Hybrid in, diesel out for Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes-Benz has announced local pricing and specifications for the facelifted version of Australia’s most popular prestige model, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class SUV and Coupe.

The revised mid-size crossover line-up, which we drove in Europe earlier this year, now opens at $66,100 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 – the only rear-wheel drive variant in the range – which is up almost $4000 over its predecessor (from $62,300).

The first plug-in hybrid version effectively replaces the previous diesel variants and the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e wagon will cost $80,400 plus ORCs when it joins the range in the second quarter of 2020.

But at the top-end of the range are price cuts of around $4000 for the flagship Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S wagon and coupe.

The entry-level GLC 200 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with power outputs of 145kW/320Nm (up 10kW/20Nm) and fitted with a host of standard equipment including 19-inch alloy wheels, 64-colour ambient lighting options, Artico ‘pleather’, aluminium roof rails, LED headlights and a hands-free tailgate.

It also gets standard safety equipment including autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign assist, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, nine airbags and parking sensors.

Further up the line, the GLC 300 4MATIC adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, rear tinted windows, adaptive high beam and wireless phone charging, for $77,700 plus ORCs. The all-wheel drive 300 also gets more power from the same engine, with outputs listed at 190kW/370Nm.

For another $10K there’s the GLC 300 4MATIC Coupe ($87,700 plus ORCs), adding an AMG Line interior with sports pedals, floor mats and a Sports steering wheel as well as adaptive dampers, tyre pressure monitoring, air suspension and an AMG Line exterior pack.

The plug-in hybrid GLC 300e 4MATIC is only available in SUV form, with a 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder getting extra power from a 90kW electric motor to provide combined outputs of 235kW/700Nm -- enough to hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds.

A local fuel consumption rating for the PHEV has not yet been confirmed, but on the WLTP test cycle it's claimed to consume just 2.2L/100km. Powered only by its 13.5kWh lithium-ion battery, it will deliver a pure-electric driving range of 43km.

Charging time is two hours with a Mercedes-Benz wallbox, but as much as seven hours using a regular power outlet. Other features include pre-entry climate control and air suspension.

The facelifted GLC again comes in four Mercedes-AMG performance variants too – GLC 43 4MATIC SUV ($109,900) and GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV ($161,000), as well as Coupe variants of both, priced at $117,400 and $168,100 respectively.

In GLC 43 form, power comes from a 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo petrol engine paired to a SPEEDSHIFT nine-speed transmission. Standard gear includes a Burmester sound system, sunroof (panoramic for SUV), leather-trimmed and heated seats, air suspension, adaptive dampers, an AMG Night Package and more.

A 4.0-litre biturbo V8 is reserved for the flagship GLC 63, offering a stonking 375kW of power and 700Nm of torque, making it one of the world's quickest SUVs with a 0-100km/h time of just 3.8sec.

Paired to the same SPEEDSHIFT nine-speed transmission, the 63 adds larger brakes with red brake callipers, larger 21-inch AMG wheels, an AMG steering wheel, acoustic glass, Nappa leather upholstery, electronic limited-slip rear diff and active engine mounts. The exterior is also fitted with a range of AMG body styling elements.

A Driver Assistance Package is standard on every model except the base-spec GLC 200 (in which it’s a $2600 option), including evasive steering assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and active lane change assist.

Also on-board each variant is Merc’s MBUX multimedia display which includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch central touch-screen display with navigation, smartphone mirroring, digital radio, voice control and more.

How much is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
200 SUV -- $66,100
300 4MATIC SUV -- $77,700
300e 4MATIC SUV -- $80,400
300 4MATIC Coupe -- $87,700

How much is the Mercedes-AMG GLC?
43 4MATIC SUV -- $109,900
43 4MATIC Coupe -- $117,400
63 S 4MATIC+ SUV -- $161,000
63 S 4MATIC+ Coupe -- $168,100

* Prices exclude on-road costs