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2016 Mercedes GLC Spied Testing on Banked Test Track in Stuttgart

Besides the revival of the Maybach brand, the biggest announcement made by Mercedes-Benz at the Los Angeles Auto Show was its new naming strategy, which is meant to de-clutter the range and make it abundantly clear what you're buying.
2016 Mercedes GLC 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Just like the BWM 3 Series and X3 share the number 3, the Mercedes C-Class and the replacement for the current GLK will share the letter C. That's right, it will be called the GLC and the similarities will go much further than that.

From the chassis, the engines and the gearboxes to parts of the interior and the active safety systems, the GLC-Class will borrow everything it can from the brand new W205 sedan and S205 estate (T-Model).

We've seen prototypes in various stages of development for over a year now and as the debut date nears, the sighting have intensified. This one is rather special though, as it's taken at the Mercedes Teststrecke in Stutgart. The famous banked portion of the circuit has been used by everything from huge busses to supercars.

If you want a clearer glimpse of the GLC, we have a second recent video taken by DrGumoLunatic in trafic.

The details

The GLC will be a direct replacement for the current GLK, which is expected to remain in production only in China for a few more yeas. The new SUV will be slightly bigger and will be based on the 2015 C-Class' MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform.

Most buyers will go for one of the many 2.1-liter diesel engines, which will range in output from 136 to above 200. However, Mercedes bosses have confirmed an AMG model is coming further down the line and could pack north of 400 horsepower courtesy of the 4-liter twin-turbo V8 from the C63.

The GLC's launch is expected to take place next September during the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. In a couple of years, Mercedes will also introduce a GLC Coupe model to tackle the grown popularity of th BMW X4.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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