Next-gen Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé arrives with 671bhp

Mercedes said it provided the new SUV with higher quality materials in a conscious bid to raise perceived luxury and comfort. 

Among the options is a new head-up display, a panoramic glass roof and a Burmester 710W surround-sound system with 15 speakers.

The longer wheelbase and an extended rear overhang serve to provide the GLC Coupé with an added 45 litres of boot capacity at 545 litres in the petrol and diesel models and 390 litres in the plug-in hybrids. This can be extended to a respective 1490 litres and 1335 litres when the rear seats are folded down. By comparison, the GLC SUV offers up to 600 litres of luggage space, extending to 1680 litres with the rear seats folded.  

There are two petrol and two diesel GLC Coupés, all featuring mid-hybrid properties (for an added 148lb ft of torque under acceleration), a nine-speed automatic gearbox and 4Matic four-wheel drive as standard.

The line-up begins with the petrol-powered GLC 200 4Matic and GLC 300 4Matic, which deliver 201bhp and 255bhp respectively. They're joined by the diesel-powered GLC 220d 4Matic and GLC 300d 4Matic, with 194bhp and 266bhp.

The three plug-in hybrids are the petrol-electric GLC 300e 4Matic and GLC 400e 4Matic, which boast combined outputs of 308bhp and 375bhp, and the diesel-electric GLC 300de 4Matic with 329bhp.

The PHEVs use a 31.2kWh battery, providing them with electric-only ranges of between 74 and 81 miles for the petrol-electric models and between 70 and 81 miles for the diesel-electric one.

Also planned are successor models to performance division AMG's GLC 43 4Matic and GLC 63 4Matic+, with up to 671bhp.

The new GLC Coupé is underpinned by the same four-link front and multi-link rear suspension as the GLC SUV and C-Class.

Unlike the C-Class, though, it offers the option of Airmatic air suspension (standard on the PHEVs) with variable damping control. There's also a new rear-wheel steering system providing up to 4.5deg of steering angle to the rear wheels.

As before, the GLC Coupé will be sold with an optional Off-Road Package. This includes a dedicated off-road driving mode, a downhill speed regulation (DSR) function and a 360deg camera offering a so-called ‘transparent bonnet” in which a graphic within the infotainment system shows a virtual view underneath the front of the car, including the angle of the front wheels.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé prototype ride impressions

Shortly before the new GLC Coupé was unveiled, we were invited to ride along as Mercedes' test engineers put the final miles on lightly disguised pre-production prototypes of the Audi Q5 Sportback and BMW X4 rival, which predictably boasts many of the same developments brought to its more upright Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV sibling launched late last year.

“The emphasis hasn't changed a lot. We've once again developed the GLC Coupé to be the more dynamic model in the line-up. The difference between it and the GLC SUV isn't great, but it is subtly more sporting in terms of driving characteristics," says Peter Kolb, head of development for Mercedes' mid-size cars, as we head out of the Immendingen test centre onto public roads.

“The steering is more direct than before,” says Kolb. “With the addition of rear wheel steer, we have a smaller turning circle. This makes it more manoeuvrable in urban driving. But at the same time, it also provides added agility out on the open road.”      Right now, we will have to take his word for it. But from the passenger seat, the new GLC Coupé gives the impression of being quite responsive and wieldy. 

There is an imbibing maturity to the handling and overall dynamic properties of the new Mercedes. Body lean is well controlled during all-out cornering, as is pitch and dive under acceleration and braking. In this respect, it feels to have progressed beyond its predecessor, with agreeably composed qualities out on the open road.