By: Dave Abrahams
Stuttgart, Germany - Only a year after the GLC Coupé concept rattled BMW's cage at the Shanghai motor show, Mercedes-Benz has announced the production version, and it's practically a dead ringer for the 2015 show car.
Merc to rival X4 with GLC Coupé
At 4730mm long on a 2870mm wheelbase and 1600mm high, it is 80mm longer and 40mm lower than the GLC SUV with which it shares its platform and running gear - but the big difference is in the roofline.
The A pillars are less steeply raked and the roof flows smoothly down to a fastback tail - so smoothly in fact, that the maker says the GLC Coupé doesn't need a rear window wiper. That's because the airflow doesn't break away until after the spoiler lip, so water never lands on the rear window, it explains. We'll see.
Merc's new GLC in words and pictures
More direct sports steering (15.1:1 compared to the SUV's 16.1:1), 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive and sports suspension are standard issue, with two adaptive suspension options - a new dynamic body control system operating on the standard steel springs, and Mercedes' established Air Body Control multi-chamber air suspension.
Standard across the range, the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission has five selectable driving modes - Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual - each of which does exactly what it says on the tin.
In addition, if your GLC Coupé has air suspension, it hunkers down 15mm closer to the tar in Sport+ mode - and the rear suspension also drops 40mm when you open the power-operated tailgate to access the 491 litre cargo bay, which expands to 1205 litres wit the rear seat-backs folded.
MODEL LINE-UP
The GLC Coupé will be available at launch in Europe with a choice of four petrol and four diesel engines, including a V6 AMG version and a plug-in hybrid (which will not be coming to South Africa).
They start with the four-cylinder 2.1 litre GLC 220d (125kW/400Nm) turbodiesel, which won't be coming to South Afrca, the 2.1-litre GLC 250d (150kW/500Nm) which will, as well as the two-litre GLC 250 (155kW/350Nm) and GLC 300 (180kW/370Nm) turbopetrol fours, while the GLC 43 AMG biturbo V6 leads the pack with 270kW, launching from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds.
The line-up for the South African launch in November 2016 will definitely include the GLC43 AMG and yes, adrenalin junkies, there is a GLC 63 AMG to follow early in 2017.
BELLS AND WHISTLES
Standard kit includes 18 inch alloys, a power-operated tailgate, an Audio 20 CD multimedia system, a reversing camera, keyless entry and start, and upholstery in Artico synthetic leather, as well a driver aids such as collision prevention assist, crosswind assist, auto headlight dipping, attention assist, and an electronic stability package with dynamic cornering assist.
There's the usual raft of extra-cost options, headlined by AMG Line interior and exterior kits, a Night package and an Exclusive package, as well as a range of 19 and 20 inch AMG alloy rims, and an optional sports exhaust for the petrol-engined models that allows them to speak with considerably more authority.