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Mercedes-Benz GLC – a premium package
MAKING up time can turn into a panic measure for manufacturers of some popular items.
Those operations, however, tend not to possess the pedigree, expertise and must-have image of Mercedes-Benz.
Take the German brand’s GLC as an example. This second generation of the mid-size SUV from the Benz boys has come up against some stiff opposition from prestige rivals like BMW and Audi, let alone the likes of Jaguar, Land Rover and Alfa Romeo.
But it has once again succeeded in combining exceptional engineering and refinement with a strong family of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.
And given buyers an interesting extra choice to boot.
Based on the successful C-Class, the GLC is split into two separate bodystyles – SUV and Coupe.
Our tested model was the SUV, for which Mercedes has stuck rigidly to a five-seat strategy, preferring to provide owners with plenty of luggage space rather than an extra pair of occasional seats.
If the coupe variant is an eye-catching vehicle with a sleek body and featuring a single louvre front grille and sloping roof line, the SUV is a stand-out model in its own right.
Its cabin is trademark Mercedes with heavy duty plastics, comfortably firm seats, strong switchgear and that overall feeling of prestige that Benz fans have grown to expect.
Also included is the latest Mercedes infotainment set-up, while adding a Premium Plus Package – admittedly for an extra £2,995 – brings the likes of Comand Online with 8.4-inch media display, panoramic glass sunroof, ambient lighting and Burmester surround sound.
As for the boot, you get a 550-litre capacity – slightly more than with the coupe bodystyle – which is sufficient for most family outings, and there’s underfloor storage too. The tailgate also opens and closes electrically.
Beneath the bonnet is a family of four and six-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, while all-wheel drive and automatic transmission is standard on every model.
Opt for the GLC 250 and you get a 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine developing 211bhp and mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.
There’s plenty of punch when you need it from a car that’s smooth and refined to drive, though the company’s practice of having a steering column-mounted gear selector takes some getting used to.
Near silent and polished, there’s a precise feel from the leather flat-bottomed speed sensitive steering and Air Body Control suspension (a £1,495 option) can be set for a comfortable or more sporty drive.
It means the car floats over bumpy or broken surfaces and while heading off-road isn’t one of the GLC’s major selling points, you do get the company’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive system along with dynamic driving modes.
Safety and security features are countless, stuff like Active Parking Assist, collision prevention, adaptive brake lights, attention assist and a reversing camera all standard.
Paying £1,695 more adds extra features including for lane keeping and blind spot assistance.
That said there’s plenty in the standard spec – heated front seats, black ash wood trim, leather upholstery, privacy glass and 19-inch alloys to ensure the SUV remains an attractive proposition – one oozing with distinction and quality.
- SPEC CHECK
- MAKE Mercedes-Benz.
- MODEL GLC 250 4MATIC AMG Line.
- ENGINE 1,991cc, 4-cyl petrol.
- POWER 211bhp at 3,000-4,200rpm.
- PERFORMANCE 0-62 in 7.3 secs, top speed 138mph.
- ECONOMY 30.1mpg Urban, 42.8 Extra Urban, 37.7 Combined.
- CO2 EMISSIONS 174g/km.
- BiK RATING 37%
- INSURANCE Group 33-34 (1-50).
- PRICE £41,185 on the road.
WHAT’S HOT
- Style, image, precision, dynamics.
- WHAT’S NOT
- Premium price.
- RATINGS {Out of 10}
LOOKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
RIDE AND HANDLING . . . . 9
PERFORMANCE . . . . . . . . . .9
VALUE FOR MONEY . . . . . .8
