as an open-pored, black wood veneer featuring fine, form-following inlays in real aluminium.

Dimensional concept and practical details: Great day-to-day operating convenience
The key dimensions of the new GLC emphasise the SUV’s even more dynamic and powerful appearance. With a length of 4,716 mm, it is 60 mm longer and 4 mm lower than its predecessor. The track widths have been increased by 6 mm at the front (now 1,627 mm) and 23 mm at the rear (now: 1,640 mm). The longer vehicle length benefits the wheelbase and the front and rear overhangs. The vehicle width has remained the same at 1,890 mm.

The luggage capacity benefits from the larger rear overhang and has increased significantly to 620 litres (+70 litres compared to the preceding model). This is noticeable in day-to-day driving, as well as during holiday journeys with the family or for everyday transport requirements. The GLC has the EASY-PACK tailgate as standard. This opens or closes conveniently at the touch of a button: using the button on the ignition key, the switch in the driver’s door or the unlocking handle on the tailgate.

Improved aerodynamics
In its aerodynamically most favourable configuration, the minimal drag coefficient of the GLC is Cd = 0.29. This makes it two hundredths better than its predecessor (Cd = 0.31) – a notable advance for an SUV with conventional drive.

Optimisation of the vehicle with respect to aerodynamic drag and wind noise was carried out with the help of extensive digital flow simulations (CFD – computational fluid dynamics), as well as tests with real vehicles in the aero-acoustic wind tunnel. The new GLC is a pleasantly quiet vehicle with a serene sound signature and low rolling and wind noise. This was achieved with acoustic optimisation of the bodyshell and sophisticated sound insulation. An acoustic membrane in the windscreen is standard equipment, for example. The optionally available, acoustically effective thermal insulation glass meets even higher comfort expectations.

Comfort appointments: Improvements in many details
The cross-functional ENERGIZING networks different comfort systems to provide a more effective driving experience. The optional ENERGIZING package Plus brings them to life at the touch of a button or by voice command, and bundles them into worlds of experience in up to seven comfort programmes. At the same time, the system creates a matching atmosphere in the interior – e.g. invigorating in case of fatigue or relaxing in case of an elevated stress level.

The AIR-BALANCE package is also part of the ENERGIZING package Plus. It offers an individual, subtle
fragrancing experience in the interior – according to personal preference and depending on the mood. Thanks to refreshing ionisation and filtering of the outside and interior air, it also helps to ensure improved air quality and a greater sense of well-being.

The optional ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL intelligently monitors the air quality of the vehicle interior. It uses air quality and fine particle sensors for this purpose. If limit values are exceeded, it switches the air conditioning to air recirculation mode. A two-stage filter concept can additionally filter fine dust and a large proportion of pollutants from the air.

The new GLC is available with a new panoramic sunroof as an optional extra. The lined cross-strut is slimmer than in the previous version, providing an almost uninterrupted view through the larger glass roof area. If required, the panoramic sunroof can be covered with a roller blind.

Standard equipment significantly upgraded
Based on the luxury strategy of Mercedes-Benz, the standard equipment of the new GLC has been
significantly upgraded and offers the customer a highly attractive vehicle right from the start. The
AVANTGARDE Line is standard, for example, as are popular features such as the large displays, smartphone integration and wireless charging.

In addition, the package logic has been considerably simplified to reduce the effort of choosing from numerous individual options. Functional features that are frequently ordered together are now bundled into equipment packages on the basis of actual buyer behaviour. There are only very few functional options available beyond this. Where design options such as paint finish, upholstery, trim and wheels are concerned, our customers can configure their vehicles individually as before.