Auto Nation Group (ANG), the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the Philippines, recently brought in the new GLC 200 4Matic luxury hybrid SUV. ANG claims that the new GLC has raised the bar for luxury SUVs. True to its commitment to building the world’s most desirable cars, Mercedes-Benz continues to press ahead with its sustainable strategy, and the brand continually improves the quality of its products and services and keeps on adapting and diversifying.
“The new GLC is a culmination of years of dedication, passion, and innovation by Mercedes-Benz engineers and designers. The new GLC is bigger, sleeker, and sportier. It embraces its rough and ready personality in the 4Matic all-wheel drive system, and it promises an unparalleled driving experience that blends power and efficiency like never before,” said Frankie Ang, ANG chief operating officer.
Priced at P5.190 million, ANG claims that the new GLC carries the innovative design language first introduced with the new C-Class but in a luxury SUV form—from the exterior design characteristics to the seamless and extensively digitized interior wherein it can bring all these luxurious touches to a wider market.
Perfect proportions of a luxury hybrid SUV
“Ready for it!” is how the new GLC depicts its fresh look—a communication through its dynamic body proportions. It’s where comfort meets adventure, as how Mercedes-Benz describes it.
Avantgarde exterior
The chrome package highlights the LED high-performance headlights, radiator trim with dark grey louver with chrome overlay, and two-section LED tail lights, giving the perfect depth of perception.
Rollers are courtesy of 19-inch 10 twin-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in tremolite, matching what the brand aims to achieve. Dimension-wise, the latest generation model is 58mm longer with a 15mm longer wheelbase than its predecessor. Other exterior features are electropolished aluminum roof rails and electrically folding exterior mirrors.
Interior enhancements
Mercedes-Benz claims that the interior of the new GLC sets standards. Like the 12.3-inch instrument cluster display tilted towards the driver, the multifunction steering wheel, or high-quality trim elements. All seats, including the heated front, are eco-friendly Artico artificial leather complementing the cabin’s silver-grey diamond pattern trim.
The effortless driving experience is possible thanks to the natural voice command acknowledgment MBUX with “Hey Mercedes.” The 11.9-inch central display touchscreen has seamless Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections and is tuned with the Burmester 3D Surround Sound System with 15 speakers and a sound system output of 710 watts and 64-color ambient lighting. There is also a wireless charging system for mobile devices.
Other features are electrically adjustable driver and passenger seats with limited functionality, ambient lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror, boot comfort package, stowage space package, thematic automatic climate control, and Velour floor mats. The 620-liter open luggage compartment increases up to 1,680 liters of space with all rear seats folded down.
Mild hybrid
Motivation comes from a greener 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with EQ boost mild hybrid and 48-volt onboard power supply. Combined power is 204 hp and 320 Nm of torque. Transferring power to the wheels is a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission. For adventure seekers, there is the offroad mode via Dynamic Select. Shifting is done via Direct Select gearshift with steering wheel paddles.
Mercedes-Benz claims that fuel consumption, combined (liter/100km), is around 6.9 to 6.6 (around 14.5 to 15.2 km/liter). Combined CO2 emissions (g/km) are 186 and 167. The mild hybrid powertrain is Euro 6D-ISC-FCM emission standard.
Luxury hybrid SUV and pedestrian protection
The Active Parking Assist with ParkTronic and Active Brake Assist with Pedestrian Protection provides all-around and road guidance. While the Guard 360 ensures the vehicle’s security when parked. Standard features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS), acceleration slip regulation (ASR), belt tensioners with belt force limiters, and an electronic stability program (ESP). Moreover, there are driver and passenger two-stage deployment airbags and side bags. Window bags are for front passenger and rear passengers, knee bags for the driver, and Isofix child-seat mountings.
As for driver-assist functions and convenience, there is active brake assist, active lane keeping assist, brake assist system (BAS), hill-start assist, adaptive brake lights, flashing attention assist drowsiness detection, central locking (remote control with selective and global opening), cruise control with SpeedTronic variable speed limiter, Keyless-Go comfort package, reversing camera, Easy-Pack tailgate, and tire-pressure loss warning system. (Story, photos, and video by Randy Peregrino)