Following the recent launch of its ‘traditional wagon SUV’ sibling, the new-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has broken cover internationally, following in the footsteps of the standard GLC in terms of electrification, styling and tech updates.
While no Australian details have been confirmed – that’s likely to come soon based on the brand’s Australian arm’s timing with previous announcements – it’s not unreasonable to expect the Coupe to follow the SUV in a slimmed-down line-up, where the SUV is to be only available in GLC300 guise until the AMG variants arrive.
Like the GLC SUV, the Coupe has grown slightly, with a 15mm-longer wheelbase and an increase in track width by 6mm at the front and 23mm at the rear mirroring that of the SUV, while the Coupe is 31mm longer and 5mm higher than the previous version.
A new four-link front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension setup, with optional Airmatic air suspension system is, you guessed it, the same as on the SUV.
Inside, an 11.9-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display are also the same as in the SUV, as is the minimalistic central console and storage bin.
A pair of ‘Digital Light’ LED headlight clusters are new for the Coupe too, and like the SUV their housing is joined physically to the grille to maximise the sleeker look of the new GLC’s face.
As mentioned, it’s possible the only variant that will come to Australia, AMG models aside, is the GLC300 Coupe, with the same drivetrain as the SUV: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 190kW and 400Nm, with the brand’s ‘EQ Boost’ 48V mild-hybrid system adding 17kW and 200Nm of electric boost.
While Mercedes-Benz has introduced a line-up of three plug-in hybrid variants to the model for international markets, don’t hold your breath for any of them to arrive in Australia.
Mercedes-Benz Cars Australia head of media relations Jerry Stamoulis told CarsGuide the lack of interest in plug-in hybrids amongst Australian customers prompted the brand to leave them off the table.
“As you know, Mercedes-Benz has been one of the pioneers of the technology in Australia, offering plug-in hybrids since early last decade in the C-Class, as well as more recently in the current (outgoing) GLC,” Stamoulis said.
“But consumers are now moving to full electric, bypassing PHEV, and that’s reflected in the slow sales uptake for the GLC PHEV.”
In terms of the previous GLC Coupe’s performance in the Mercedes stable, it made up for more than a quarter of the GLC’s sales last year, 1531 of the 5856 GLC’s sold in 2022 were Coupes, or 26.1 per cent.
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