New Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 is a Masterclass in Electric Luxury.
All-New Mercedes-Benz GLC – A Masterclass in Electric Luxury.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric is a ground-up reimagining of luxury, performance, and intelligent design, and although it shares its name with the internal combustion engine (ICE) GLC, it is not related to it. It is the first model built on the new MB.EA-M dedicated electric architecture, a platform conceived around the unique demands of battery-electric propulsion. A purpose built platform has allowed engineers to optimise weight distribution, structural rigidity, thermal management, and packaging in ways simply impossible on adapted ICE underpinnings. The result is a vehicle that feels born electric rather than converted, and that rational difference is evident in every aspect of the driving experience. Rivals to the new GLC Electric include the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan, along with the recently-released BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 SUVs.
Banish Range Anxiety.
Anxiety about range and charging times has long been the Achilles heel of electric vehicle adoption, but Mercedes-Benz has addressed both concerns with considerable ambition in the GLC Electric. The charging architecture is genuinely impressive, as it adopts an 800V electrical system, enabling DC rapid charging at speeds of up to 330kW. This leads to remarkable practicality, as a 10-80% charge can be completed in as little as 22 minutes at a compatible high-power charger – little more than the time it takes for a brief coffee break.
New Design Language.
The illuminated Mercedes-Benz iconic grille with illuminated panels and frame, along with the partially-illuminated Mercedes star, provide the GLC Electric with a truly individual look – even from afar. The GLC Electric is classified by Mercedes-Benz as the first vehicle to embody a completely new design language that will feature on future models. The LED headlights feature an integrated tri-star emblem that take on the dual role of distinctive daytime running lights and indicators. The rear lights mirror the front with circular LED elements that stretch across the tailgate, also featuring tri-star elements for enhanced visual effect at night. A top-selling Mercedes-Benz model globally, the all-electric GLC – with its redesigned chromed grille, sleeker silhouette and more pronounced wheel arches – sits alongside diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid models currently available on the Irish market.
Luxuriously-Appointed Cabin.
The spacious, luxuriously-appointed cabin features the latest, fourth-generation MBUX infotainment system which comes with integrated Microsoft, Google AI and a new MBUX Superscreen that extends across the entire width of the dashboard. This continuous 39.1-inch display serves as a digital instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and passenger entertainment display. The centre console features two wireless charging pads side-by-side, bordered by a single row of physical buttons. As expected from a premium Mercedes-Benz model, the GLC Electric is equipped with a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard. The well-designed boot in the GLC Electric has a capacity of 520-litres behind the rear seats, with up to 1,690-litres available when they are folded flat – a task that can be easily achieved via release levers in the boot or on the top of the split-folding seats themselves.
Model Designations.
The GLC Electric boasts EQ Technology as standard, and is available in three model designations – GLC 250 (with an 85kWh battery and 638km range), a 4-wheel drive GLC 300 4MATIC (85kWh battery and 606km range), and GLC 400 4MATIC (with a larger 94kWh battery and 664km range), and buyers can choose between Avantgarde and AMG Line trim versions. As is the case across the entire Mercedes-Benz model line-up, the GLC Electric can be specified with numerous optional equipment packages for total exclusivity.
Test Car Details.
My test car was a GLC 400 4MATIC in Avantgarde trim, which was finished in Plain Black solid paintwork (a no-cost option), with contrasting 20-inch 5-spoke light-alloy wheels (a €1,269 option) in lieu of standard 19-inch alloy wheels. Black ARTICO leather upholstery is fitted as standard, but my test car had optional ARTICO leather in two-tone beige/ black at a cost of €239. Additional key standard Avantgarde equipment includes: comfort suspension, electrically adjustable & heated front seats with memory function, MBUX Navigation, THERMATIC automatic climate control, multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather, MB.DRIVE Parking Assist, SKY CONTROL panoramic roof, MBUX Superscreen, ambient lighting, multiple cameras and sensors, and a ‘starry-sky’ night light feature. A host of additional comfort, convenience, safety and infotainment features also come as standard, as does Mercedes-Benz’ legendary build quality. A 7-metre charging cable (up to 22kW) for wallbox and public charging station use is also included, and it can be stored in the 128-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet for added convenience. Everywhere you look in the cabin you will see exceptionally-high material and build quality, as well as a host of cutting-edge tech. The GLC 400 4MATIC Electric features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, which is equipped with a two-speed automatic transmission on the rear axle, allowing the luxury SUV to achieve energy savings at motorway speeds. The dual electric motors produces 489hp and a substantial 800Nm of torque, providing the car with the ability to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.3-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 210km/h (where permitted) – exceptional performance from a vehicle with an unladen weight in excess of 2.3-tonnes. The GLC Electric delivers a supremely-comfortable ride quality, with exceptional straight-line performance and predictable handling characteristics. A perfect driving position is easy to achieve by way of electric adjustment on the seat and steering wheel, with up to 3 driver settings available in the memory function. The front passenger seat also benefits from electric adjustment (with 3 memory settings), and both front seats come with a useful massage function as standard. The steering is light, smooth, direct and consistently weighted, so it is easy to place the car exactly where you want it to be on the road, and there is a great sense of refinement to the way the car moves. The brakes have excellent calibration, making it easy to come to a smooth stop, and drivers can choose the level of regeneration that suits their individual driving style via the paddles behind the steering wheel. It is easy to toggle between the one-pedal setting, the more moderate settings, and the adaptive setting, and this new system can feed back more energy to the battery than previous regen systems. A host of cameras and parking sensors located around the car make parking a doddle, so much so that it easy to forget you are driving a car that spans almost 4.86-metres in length.
Verdict & Price.
The new GLC Electric delivers on its promise of long range ability, and it is a truly impressive luxurious, spacious and technologically-advanced family SUV that wears its famous three-pointed star with pride. The new GLC Electric is priced from €72,085 (GLC 250 EQ Technology), with my test-car specification priced from €79,615 (excluding optional extras).
Visit www.mercedes-benz.ie for further information
