New Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe With Sleek Design Revealed, Takes Electrified Route For 2023

• 2023 Mercedes GLC Coupe revealed

• Boasts a sleek design, sloping roofline and a drag coefficient of 0.27

• Gets hybrid- and plug-in hybrid petrol and diesel powertrains

• Plug-in hybrid powertrains offer an electric-only range of up to 131km

• Cabin sports similar layout to its SUV counterpart

• India launch expected post arrival of GLC SUV

Mercedes-Benz has just taken the wraps off the new GLC Coupe which adopts the same design formula as the GLC SUV, but with a pinch of sportiness, thanks to the sloping coupe-ish roofline. There’s also a similar change beneath its bonnet, so let’s see what’s in store for the new German coupe from Stuttgart:

Design

The design is an evolution of the outgoing GLC coupe. The nose sports a very familiar grille setup to the conventional SUV but everything around it looks a lot sleeker. The headlight is sleeker than before and gets restyled elements inside it.

In profile, the sloping roofline is prominent, while the body-coloured wheel arches are neatly complemented by the 19- or 20-inch (optional) wheels. The rear too seems a lot sleeker, especially the taillights which rest on the angled upper part of the rear, just below the lip of the boot.

The new GLC Coupe doesn’t just look sleeker visually, it actually is sleeker on paper as well, even sleeker than its SUV counterpart, boasting a drag coefficient (Cd) value of 0.27 (GLC SUV: 0.30 Cd) 

Powertrains

The new GLC Coupe continues with both petrol and diesel powertrain options, but all of them have now been electrified and teamed to a 48-volt hybrid system (for the mild-hybrid powertrains) that are available in four variants: GLC 200 4MATIC, GLC 300 4MATIC, GLC 200 d 4MATIC, GLC 300 d 4MATIC. The mild-hybrid system assists the powertrains under heavy acceleration and offers additional torque of 200Nm.

The plug-in hybrid powertrains are also available with both petrol and diesel engines. Here, they are paired to a 31.2 kWh battery pack, which offers an electric (WLTP-claimed) range of up to 131km. There are three plug-in hybrid variants in total: GLC 300 e 4MATIC, GLC 400 e 4MATIC, and GLC 300 de 4MATIC. All powertrains come paired with an all-wheel-drive system.

A standard 11kW charger is offered with the plug-in hybrid models, while the optional 60kW charger can top up the battery in them in around 30 minutes.

Cabin and features

Where the GLC and GLC Coupe are nearly identical is the cabin. The GLC Coupe has been given the same cabin overhaul as the regular GLC with the 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system taking up the centre stage in what is otherwise a very simple and plain central console. Atop it are three squarish air vents and the 12.3-inch digital driver’s display can be seen behind the signature three-spoke Mercedes steering wheel. 

Also Read: Mercedes Cars To Get 5 Percent Price Hike In April: S-Class, C-Class, E-Class And EQS EV Among Models Affected

Apart from the aforementioned screens, the features list is made up of equipment like ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, heads-up display and an optional 15-speaker Burmester sound system. The safety kit includes multiple airbags, a 360-degree camera, and autonomous driving features like emergency braking, active steering assist and parking assist. 

India launch and rivals

The GLC Coupe is likely to arrive here after the launch of the new GLC SUV, which might happen sometime later this year. It is likely to carry a bigger price tag than the outgoing model and will rival the Porsche Macan.