- Mercedes is testing facelifted versions of its combustion GLCs.
- Both the regular SUV and Coupe models were spotted in Germany.
- Expect a bigger grille, star DRLs, and possibly a new dashboard.
Mercedes dropped an all-new GLC compact SUV at this fall’s Munich Auto Show, one featuring a full electric drivetrain for the very first time. But the brand wisely thinks there’s plenty of life left in the older combustion GLC and is giving it a makeover.
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BMW was thinking along similar lines when it revamped the ICE-stuffed X3 so it wouldn’t look out of place next to the new iX3 that debuted at the same time as the GLC400 with EQ Technology. But Mercedes’ changes to the combustion GLC aren’t as radical as what BMW did to its combustion X3 rival.
Related: Mercedes-AMG’s New GLC Is Going After Macan EV With Supercar Power
Where the BMW got a stack of sheetmetal changes to bring it into line with the iX3’s Neue Klasse design, Benz seems to be limiting its exterior GLC updates to the grille, bumpers, and lights. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be difficult to spot the new SUV, likely to arrive for MY27, from the old one.
Stars and stripes
For one thing, the refreshed GLC features the star-shaped front and rear DRLs Mercedes has been rolling out across its fleet after they first appeared on the back of the current E-Class for 2023. But the grille could be the biggest giveaway.
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It’s hard to see from these photos exactly what is going on at the front end under the camouflage, but the electric GLC introduced us to a new jumbo grille with horizontal bars that taps into Mercedes heritage, and we know the automaker plans to deploy it on most future models.
So we can probably expect to see a grille with a pronounced frame (the current ICE GLC’s grille barely has a surround), and one that extends much further towards the floor. Evidence of that in these images is that the circular Mercedes badge, though blanked, appears to be mounted lower down than on existing combustion GLCs.
Also possible, though not clear from these pictures, is the arrival of the full-width digital dashboard from the GLC EQ.
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The ICE and electric SUVs ride on completely different platforms, and the combustion GLC will rely heavily on hybrid power for its next chapter, including the high-performance AMG models. But the GLC63 will thankfully ditch the unloved 671 hp (680 PS) 2.0-liter PHEV powertrain it shares with today’s C63 sedan in favor of something with more cylinders.
A hybrid inline six from the E53 (currently rated at 603 hp /612 PS) is one possibility, though AMG is also working on a new flat-plane crank V8 that could really make the GLC rip.
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GLC Coupe
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