Mercedes-Benz India has launched a direct rival to compete against the likes of Audi Q5 and BMW X3 at the Auto Expo 2016 in early February and today it has officially entered the Indian luxury market for a price range starting from Rs. 50.7 lakh for the GLC 220d variant and Rs 50.9 Lakh for the range-topping GLC 300 version (both, ex-showroom Pune prices).
Positioned between two of the top selling SUVs, the GLA and the GLE, the opulent GLC model has similarities in appearance to that of the German manufacturer’s best-selling C-Class sedan that propelled them to leading position among all other luxury car makers in India last year and it is more likely to retain the coveted spot in 2016 as well.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has been well acclaimed worldwide and it will be brought into the country as CBU (Completely Built-up Unit) imports and its pricing in the Indian luxury SUV space compared to its rivals is competitive. It has been made available across the number of Mercedes showrooms spread throughout the country instantly.
It is identical to the C-Class in plenty of ways. The luxury SUV not only has similar exterior styling to the C-Class sedan with a sleek front fascia fitted with LED Daytime Running Lights but comes adorned with almost the same interiors with additional equipment list to pronounce the capabilities of the large Utility Vehicle. It features affluent cabin and sumptuous items on the dashboard and centre console.
It potent SUV comes equipped with aluminium finished buttons and dials, leather upholstery and a three-spoke steering wheel, circular air conditioning vents, COMAND Online touchscreen infotainment system, Burmeister audio system, etc. The new SUV measures 4,656 mm in length, 1,644 mm in height, 2,096 mm in width and has a wheelbase of 2,874 mm. The boot space is claimed to be 550 litres and it can be expanded to 1,600 litres.
The carefully sculpted bodywork resulted in a drag co-efficient of just 0.31 Cd and there are five driver modes that can be chosen based on the requirements. In addition to a slew of safety and driving assistance technologies, the GLC SUV has variable damping suspension system to see off different types of terrain and tarmac conditions and several electronic aids to enhance ride quality and handling nature of the luxurious 4×4.
The replacement to the GLK SUV is propelled by a 2.1-litre four-cylinder unit pumping out a highly desirable 170 bhp of maximum power output and 400 Nm of peak torque on the 220d. The GLC 300 will feature a 1,991cc, turbocharged petrol motor that churns out 245 bhp of max power and 370 Nm of torque and it will appeal to a huge host of buyers in Delhi-NCR. The petrol can do 0-100kmph in 6.5 seconds while the diesel in 8.3 seconds. The powerful petrol motor can hit a top speed of 222 kmph and the diesel can do 210 kmph.
Both the motors will be coupled with a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox with 4Matic all-wheel drive system available as standard. What won’t be offered, however, are an even more powerful version present in the GLC 350 with 3.0-litre petrol V6 mill and a plug-in hybrid 350e variant with an additional electric motor providing better fuel economy.
Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV Image Gallery
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