Thursday, December 10, 2015
New Mercedes Benz GLC SUV takes shape
The Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV has been spotted testing on international roads.
The pictures reveal the GLC's new grille and headlights, with some chrome detailing. From the rear, new tail-lights are visible, along with a newly refreshed boot.
The GLC will come in a right-hand-drive configuration for the first time, highly placed company sources have confirmed to sister publication Autocar UK. In line with Mercedes’ new nomenclature, the new car will now be badged GLC rather than GLK.
It has been developed in a joint engineering programme with the new C-class and shares crucial elements of that car’s platform, drivelines and technical features. Codenamed X253, the new high-riding Mercedes aims to provide stiff competition for the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the upcoming Land Rover Discovery Sport. First used on the latest C-class, the new GLC’s modular platform provides scope for the production of both left- and right-hand-drive variants, thanks to a newly engineered driveshaft arrangement for the front wheels that preserves right-hand footwell space.
Stylistically, the latest GLC is a radical departure from its predecessor. Gone are the square-edged military vehicle-inspired lines. They have been replaced by a much more expressive exterior design that has strong links to the latest C-class, with more heavily raked screen angles. The sleeker styling also extends to the five-seat cabin. There is a swoopy dashboard similar to the one on the latest C-class, complete with a free-standing multimedia monitor. The steering wheel, instruments, switchgear, trim and seats are all according to the latest Mercedes design.
The GLC will be manufactured in Mercedes-Benz factories in Germany, United States and China, and will be sold with a range of longitudinally mounted in-line four-cylinder and V6 petrol and diesel engines, all brought over from the new C-class range. The turbocharged petrol and diesel engines will be mated to either a standard seven or nine-speed automatic gearbox. Buyers will also be offered a choice of rear or four-wheel drive depending on the engine they choose.
The pictures reveal the GLC's new grille and headlights, with some chrome detailing. From the rear, new tail-lights are visible, along with a newly refreshed boot.
The GLC will come in a right-hand-drive configuration for the first time, highly placed company sources have confirmed to sister publication Autocar UK. In line with Mercedes’ new nomenclature, the new car will now be badged GLC rather than GLK.
It has been developed in a joint engineering programme with the new C-class and shares crucial elements of that car’s platform, drivelines and technical features. Codenamed X253, the new high-riding Mercedes aims to provide stiff competition for the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the upcoming Land Rover Discovery Sport. First used on the latest C-class, the new GLC’s modular platform provides scope for the production of both left- and right-hand-drive variants, thanks to a newly engineered driveshaft arrangement for the front wheels that preserves right-hand footwell space.
Stylistically, the latest GLC is a radical departure from its predecessor. Gone are the square-edged military vehicle-inspired lines. They have been replaced by a much more expressive exterior design that has strong links to the latest C-class, with more heavily raked screen angles. The sleeker styling also extends to the five-seat cabin. There is a swoopy dashboard similar to the one on the latest C-class, complete with a free-standing multimedia monitor. The steering wheel, instruments, switchgear, trim and seats are all according to the latest Mercedes design.
The GLC will be manufactured in Mercedes-Benz factories in Germany, United States and China, and will be sold with a range of longitudinally mounted in-line four-cylinder and V6 petrol and diesel engines, all brought over from the new C-class range. The turbocharged petrol and diesel engines will be mated to either a standard seven or nine-speed automatic gearbox. Buyers will also be offered a choice of rear or four-wheel drive depending on the engine they choose.
