A new version of the Mercedes GLC is entering the final stages of testing ahead of its launch this year
- New picture of next GLC undergoing winter testing
- It will launch later in 2022
- Electrification tech will feature on all models; plug-in hybrid will have over 60 miles of range
A new Mercedes GLC SUV is on the way, and today the German car maker has given us another look at it while it is tested for cold weather in northern Sweden. Of course, the new model is pictured wearing bodywork-concealing camouflage, but it still gives a good idea of how the new model will look.
The GLC is undergoing winter testing to check that it’s capable of handling extreme cold, ice and snow. A special test track is laid out in the ice, and the car is driven for thousands of miles to make sure everything works as intended.
Mercedes says that a key part of testing is the new safety kit the car will use. The adaptive cruise control, steering assist, traffic sign recognition, intelligent parking systems and trailer assist technology was all tested in winter conditions for consistency.
The new GLC SUV will use many parts shared with the latest Mercedes C-Class, including the interior look. This means it will use a large portrait touchscreen taking up most of the centre console, using the MBUX user interface found in all modern Mercedes cars. It will feature a menu to help with off-roading in the GLC, too, and there will be a large digital display instead of regular dials as well.
All of the petrol and diesel models will feature electrification of some kind. Most will have 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, which uses a small motor to boost efficiency, and the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models will feature a greater electric range than the current ones.
A bigger 23kWh battery is fitted in the new car – up from 13.5kWh in the current model – which will enable an electric range of up to 62 miles.
Engines will include a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol with 255bhp and 400Nm of torque and a 2.0-litre diesel that produces 261bhp and 550Nm. There will also be three plug-in hybrid models, two petrols and one diesel, which will use a 134bhp electric motor and a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
By sharing parts with the C-Class, the GLC has improved practicality, with the 600-litre boot around 50 litres bigger than its predecessor’s. The rear seats are more spacious, and extra kit including air suspension will be available.
The new GLC will borrow from the Mercedes S-Class in terms of look and feel, despite costing half the price. Mercedes will hope that helps sway buyers away from rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Lexus NX. The GLC won’t be short of competitors, as other cars like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Jaguar F-Pace are also vying for the business of customers looking for upmarket SUVs.
Mercedes is planning to introduce a raft of new models in the next couple of years, with everything from convertibles and off-roaders to MPVs and ultra-luxurious cars planned. Many of these will be electric, although the next GLC will still be on a platform that can only support limited electrification.
Mercedes GLC prototype review
Diesel still has a place in the Mercedes GLC, but sometimes you wouldn’t know the engine is there at all. That’s partly due to the effectiveness of the 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, which allows the engine to smoothly cut out to allow the car to coast on electric power alone. Additional sound proofing and the availability of double glazing further helps the car feel serene on the move.
Comfort was the order of the day – the last GLC majored in this aspect, and it looks like the new one will continue that trend. However, the new car also adds extra agility to the mix, with less body roll and a greater feeling of stability than the original
In fact, stability was a key focus of the car’s development, which has led to rear-wheel steering being offered for the first time on the GLC. The rear wheels turn up to 4.5 degrees – in the opposite direction to the fronts at low speeds, and face the same way at higher speeds. This not only allows a sharper turn-in in tight corners and greater manoeuvrability around town, it delivers more security in high speed corners.
Keyword: New 2022 Mercedes GLC SUV: next model shown undergoing winter testing