All-new coupé SUV gets more efficient engines and tech galore inside and out On sale July Price from £52,000 (est)
Alasdair Rodden alasdair.rodden@haymarket.com
THE ANNUAL OSCARS ceremony is an incredibly glamorous affair, but it’s also vital for the film industry, showcasing what every studio has to offer. Likewise, the new Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé flaunts the very latest tech its maker can muster, with the aim of standing out against its rivals.
This curvier sister to the regular GLC SUV wears a sharper look than its predecessor, with a nose that echoes that of the SL roadster and slimmer, more angular rear lights than before. It’s the headlights, though, that incorporate the most innovative tech you’ll find on the outside of the GLC.
They offer the option of ‘digital light with projection’ technology, which can project warning symbols, guidelines and other useful information onto the road ahead. We tested this feature in the EQE electric saloon last year and were so impressed that it came very close to winning the Technology Award in our 2023 Car of the Year Awards.
The new GLC Coupé is also available with four-wheel steering. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, reducing the car’s turning circle and making tight manoeuvres easier. At higher speeds, meanwhile, the rear wheels turn with the front wheels, to improve stability.
All engines are electrified to some extent; the 2.0-litre petrols and diesels both use mild hybrid technology to improve efficiency, with 23bhp of electric assistance.The GLC 200 and 300 petrols produce 194bhp and 265bhp respectively, while the 220d and 300d diesels offer 201bhp and 254bhp.
There are also petrol and diesel plugin hybrid (PHEV) models, which combine 2.0-litre engines with a 134bhp electric motor. The petrol versions produce 309bhp in 300e form and 376bhp as the 400e.The diesel 300de produces a total of 330bhp.
The PHEVs now have a 31.2kWh battery – more than double the capacity of the one in the old models.This officially enables the new PHEVs to cover up to 74 miles on electric power alone, and that’s nearly double the 40 miles that the rival Range Rover Velar P400e can officially manage with its 19.2kWh battery. In fact, the new GLC Coupé has among the longest electric-only ranges of any PHEV, and it slots into the low 5% benefit-in-kind tax bracket for company car users.
For those who rank performance above economy, AMG-tweaked variants will join the range in due course, with a rapid GLC 43 joined by a formidable GLC 63 with up to 671bhp. Every GLC, meanwhil
