Reviews
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It’s the kind of car that motoring journos love to hate, but even we find the GLC Coupe to have more than a few redeeming facets.
WHAT IS IT? The swoopier looking, marginally less practical version of Mercedes-Benz’s GLC wagon, for those who find the the regular five-door wagon just a little ‘inside’ the box.
WHY WE’RE DRIVING IT It made a good first impression when we first drove it on European roads, but that was without full knowledge of local spec or pricing. Now we have that info, we can get a better idea of how it stacks up against rivals, and how it deals with Aussie roads.
VERDICT Opting for swoopy SUV styling, in this instance, doesn’t mean the rear seats become useless or luggage room evaporates. And the price premium over the wagon is not daylight robbery, when the extra equipment included as standard is factored in.
PLUS: Striking profile view; composed dynamics; cabin quality; equipment levels up over wagon MINUS: Performance adequate, rather than scintillating; some tyre noise; reduced rear vision
In the case of the new Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, Mercedes-Benz has made it even harder for haters to point and sneer at compromised packaging. Yes, the dimension chart shows there is less headroom in the back compared to the GLC wagon. And yes, anyone around 6ft or over does have to duck like they are avoiding a fast bowler’s bouncer to avoid clonking their head as they enter under the arch of the sloping roofline. But that’s about where the negatives end. Once seated in the rear, there’s ample room. I’m an imperial 6 foot and my oversize bonce does not brush the roof lining. And with the front seat set to my driving position, I have no complaints about rear leg or foot room. As for the centre seat, a compact adult could cope just fine for a short hop. Rear shoulder and elbow room, for the record, are the same as in the wagon.
The Coupe’s initial three-model line-up spans a tight price bracket, opening at $77,100 for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d, stepping to $80,100 for the petrol GLC 250, and topping out at $82,100 for the GLC 250d. Later, we’ll see the GLC 43, with its potent twin-turbo V6, priced at $108,900. For our first local drive, only the full-strength GLC 250d and petrol GLC 250 were available, with the latter expected to take over half of all Australian GLC Coupe sales. So let’s touch on value, to address the “gouging you for less headroom” criticism which often gets directed at this category. At first glance, it does look that way, with prices around $11,000 higher than the same-engined wagons. Ah, “but” counters your friendly Merc salesperson, the Coupes get, as standard, AMG Line Bodystyling, 20-inch AMG wheels, and, importantly, Dynamic Body Control sports suspension, among other additional standard inclusions. Suddenly the adjusted price premium is more like $6000.
As for powertrain choice, the predictable outcomes apply. The petrol engine idles more quietly, feels zingier and more eager, but needs to be worked harder and drinks more. The 250d diesel has the muscle, and decent refinement levels, but is still a bit of a slogger compared to the best four-pot oil burners out there. Bottom line: teamed with the standard nine-speed auto, both are agreeable, efficient powertrains, if a little uninspiring when viewed in context of the sporty, AMG-clad exterior of the GLC Coupe.
Will owners notice or care? No, but for any who do want a more full-fruit experience to go with the fast lines, wait for the GLC 43 that’s coming February 2017.
SPECS Model: Mercedes Benz GLC 250 Coupe Engine: 19991cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo Max power: 155kW @ 5500rpm Max torque: 350Nm @ 1200-4000rpm Transmission: 9-speed automatic Weight: 1735kg 0-100km/h: 7.3sec (claimed) Fuel consumption: 7.4L/100km Price: $80,100 On sale: now
