If you loved the old GLK-Class SUV from Mercedes- Benz, you might just be in a vast minority of drivers. For the most part the GLK seemed to be a bit of an ugly vehicle compared to the larger and more elegantly styled SUVs from Mercedes-Benz. It seemed strange for years that the GLK was built the way it was and looked kind of strange in comparison and finally Mercedes-Benz has done the right thing and brought the newest model of this lineup to the forefront with a new model to replace the GLK in the form of the GLC-Class SUV.
The GLC- gains its name from the C-Class structure that is found underneath and brings in a complete restyling to give us an SUV that does everything we want an SUV to do, go off road, provide lots of space, and (since it’s a Mercedes-Benz) be gorgeous in the process. As the smallest in the lineup this is not a great looking SUV that blends right in with the rest of the lineup to bring us an SUV that is both gorgeous and functional. The only real carry over from the old GLK is the low and long front hood but the rest of the vehicle has been updated and redesigned to be an attractive and functionally fantastic vehicle.
To start with the GLC is larger than the GLK was. Its two inches wider, five inches longer and a bit taller to give all who occupy the space inside more room to stretch out and get comfortable. The GLC can easily accommodate those who are at the six foot mark in height in any of the seats, allowing for plenty of comfort and both drive and ride positions that are enjoyable. The doors are larger as well, making it easier to get in and out of the vehicle, which is a huge improvement for this newly designed SUV.
Inside the cockpit of this vehicle the you will see recognizable features such as the center stack and touch dial to control the different features. These are in place to mimic the C-Class sedan that has been a leader in its segment for many years. With this look we see that the GLC becomes the big brother to the C-Class without even a thought the two might not really be related at all, certainly making the production much easier for Mercedes- Benz.
Even though this is a larger vehicle that ever before, the GLC is actually more than 170 pounds lighter than the old GLK. The majority of this change came from the body and chassis which where lightened by 110 pounds by using the higher strength steel that is thinner. There was also a generous amount of aluminum used on the suspension components to help reduce even more weight, bringing us a great new SUV that is lighter than the outgoing model which can only lead to better use of power and control from one of the world’s luxury leaders.
When we get the GLC in the US, which is scheduled for November, the GLC300 will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that came in with 241 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque which is the same as the C300 sedan. When you are ready to drive you can feel the smooth shifting of the amazing nine-speed automatic transmission that makes full use of the awesome engine aboard this SUV. As you might expect there will be a diesel engine as well which will be in the GLC300d which will come in the form of a 2.1-liter turbocharged BlueTEC diesel engine that already powers the E-Class sedan and brings in 195 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque makes for an awesome diesel model that can be give you the added power you desire.
Both of the powertrains offer both rear or all-wheel drive setups to give you the drive fell you need and allow you to go off road if that is a priority for you. Initially there will not be a plug-in hybrid model or the AMG model, but both are in the works and expected to be released and available for the 2017 model year.
When looking for a vehicle that will give you plenty of luxury features which will be fun to drive and make for a capable ride, the GLC is a fantastic choice. The features found in this new beauty will include the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, Designo upholstery, a variety of exterior colors, active lane keep assistance, a 360 degree camera, active parking assistance and many more make up the a great menu of awesome features. The 360 degree camera is really useful in off road courses where you will benefit from being able to see what is around the vehicle and make more informed judgements for your trek.
The pricing for the new GLC-Class will begin with the RWD coming in at $39,875 and the AWD will show up with a price of $41,875. Neither of these prices is astronomical compared to other comparably equipped luxury models. What you get for this great price is a newly designed luxury SUV that has the Mercedes-Benz name and all the amazing features they can offer on it. Having this SUV redesigned and renamed may be one of the smartest choices Mercedes-Benz has made in years, giving us a fantastic new SUV to enjoy the travel on and off road.
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