Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe revealed, arriving this year

The recently updated GLC SUV’s coupe cousin has joined in for a mid-life facelift, toting new engines, better tech and smarter safety systems.

It gains the same design tweaks we’ve already seen – a shapely diamond-pattern grille split by the one louvre fin, full trim chrome elements, rectangular exhaust tips, new alloy wheel designs in a range of sizes and a new shade of grey called ‘magma’. And of course, that roof line continues to drop down over the rear in a blend of SUV function with sporty form.

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But updates to the 2019 GLC Coupe run deeper than pure cosmetic puff, with a range of new engines and technology bolstering it against rivals such as the new BMW X4 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

The interior cabin houses the same layout as before but with a new multi-function steering wheel for controlling the latest MBUX entertainment system. However, unlike newer generations of the three-pointed star’s models, it does not join two large widescreens together across the dash.

Instead, a 12.3-inch fully digital driver’s display sits inside the cowl, in place of a traditional needle-and-fascia binnacle cluster. A 10.25-inch central infotainment screen is the hub for MBUX, presenting graphics in a fairly dense 1920 x 720 resolution, while base models get a smaller 7.0-inch unit. Control of the system is via the updated touch pad, natural voice command (Hey, Mercedes!) or gesture control. Benz has also brought in its Energizing Comfort system that automatically adjusts the ambient lighting, music selection and message function seats to suit the mood.

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Active safety systems get a boost, with exit warning, emergency-corridor function and tail-end-of-traffic-jam all additions to the mid-life update. Also making an appearance is trailer manoeuvring assist that provides trailer-angle information via sensors in the ball head and magnetic ring. Active steering assist, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree birdseye view camera carry over.

All models available at launch feature the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and two-way adaptive dampers. Further suspension options are Dynamic Body Control with ‘infinitely adjustable dampers’ and Air Body Control that uses air suspension for an even softer ride.

The initial model line-up will consist of five four-cylinder engine options – two petrol and three diesel. The GLC200 and 300 gain the new 2.0-litre ‘EQ Boost’ engine with 48-volt belt-driven integrated starter-generator, producing outputs of 145kW/320Nm and 190kW/370Nm respectively. The electric motor provides only a mild 10kW of additional power but 150Nm of torque, reducing fuel use and helping achieve the claimed combined fuel consumption of 7.1-7.4L/100km.

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The three diesel options are all Euro 6d compliant, the new emissions standard which will come into effect from 2020. The 200d, 220d and 330d produce increasing outputs of 120kW/360Nm, 143kW/400Nm and 180kW/500Nm each. All engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and have a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.2-5.5L/100km (200d, 220d) and 5.8L (300d).

Though limited to a four-pot line-up initially, Mercedes will add further driveline options after launch.

Scheduled to hit the road in Europe soon, Mercedes-Benz Australia confirmed to Wheels that it expects the facelifted model to arrive in the fourth-quarter this year, after it launches the more conventional-looking GLC SUV in September.