The upcoming, sleeker ‘coupe SUV’ version of the Mercedes-Benz GLC has been spied once again – this time at the Nurburgring.
Just like the previous generation, the GLC Coupe will go up against the BMW X4 and Audi Q5 Sportback.
The GLC Coupe doesn’t appear to be packing too many surprises, as on the outside it looks identical to its wagon counterpart up front, but has a sloping roofline down back.
This prototype is covered in a similar amount of camouflage as the previously spied GLC Coupe prototype from two months ago. It’s even painted the same silver colour and has the same alloy wheel design.
It’s expected the engines in the GLC Coupe will carry over from the wagon, which means there will be a range of four-cylinder turbo mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, mated with either rear- or all-wheel drive.
As recently reported, the GLC wagon will arrive in Australia during the second quarter of 2023 with just one engine option.
This singular option will be the GLC 300 4Matic petrol that packs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 190kW of power and 400Nm of torque. It’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive.
A 48V mild-hybrid system has a start-alternator producing 17kW and 200Nm, designed to deliver smoother start/stop and provide a jolt of extra power under acceleration.
A less powerful GLC 200 is available abroad, along with a pair of diesel engines, none of which will feature locally at launch.
Mercedes-Benz Australia also confirmed the trio of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options offered abroad in the GLC wagon won’t make the trip Down Under.
“For GLC and C-Class, we won’t be offering plug-in hybrid,” a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson told CarExpert.
“We’ve definitely seen a shift over the past few years,” the spokesperson said. “Especially as our EV portfolio has grown … [buyers want] either ICE or EV.”
Previously spied GLC Coupe prototype
Although our spy photographer weren’t able to capture any interior images of this GLC Coupe prototype, we’ve previously seen it appears to have no differences from the wagon.
The interior is largely inspired by the C-Class and has a 12.3-inch free-standing instrument cluster and a 11.9-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system.
This system runs the second-generation MBUX infotainment software with a voice assistant that can be triggered by the phrase ‘Hey Mercedes’.
It also includes special off-road menus and drive modes, as well as an optional “transparent bonnet” mode as part of the surround-view camera system.
There’s a new panoramic sunroof with a slimmer cross-strut in the wagon, an optional 15-speaker Burmester sound system, and optional multi-contour seats that have an extended massage function.
High-performance GLC 43 and GLC 63 AMG models are expected to follow this core GLC range at some point, with the latter adopting a turbocharged four-cylinder PHEV powertrain.
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