Mercedes’ GLC 220d forfeits a little bit of dynamics for luxurious. Not a foul compromise. Most Merc consumers are right here for that anyway.
We appeared ahead to our first chunk of one of the vital sought-after vehicles in Mercedes-Benz’s South African portfolio. They inform us that this new GLC is probably the most dynamic mannequin in its luxurious life-style SUV household. Is that actually true?
Effectively, every week with this GLC 220d was barely sufficient to get to comprehend it nicely sufficient, nevertheless it was ample to kind an opinion? This diesel mannequin shouldn’t be offered within the US, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a staple throughout the pond, however you may get a gasoline GLC 300 within the ‘States, so the remainder continues to be related. We by no means observed an enormous styling step ahead over the previous one in footage. However you definitely see the distinction within the flesh. New GLC codename X254 continues to be a cultured evolution. These optionally available Digital Mild headlamps join throughout its signature grille to emphasise its width.
We’d usually go on to explain the remainder of the have a look at this level however wait a minute. These optionally available Digital Mild headlamps are value a particular point out. Utilizing exact and dynamic revolutionary newest era headlamp expertise, they ship focused high-resolution mild distribution in keeping with native situations.
Lengthy Nostril GLC 220d Now Higher Balanced,
These are no doubt the most effective headlamps we’ve got ever pushed with. Not solely did they remind me of my previous rallying days operating a full darkish set-up that coated the entrance of my automobile with a gang of big lamps, however they’ll additionally stay on full bean and never dazzle different drivers. We’ve seen this energetic headlight tech for a variety of years, nevertheless it was at all times a bit flawed. This newest era is subsequent degree. It actually works!
Getting again to these seems, New GLC’s slippery 0.29Cd drag coefficient, vast observe, and this one’s flush, huge and daring wheels and a greater balanced, longer nostril contribute to a usually Mercedes pure design. 60 mm longer and 4 mm decrease, and simply as vast as earlier than, GLC rides on 6 mm wider entrance and 23 mm broader rear tracks. An extended wheelbase brings extra inside room, and a much bigger, auto shutting boot.
That styling class and purity spreads to GLC’s sturdier and tangibly higher constructed cabin. The brown-toned open-pored and black wooden veneered area even has actual aluminum LED ambient lit inlays. Merc’s newest spec multifunction steering wheel frames 12.3-inch ‘floating’ driver’s instrumentation on a wing-like sprint that includes plane type vents below a neat uninterrupted new optionally available panoramic sunroof.
A great deal of Tech. However Does It Pop?
One factor the New GLC has, is a great deal of tech. A major 11.9-inch high-resolution My-Mercedes LCD cartainment display dominates the sprint. It has all the required connectivity, smartphone integration and wi-fi charging too. Pity it’s all let down by these horrid contact buttons that carmakers appear to have embraced with none forethought or consideration how that truly work.
They don’t work. These sloppy, cumbersome, and poorly thought out cartainment options smash so many nice vehicles lately. Why change from old fashioned buttons and knobs, the Lord solely is aware of. Sadly, GLC is now one other to fall into that class. Additionally, an abundance of tech is nice. However it could actually grow to be overwhelming. For instance, augmented actuality navigation is cool, nevertheless it provides steerage too late. That makes it much less efficient than easy traces on a map.
The 217 HP 325 lb.-ft GLC 220 d 4Matic is a 48V gentle hybrid 2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel. It’s much less highly effective, however torquier than the US market GLC 300 4Matic, which prices ten p.c extra in our native market than the gasoline 300, which sells for $41,900 within the US. Just like the 300, this 200d additionally has an built-in starter-generator to allow gliding, increase or recuperation capabilities that function nearly invisibly because the e-motor easily and intelligently transitions with the combustion engine to make sure a effective stability between the 2. Good for a claimed 8 seconds 0-60 mph and 135 mph, Benz tells us that GLC 220 d sips 47 mpg.
GLC 220d is Extra Composed Than Dynamic
New four-link entrance, and multi-link rear impartial suspension has amplitude-dependent selective damping with speed-dependent, and electro-mechanical direct rack-and-pinion steering. Suspension is mounted in subframes for finest trip and noise consolation, with out compromising dynamics. Ours additionally had the optionally available Engineering bundle with degree management Airmatic air suspension and rear-axle steering. Braking is courtesy of vented discs with an electrical parking brake.
A extra intuitive newest era Driving Help bundle Plus provides Energetic Steering and Distance Help Distronic. GLC additionally beneficial properties higher filth manners because of a brand new off-road driving mode with downhill velocity regulation and a clear bonnet assistant within the central show.
Our transient time with it was sufficient to indicate New GLC’s nice trip high quality off. It’s snug, but nonetheless offers good suggestions from the street. Extra luxurious than dynamic nevertheless, the brakes are additionally a bit spongy. As we’ve got come to anticipate from Mercedes, the GLC 220d was each faster and extra economical than claimed. We managed nearer to 50 mpg, slightly them mid and the numbers beneath communicate for themselves.
Respectable on Grime. Luxurious on Tarmac
Respectable sufficient on the filth, one wants to show the nannies off to get the most effective out of it, as they intrude a bit an excessive amount of. It’s additionally just a little too wallowy for our liking off the overwhelmed observe, however it’s general greater than succesful to enterprise off the tarmac infrequently. Tremendous easy, luxurious, and comfy on the bitumen, this automobile is a kind of constructed for consolation, slightly than speeding about like a maniac. So, to say it’s that dynamic, could also be a bit an excessive amount of of a boast.
The brand new GLC nevertheless brings new ranges of digitalization to an environment friendly bundle to ship a welcome shot of pleasure and novelty to a massively fashionable Mercedes-Benz sport ute. True, however as JD Energy says of most trendy vehicles right this moment, its cartainment might be complicated, complicated, and sometimes difficult to make use of. One factor that definitely is subsequent degree, are these headlamps. Be certain to tick that possibility field on yours, regardless of how a lot it provides to the value.
Daring & Luxurious. What Merc Homeowners Need
Daring and opulent, this new Mercedes GLC definitely is. Additionally they say that this one is dynamic. In actuality nevertheless, this automobile forfeits a little bit of that for supreme trip and really feel. Not a foul compromise. Most Merc consumers are right here for that luxurious anyway.
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d 4Matic Avantgarde
Engine: 217 HP 325 lb.-ft 2-litre turbodiesel I4 gentle hybrid
Drive: 9-speed computerized AWD
TESTED:
0-40 mph: 3.35 sec
0-60 mph: 7.71 sec
0-100 mph: 19.23 sec
¼-mile: 15.4 sec @ 91 mph
50-75 mph: 5.33 sec
75-100 mph: 8.66 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 135 mph
Gasoline: 47 mpg
Vary: 730 miles
RATED: 8
Photographs: Giordano Lupini
