Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced a range update including refreshed pricing and specs for the 2020 GLC and the biggest change to hit the SUV (apart from the minor aesthetic revision) is the omission of diesel powertrains previously offered.
While the update does away with oil-burners, the brand introduces a plug-in hybrid variant alongside its petrol-sipping brethren as well as two spicy AMG variants in both wagon and coupe form.
The range kicks off with the GLC 200 available solely in wagon form. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder producing 145kW and 320Nm of torque driving the rear wheels. The GLC 200 sits on 19-inch alloys dampened with Agility Control suspension with Dynamic Select driving modes. Furthermore, it gets a pair of refreshed LED headlights (with DRLs) that’s seen throughout the range.
Inside, it’s the usual affair of electric seats, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, Artico faux-leather upholstery and infotainment via MBUX with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety features include nine airbags, ESC, Active Brake Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Blind Spot Assist and the Pre-Safe Autonomous Emergency Braking system just to name a few.
Climbing the up ladder, we find the GLC 300 4Matic which replaces the GLC 250 in the lineup and comes in both wagon and coupe styles. It matches the 200’s specs while adding Multibeam LED headlights with active high beam, rear privacy glass, keyless start and entry, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Lane Changing Assist, Evasive Steering Assist and Pre-Safe.
The coupe-body adds Dynamic Body Control with adaptive damping as part of the AMG-line treatment. The GLC 300 is powered by a 190kW and 370Nm 2.0-litre force-inducted engine mated up to a 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox that’s driving all four 20-inch wheels via 4Matic. The GLC 300e is next up in line and for the first time in Australia, the GLC-Class receives a plug-in hybrid variant that’s available only in wagon form.
Propelled by a 155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder working in tandem with an electric motor producing 90kW and 440Nm, the GLC 300e boasts a total system output 235kW and a staggering 700Nm. Lithium-ion batteries store 13.5kWh of energy and enable it to travel up to 43km purely on electricity. The marque claims it to sip fuel at a rate of just 2.2l/100km while still being able to perform the century sprint in 5.7 seconds.
We cross the threshold into AMG territory, starting with the GLC 43 4Matic. Available in both body styles, it packs a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 287kW and 520Nm of twist. The 43 pair employs a AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission to drive all wheels by way of an AMG-tuned 4Matic system. AMG-tuned suspension, sport steering and brakes are applied to the entry-level AMG GLC as well.
The interior features a Burmester surround sound system, head-up display, electrically-adjusted heated leather seats and illuminated door sills. The wagon-body gets a panoramic roof while the coupe gets a sunroof. Outside, an AMG-unique Panamericana grille, black trim pieces and roof rails as part of the Night Package and 20-inch alloys round off its look.
We then arrive at the range-topping, fire-breathing GLC 63 S 4Matic+, available too in wagon and coupe guises. The firepower under the bonnet comes in the form of a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that chucks out a hefty 375kW and 700Nm onto the AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed automatic. Applying that grunt to the tarmac thereafter is a set 21-inch wheels helped along with AMG’s 4Matic+ with fully variable torque distribution and an electronic rear-axle limited-slip differential.
Additionally, it comes with an AMG performance exhaust, brakes and active dynamic engine mounts to compliment the AMG-tuned aero kit that’s designed to always keep the 63 rooted at speed and through the bends. The interior features Nappa leather upholstery and an AMG Performance steering wheel over the offering found in the GLC 43.
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 Wagon - $66,100
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic Wagon -$77,700
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic Coupe -$87,700
- Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e 4Matic Wagon - $80,400
- Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Wagon - $109,900
- Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe - $117,400
- Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic+ Wagon - $161,000
- Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic+ Coupe - $168,100
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