Mercedes-Benz has revealed its latest generation of GLC Coupe, the slope-backed version of the GLC SUV.
Electric range of over 130km
This time around all models in the GLC Coupe line-up use hybrid power of some description, either with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology or a plug-in hybrid with as much as 131km of electric range on a full charge.
The 31kWh battery of the plug-in hybrid versions, which are likely to be the most popular models in Ireland, can be fast-charged from a DC public charging point at up to 60kW power, allowing you to top up to 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes. The PHEV system allows for 11kW AC charging, so you can make good use of kerbside charging points, too.
Mercedes also claims that its regenerative braking system is highly effective, able to hit a peak of 100kW of power being returned to the battery.
Buyers will be able to choose from two petrol plug-in hybrids - the GLC 300 e and 400 e - and a single diesel-fuelled plug-in hybrid badged GLC 300 de, all with 4Matic four-wheel drive. CO2 emissions start from as little as 10g/km.
The mild-hybrid models include petrol GLC 200 and 300 versions and two diesels - GLC 220 d and 300 d - again, all with 4Matic four-wheel drive.
Rear-wheel steering
Unsurprisingly, the GLC Coupe carries over the suspension and mechanical package of the standard GLC, and that means you get optional all-round air suspension as well as a rear-wheel-steering system that turns the back wheels by up to 4.5 degrees, making the GLC Coupe more agile in town and more stable on the motorway.
The car's electronic assistance systems include a new, more accurate digital parking assistant, which can remember frequently used manoeuvres and geo-tag them for later use. The 360-degree camera system also has a 'transparent bonnet' function supposedly for off-roading, but which let's face it is more likely to be used for tricky parking spots. Potentially just as useful is the electronic trailer assistance system.
Sleek aerodynamics
On the outside, the Mercedes GLC Coupe is 31mm longer and 5mm taller than the previous model, but it is much slicker through the air - the new GLC Coupe has a coefficient of drag of just 0.27, an exceptional number for a tall SUV.
The styling picks up from where the current and previous GLC left off. The rear styling, especially around the brake lights, is a little smoother than that of the old GLC Coupe, but otherwise it's a gentle evolution rather than a reinvention.
Inside, the cabin is borrowed from both the current GLC SUV and the C-Class, so you get a digital driver's instrument panel and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen reclining on the centre console. The MBUX software comes with lots of connectivity options, including connecting remotely to your phone via an app and allowing you to access vehicle functions (and monitor charging for the PHEV models) remotely. There's also a built in, voice activated 'tour guide' that can help you find and learn about all of the various digital features.
The boot, in spite of the sloping rear, is quite practical for the mild-hybrid models with 545 litres of luggage volume.
Irish pricing for the new Mercedes GLC Coupe starts at €87,035 for the 220 d variant and the configurator on the Mercedes Ireland website is already in place.