As the sporty sibling of the GLC SUV, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé completes the German automaker’s best-selling vehicle series. Although the official local launch happens early next year, we bring you the most compelling details of the sportier GLC in this exclusive preview.
A contemporary masterpiece with a dynamic design for a progressive lifestyle – that’s how Mercedes-Benz describes the latest edition of its top-selling GLC SUV range. Officially available to South African buyers from the first quarter of 2024, the GLC Coupé adds an aura of style to an already elegant range of premium compact SUVs.
At first glance, the GLC Coupé’s striking proportions, dramatic surfaces and precisely moulded edges define an unmistakable look, complemented by a clearly laid-out, high-quality interior. Although purpose-built for the urban adventurer, in true GL-inspired form, the GLC Coupé also promises a surprising level of off-road ability to boot.
EDGY AND DESIGN ORIENTATED
The GLC Coupé combines sporty performance with high efficiency. All models are equipped with electric drive technology in the form of a mild hybrid system with 48-volt technology and an integrated starter-generator for an extra boost and energy recuperation. And the new GLC Coupé is at home on almost any terrain.
The optional 4.5° rear axle steering makes the vehicle even more manoeuvrable. It is offered in the Technology package along with Airmatic air suspension. Off the road, the Coupé scores with numerous features such as 4Matic all-wheel-drive and an off-road mode with “transparent bonnet” functionality as an element of the 360° camera system to enhance the off-road driving experience.
SENSUAL PURITY, INTELLIGENCE AND EMOTION
The defining feature of the new GLC Coupé is its sporty silhouette, although it retains the familiar Mercedes-Benz SUV family look. Standard equipment includes the Avantgarde exterior with 18” light-alloy wheels and the chrome package. Accentuating the car’s width is the seamless transition from the headlights to the radiator grille.
Enhanced design over its standard SUV sibling, dramatic surfaces continue to define the Coupé’s exterior design. It is enriched with precisely moulded edges accentuating the proportions and the muscular wheel arches that balance elegance and power. AMG Line is available on both Coupé models coming to South Africa in February 2024, boasting 19- or 20” mixed-profile tyres, and wheel arch liners echoing the vehicle’s exterior colour. Also offered as optional extras are easy-entry running boards and, from AMG Line upwards, Merc’s sensuous Night package option.
At the rear, two-part taillights with black-coloured and dark red connecting elements accentuate the Coupé’s width.
MODERN YET SPORTY INTERIOR
The interior of the new GLC Coupé is equipped with the modern AVANTGARDE line as standard. The dashboard is clearly structured. The upper section has a wing-like profile with new, flattened vent outlets. The lower section has a generous trim area that flows seamlessly into the curved centre console. The 12.3” high-resolution LCD screen in front of the driver floats freely above the wing profile and trim surface. The 11.9” central display rises from the centre console and likewise floats above the trim surface. Like the dashboard, the screen surface is slightly angled towards the driver.
The modern, scaled-back design of the door panels frames both ends of the dashboard. The door centre panel with integrated armrest transitions from a vertical to a horizontal surface – reflecting the design of the centre console.
The seat design plays with layers and contoured surfaces, lending them visual lightness, while the enclosed head restraints have also been redesigned. Now offered as a unique feature (standard for the AMG Line) is a leather-lined dashboard with nappa-look beltlines. The surface innovations continue with interpretations of open-pored wood veneers in brown, anthracite and black, with aluminium inlays.
The GLC Coupé will swallow between 545 litres (45 litres more than the preceding model) and 1,490 litres (90 litres more) in all models. Mercedes also includes a powered tailgate as standard, which opens and closes conveniently at the touch of a button using the ignition key, the switch in the driver’s door, or the unlocking handle on the tailgate.
Further standard equipment on the new GLC Coupé includes large displays, smartphone integration, wireless phone charging, and heated seats for both front occupants. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has significantly simplified its package offering, combining frequently selected optional extra choices into various packages.
Both the hardware and software of the latest generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system have been improved to offer better user‑friendliness. MBUX Augmented Reality for native navigation is available as an option, where a front camera registers the vehicle’s surroundings to show moving images and superimposed virtual objects, information, and markers, on the large central display.
ENGINES ELECTRIFIED
In the engine bay, the biggest improvement over the previous GLC Coupé is the inclusion of the same 48-volt mild-hybrid electrification system with a second-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG) as both the C-Class sedan and the GLC SUV.
We discuss this system in greater detail in the review of the GLC220d SUV in this edition, but for summary’s sake, the integrated starter-generator in Merc’s mild-hybrid variants supports the combustion engine, especially at low engine speeds. Complemented by the turbocharger, this improves power delivery and makes an additional power and torque boost available under hard acceleration. The 48-volt electrical system supports hybrid functions such as coasting, boosting, and energy recovery, thus also increasing efficiency. The motor also starts quicker and more comfortably with the help of the ISG, with the start/stop function barely perceptible to the driver.
AGILITY AND SAFETY
The dynamically designed suspension system of the new GLC Coupé is based on a new four-link front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension mounted to a subframe.
The variable steering ratio is also standard across the board. On request, the new GLC Coupé is available with the Engineering Package that includes air suspension and active rear-axle steering with a 4.5° steering angle. The Airmatic system provides continuously adjustable damping for the compression and rebound stages of the shock absorbers.
The new GLC Coupé promises to be remarkably agile and stable with the optional rear-axle steering (included with the Engineering Package). At speeds below 60 km/h, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels – and by up to 4.5° when parking. In effect, this makes the car’s wheelbase feel shorter, resulting in better manoeuvrability and agility, and a reduction in the turning circle radius by 90 cm to 10.9 metres.
When speeds reach 60 km/h or more, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels by up to 4.5°, virtually extending the wheelbase for improved handling stability and safety at high speeds.
COMFORT AND SAFETY ASSISTANCE
The latest generation of the Driving Assistance Plus package contains additional and improved functions. These reduce driver workload in day-to-day situations for more comfortable and safer driving. When danger threatens, the systems can respond to impending collisions as the situation demands. The current speed limit can be selected as the speed setting at the push of a button. The active brake assist uses the sensors installed in the vehicle to detect imminent collisions with crossing or oncoming traffic or rear-end collisions. In case of danger, the system can issue an acoustic and visual alert, and if the driver fails to brake hard enough, it can also assist by appropriately increasing the braking force or initiating an emergency stop.
Regarding crash safety, all GLC (Coupé and SUV) models meet stringent Mercedes safety standards. Together with the familiar Pre-Safe protection concepts for frontal and rear impacts, the Pre-Safe Impulse Side function forms a virtual crumple zone around the vehicle. It is optionally available with Driver Assistance Package Plus.
In all, the safety concept of the GLC Coupé is based on an intelligently designed body with an exceptionally rigid passenger cell, selectively deformable crash structures and situational interaction between the seat belts, belt tensioners and airbag systems.
OFF-ROAD WITH THE GLC COUPÉ
As before, the new GLC Coupé is also suitable for off-road driving and has several new features and systems designed for that use. Standard equipment includes an off-road driving mode and Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR).
In off-road mode, the GLC Coupé with the 360° camera offers a “transparent bonnet”. The central display shows a virtual view under the front of the vehicle, including the front wheels and their steering position. This enables the driver to recognise obstacles such as large stones or deep potholes sooner and more quickly.
The off-road screen mode uses the two displays to clearly present information, controls, and key functions for off-road conditions. Among other things, the driver’s display shows inclination, gradient, topographical altitude, geo-coordinates, and a compass, as well as road speed and engine speed when operating with an internal combustion engine. The central display shows the current position on the terrain as well as the steering angle of the front wheels. If the vehicle has rear-wheel steering, it also shows the steering direction of the rear wheels. All the driving functions relevant to off-road operation can be controlled easily on one screen.
The GLC’s optional air suspension system also brings comfort advantages to bear when off-road, offering additional benefits, including better ground clearance regardless of the load, and long suspension travel for the best possible traction. Rear-axle steering increases off-road manoeuvrability even further.
LAST WORD
Mercedes-Benz South Africa has announced two models initially, with a replacement for the current AMG version expected later. As entry to the GLC Coupé range, the GLC220d will carry the same two-litre four-cylinder mill as employed in the GLC SUV, producing 145 kW (with 17 kW of e-boost from the mild-hybrid system) and 440 Nm of torque augmented by 200 Nm from the same system.
The GLC300d uses the same engine, but performance is increased to 190+17 kW of power, with a slight decrease of 400 Nm on the cards, although the latter also receives an additional 200 Nm of torque, when needed, from the mild-hybrid system.
All models are available as standard in Avantgarde trim, with AMG Line specification as an option.
MODELS AND PRICING
- GLC220d: R1,392,350.00
- GLC300d: R1,447,350.00
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © MERCEDES-BENZ AG
