Review
Mercedes GLC Coupe
The Mercedes GLC Coupé connects two seemingly opposite worlds. It has become the combination of the powerful shape of an SUV with the sporty look of a Coupé. A design that we like all too well. We did the test using the GLC 250d 4MATIC Coupé.
Dynamic looks
Mercedes is certainly not the only brand that tries to cross an SUV with a Coupé, but in our opinion it is the brand with the best result. The GLC Coupé shares the basic architecture with the GLC, but is almost eight centimeters longer and four centimeters lower. The look at the front is dominated by the diamond grille with central star and 1 slat. At the rear we see horizontally oriented taillights and a sloping roofline. All this in combination with the broad shoulders give the GLC Coupé a very dynamic and sporty appearance. Mercedes has managed to balance the design of an SUV and coupe in a harmonious and aesthetic way.
Sports suspension
To underline the sporty character of the GLC Coupé, it was fitted with a sports suspension as standard. This includes Dynamic Select with five transmission modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and individual). You can also optionally choose Dynamic Body Control. This is a steel adjustable chassis that can sensitively change the feel of the car via the Dynamic Select switch. In comfort the car feels very soft and comfortable and in Sport or Sport+ very stiff and sporty. It’s like driving two different cars. Our test car was also equipped with the optional Air Body Control air suspension system. The damping adapts to each wheel in every driving situation and you can adjust the damping more comfortably or sportily based on your needs. Certainly an option that we would check.
Motorizations
The GLC Coupé is available in three diesel variants. The entry-level car is a 220d 4MATIC with 170 hp from 50,941 euros. Then you have the 250d 4MATIC with 204 hp from 52,514 euros. The most powerful diesel is the 350d 4MATIC with 258 hp at 58,927 euros.
If you are looking for a petrol version, the entry-level model is the 250 4MATIC with 211 hp from 50,215 euros. The top version is the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupé with 367 hp from 68,728 euros.
There is also a 350 e plug-in hybrid with a system power of 320 hp from 59,290 euros.
All models have 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive and are equipped with a 9G-TRONIC PLUS automatic gearbox, except the hybrid. This has a 7GTRONIC PLUS automatic gearbox, optimized for hybrids.
GLC 250 d 4MATIC Coupé
We did a test drive with the GLC 250 d 4MATIC Coupé. It has a diesel engine with four cylinders and a capacity of 2,143 cc. In addition to a power of 204 hp, it has a max. torque of 500 Nm. The 250d accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 222 km/h. The steering of the GLC Coupé feels very smooth, just as if you were driving a station wagon. The driving experience is dynamic and pleasant, without being really sporty. The nine-speed automatic transmission does its job well. This shifts up and down smoothly and ensures that you are always in the right gear.
Safety
The GLC Coupé is equipped with a number of driver assistance systems that are standard or optional and that increase comfort and safety. The GLC Coupé has, among other things, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, crosswind assistant, driving light assistant and the concentration assistance system ATTENTION ASSIST as standard.
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS is a safety system that works in several phases. Initially, the system will visually warn the driver as soon as the distance to a leading vehicle becomes too small. If there is a risk of collision, the system will warn the driver with an audible signal. The system will therefore support the driver when braking by building up extra braking pressure in order to avoid a collision. If the driver does not respond, the system itself will significantly reduce the car’s speed. In this way the driver is warned again. Autonomous braking is available for moving objects up to 105 km/h. The system can thus avoid a collision at low speeds.
Conclusion
Visually, the GLC Coupé is a bull’s-eye in our opinion. It looks cool and sporty at the same time, but still sufficiently elegant. Driving is very smooth and pleasant and personally we would certainly opt for the optional Dynamic Body Control and the optional Air Body Control air suspension system. That makes the car even more versatile.
Johan De Haes
Test driver
