Mercedes-Benz India has launched the new GLC facelift in the country at a starting price of Rs 52.75 lakh for petrol variant and Rs 57.75 lakh for the diesel variant. All prices are ex-sh. The new Mercedes-Benz GLC comes with subtle cosmetic tweaks and the brand’s state-of-the-art MBUX infotainment system.
The updated Mercedes-Benz GLC was unveiled to the public for the first time at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show which was held back in March 2019. With its Indian debut, the new Mercedes-Benz GLC will introduce the brand’s BS6-compliant 2.0-litre petrol engine. The German automotive company’s BS6 diesel powertrains are already available on the Indian market.
In its mid-life update, the GLC becomes closer in terms of design to the likes of the revised GLE and GLS models; both of which are not launched in the country yet. The new Mercedes-Benz GLC also throws light on the brand’s latest form of the ‘Sensual Purity’ design philosophy, coined by Head of Design, Gorden Wagener.
Coming back to one of its primary highlights, the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system comes in a 10.25-inch touchscreen format along with a digital instrument cluster (they are still individual units unlike the single, wide layout on higher Mercedes models). Users can access a wide range of functions available within the MBUX system via multiple ways of input, such as the touchscreen itself, steering-mounted touch-controls, voice (by saying “Hey, Mercedes”), gestures or the convenient touchpad placed on the centre console.
It gets ambient lighting in 64 colours. No spare wheel in luggage space as it’s been put below (hidden) in boot so expandable luggage space of 1600l can be used to full capacity. It gets wood trim in console as standard, wireless charging, active braking assist, etc.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC is available petrol as well as diesel engine options – all BS6 compliant. The diesel unit is a 1950 cc 4 cylinder mill which delivers 194 hp and 400 Nm. 0-100 kmph time is 7.9 seconds. Petrol unit is powered by a 1991 cc 4 cyl mill which delivers 197 hp and 320 Nm. Acceleration from 0-100 kmph is in 7.8 seconds. As the ‘4MATIC’ tag implies, all versions come with an all-wheel-drive unit (front-wheel-biased). The proven 9G-Tronic automatic transmission comes as standard.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a relatively new product for the brand. It was introduced as part of the Mercedes-Benz’s aggressive business strategy to launch products in almost all price segments in the luxury side of passenger vehicles. As the name suggests, it is an SUV-equivalent (mid-size crossover-SUV, technically) to the C-Class sedan.
Currently, it is slotted between the entry-level GLA and the mid-range GLE (formerly ML). The Mercedes-Benz GLC mainly rivals the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Volvo XC60 and BMW X3. Apart from launch of GLC facelift, Mercedes India has also revealed that the new gen GLE SUV will launch in Jan 2020. Bookings have now opened at their dealership.