The slick-looking new Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV has arrived in Ireland, and it's going to have a starting price of €80,310.
More standard equipment
That will get you a 220D diesel version with four-wheel drive and AMG Line Plus equipment levels. Hopefully, more affordable rear-drive and lower-spec models will be available in due course. Interestingly, Mercedes Ireland says that the just-announced prices are valid only through the end of February, which shows you just how volatile the car market is right now (and in fairness, that price does include €16,703 of extra standard equipment compared to the previous GLC model.)
The diesel version might also be the minority interest model, as the GLC is now coming with an improved plug-in hybrid offering, which promises a potential range of up to 129km on a full charge of their 31.2kWh battery packs (that's the same size pack as the much bigger, more expensive Range Rover offers.)
Three plug-in hybrid versions
The most affordable plug-in hybrid GLC is the 300e model, which costs from €91,510 and, as with all the new GLC models in AMG Line Plus form, comes with standard equipment that includes a nine-speed automatic gearbox, 19-inch alloy wheels, high-performance LED headlights, privacy glass, 64-colour ambient lighting, man-made Artico leather dashboard finish, an 11.9-inch 'MBUX' touchscreen in the centre of the dash, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, hard-disk navigation, blind spot monitor, wireless phone charging, and electric memory front seats.
You can upgrade to a more powerful GLC 400e plug-in hybrid for €95,465 or a super-frugal diesel GLC 300de plug-in hybrid for €93,250.
Bigger than before
Don't want a hybrid? Then aside from the base diesels, there's also a petrol-powered four-cylinder turbo GLC 300 for €94,945 (although it and the two diesel versions also have 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, so you can't get away from hybrid power completely).
The GLC is bigger than it used to be (to allow a little more wiggle room for the more affordable GLB, no doubt) and is 60mm longer, with more width between the wheels. The boot is bigger, too, at a very useful 600 to 620 litres (although that falls to 400 litres for the plug-in hybrid versions). In spite of being bigger, it's more aerodynamically efficient than before, with a coefficient of drag of 0.29Cd.
Optionally, you can get scented air-conditioning, with what Mercedes calls 'an individual, subtle interior fragrancing experience' fed to the cabin through the three dash-centred vents to deliver 'improved air quality and a greater sense of well-being, all adjustable according to personal preference and mood.'