The Mercedes-Benz GLC Facelift has been shown a week before the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. They’re bringing a number of big improvements to the popular premium compact SUV. The most important of which are the new design, equipment, more efficient new powertrain options, and advanced safety systems.
Design
The new GLC features the following:
- Chrome elements that run from the front to the rear end.
- Standard-fit LED High-Performance headlamps with the torch-design daytime running lights.
- A heavily contoured radiator grille with dynamically shaped double louvres and a diamond lattice.
- Rear bumpers, exhaust tips, LED tail lamps and chromed skid plate are new.
- Paint colours now include graphite grey.
- Four rim designs between 17″-19″ will be available.
Optionally, you can have the car with full-LED headlamp with MULTIBEAM technology. The AMG Line kit gives you a chromed diamond grille and the front apron with AMG-specific design, angular exhaust tips integrated into the bumper, sport seats with high side bolsters and rims between 19 to 20 inches.
The interior of the Base Line is finished in black, with trim options ranging from piano lacquer finish or the two new wood surface finishes: open-pore ash wood and walnut. The new multifunction steering wheel has two designs which feature Touch Control buttons. The centrally-mounted multifunction touchpad has support for multi-touch control and features haptic & acoustic feedback.
Equipment
This new GLC finally comes standard with KEYLESS-GO using the turbine-look start-stop button. Just like on the facelifted C-Class, the instrument cluster (12.3″) and infotainment (7″ or 10.25″) displays are kept separate.
An interesting ‘Interior Assistant’ feature uses a camera in the overhead control panel to identify whether its the driver or front passenger who’s operating the display. It will then change the image on the media display according, highlighting the most relevant options for either. The light in the overhead panel even follows the movement of the driver if he’s looking for something on the front passenger seat.
You can now use Navigation with Augmented Video, but this is an option. It uses a camera in the front of the rear-view mirror to capture the surroundings and give you information on the multimedia display that complements the video image.
MBUX is also featured with a revised version of their voice control assistant which can be triggered by saying ‘Hey Mercedes’.
DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL suspension with infinitely adjustable dampers for the front and rear axle is available. As is the Off-Road Engineering Package and the DYNAMIC SELECT system with expanded functions.
Powertrain Options
There are both petrol and diesel options, but we’ll focus on the former as it’s more relevant to our market. 4Matic is standard on both the GLC 200 (197hp/280Nm) and GLC 300(258hp/370Nm). Both feature the 2-litre, 4-cylinder M264 engines with a 10kW/150Nm electric motor and 48V system paired to a 9G-Tronic conventional automatic transmission.
Safety
Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steer Assist are the two key safety highlights on this new GLC, but here are some of the other features available:
- Active Speed Limit Assist with response to change in speed limit in conjunction with Traffic Sign Assist
- Route-based speed adjustment ahead of bends, roundabouts, toll plazas, T-junctions as well as before making a turn/exiting motorways/expressways – reduction of vehicle speed also for route event “tail end of traffic jam”, in conjunction with navigation
- Evasive Steering Assist
- Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist with turn-off and cross-traffic function PRE-SAFE® PLUS
