Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
Mercedes-Benz is almost ready to leave the GLK behind after two generations and move on to the GLC. The German automaker has decided to show us most of the crossover’s design, so their prototypes now wear minimal camouflage.
As you can see in the image gallery bellow, the GLC will have a very refined appearance. Come to think of it, the looks have never been the BMW X3’s top asset, while Audi’s design matrix limits the Q5, so the GLC seems to have a proper battle plan. Moreover, we’re expecting a boost during the first model years - while the GLC will be all-new, the X3 and the Q5 are mid-cycle revamps.
The vehicle will grow both in terms of wheelbase and tracks, so expect a roomy interior. As any model launched after the S-Class, the GLC will follow the flagship sedan's cabin styling cues.
Speaking of Affalterbach, while the rumor mill points to a Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 powered by the monster mentioned above, we’ve had no clear sign of this yet.
Regardless, the line-up will include a GLC 450 AMG Sport, which will be animated by a twin-turbo 3-liter V6 delivering 362 HP (367 PS).
Since Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the order books will open on September 12th, it means we’ll get to see the GLC in person at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
An upmarket move
Then again, when you’re planning a bit of an upmarket move altogether, you have to back this up with an appealing design. Now that the A-Class-based GLA has arrived, the GLC will grow compared to the GLK in order not to cannibalize the first. In fact, as we mentioned back in April, we expect the GLC to be larger than the first-generation Mercedes-Benz ML.The vehicle will grow both in terms of wheelbase and tracks, so expect a roomy interior. As any model launched after the S-Class, the GLC will follow the flagship sedan's cabin styling cues.
Under the hood
Based on the platform of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the GLA will also borrow most of the sedan’s engine range. The C-Class offers a truly complete engine line-up, which ranges from Renault-borrowed 1.6-liter diesels in Europe to a 503 HP (510 PS) 4-liter twin-turbo V8 that’s very close to the engine used in the Mercedes-AMG sportscar.Speaking of Affalterbach, while the rumor mill points to a Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 powered by the monster mentioned above, we’ve had no clear sign of this yet.
Regardless, the line-up will include a GLC 450 AMG Sport, which will be animated by a twin-turbo 3-liter V6 delivering 362 HP (367 PS).
The timetable
We have less than one month to wait in order to meet the GLC, as the German carmaker will introduce the crossover on June 17. While readers from right-hand-drive markets tended to shy away at this point, since the GLK wasn’t offered in such trim, the GLC will change this.Since Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the order books will open on September 12th, it means we’ll get to see the GLC in person at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
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