Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday unveiled a redesigned GLC-Class for the 2023 model year.
The new third generation of Mercedes small crossovers has an evolutionary look but the technology has been greatly improved.
The vehicle has also grown slightly, now measuring about 2.4 inches longer (185.7 inches overall length) than its predecessor, which according to Mercedes has more space for both passenger and storage.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
The ratio has also changed somewhat. The hood has been extended and the roof line has been lowered. The rear haunches are also more pronounced. The changes add to a car that looks smoother and sportier than the current GLC-class.
The new GLC-Class is built on the same platform as the redesigned 2022 C-Class, although a version designed specifically for high-riding models. It is an updated version of Mercedes’ MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform that underpins the current GLC-Class, which saves significant weight primarily through the increased use of aluminum over steel. According to the automaker, the updates make the new GLC-Class the most dynamic SUV in Mercedes.
The car will initially be offered here in the US with rear-wheel-drive GLC 300 and all-wheel-drive GLC 300 4 matic grades. In both cases the powertrain is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 9-speed automatic transmission. And associated with light-hybrid technology. The engine itself delivers 258 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, a motor-generator combined with a transmission capable of adding about 23 hp and 147 lb-ft, as well as recovering power under braking. For both GLC-class grades you see 0-60 mph acceleration and a controlled maximum speed of 130 mph in 6.2 seconds.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
A more powerful AMG option is coming with a 4-cylinder engine in a hybrid configuration. This will again include a GLC 43 and GLC 63 A GLC-class coupe body style should also come
Inside the cabin, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster driver is welcomed as standard. It is paired with an 11.9-inch screen in the center stack that serves as the hub for a second-generation version of Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system.
Other new technologies, standard or available, include Matrix LED headlights with projection function, navigation that displays home numbers and offers augmented reality, and a special off-road menu with drive mode that offers transparent hood technology. It uses a car-around-view camera system to film the front of the car and then display a virtual representation of the driving lane based on the current steering angle on the central display. Mercedes did not say whether the transparent hood would be available in the United States
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
A dashcam recorder will also be on offer. It uses a forward-facing camera mounted on the windshield to record what’s happening on the road ahead, including speed and time information. Thus the recorded information can be used to protect a driver in the event of an accident.
Mercedes is also building the latest suite of electronic driver-assisted features in the new GLC-class. According to the automaker, some of these are able to respond to impending collisions according to the demands of the situation. There’s also a feature to help you stay in your lane at speeds of up to 130 miles per hour, as well as a feature that will respond to stationary vehicles at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. The traffic sign recognition system has also been updated to recognize more types of signs, including overhead structures and construction zones, while automated parking systems provide better, more intuitive support thanks to improved sensors.
Availability and pricing information will be announced at a later date.