Mercedes-Benz unveils GLC Coupé at New York motor show

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the GLC Coupé, a sportier version of its recently launched GLC compact SUV, ahead of its public debut at the New York motor show.

Based on the regular GLC, that debuted in India at the 2016 Auto Expo, the coupé shares styling cues with the larger GLE Coupe, featuring the same sloping roofline that finishes off with a large liftback tailgate. 

The GLC Coupé is set to take on the likes of BMW X4, Porsche Macan and upcoming Jaguar F-Pace. It will initially be offered with the choice of a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 2.1-litre diesel in two different states of tune. While it shares its wheelbase and width with the regular-bodied GLC, it is 74mm longer, and also 39mm lower. The swooping roof has eaten into the GLC’s boot-space, reducing luggage capacity down by 59 litres to 491 litres. However, cargo space expands to 1,205 litres with the seats folded down.

Engine options for the European market include a 168bhp, four-cylinder diesel (GLC 220d),a 201bhp GLC 250d 4MATIC, a 208bhp four-cylinder petrol GLC 250 4MATIC, the 316bhp 2.0L petrol-electric hybrid GLC 350 e 4MATIC Coupé the 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol on the aforementioned GLC 43 AMG. A chest-thumping GLC 63 AMG, packing the C63 AMG’s 503bhp twin-turbocharged V8 is expected to join theengine line-up later. Some international markets will however receive the GLC Coupe in early 2017 with the option of a 241bhp 2.0-liter turbo-petrol badged the GLC300 4MATIC, and a 362bhp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 petrol on the GLC43 AMG 4MATIC. Both engines come mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

In addition to the basic steel spring arrangement, the GLC Coupé comes with the choice of two suspension set-ups with variable damping control, including a new steel spring Dynamic Body Control set-up and the Air Body Control system with air springs already available on the regular GLC. The Coupé also has a lower ride height than the GLC.

Inside, the GLC Coupé receives the same C-Class-sourced interior set-up as the GLC, including a 40/20/40 split/folding rear seat.

In an effort to broaden the model’s appeal, Mercedes says it will, in time, offer the GLC Coupé in rear-wheel-drive guise and with a six-speed manual gearbox, although only with selected engines.