Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 e 4MATIC AMG Line

Mercedes-Benz’s latest expansion in its luxury SUV portfolio, the new GLC 350 e, upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

A second-generation (X254) build, the Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) now stands as a sole model in the GLC line-up replacing the GLC 300 SUV.

Locally-assembled (CKD - Pahang), available is a single variant (GLC 350 e 4MATIC AMG Line), retailing at MYR 398,888 (OTR, w/o insurance).

Included is a standard vehicle warranty (four years/unlimited-mileage), and a main drive battery warranty (eight years/160,000 KM - PHEV).

Six (standard) exterior colours (Graphite Grey, Mojave Silver, Selenite Grey, High-tech Silver, Obsidian Black, Spectral Blue). Two (MANUFAKTUR) exterior colours (Diamond White Bright, Hyacinth Red).

The new GLC 350 e has a cascading-tiered dashboard design, linked to a high-rising centre console (deleted gear-shifter, retractable-cover stowage).

Highly-premium and -elegant, the layout is draped in soft-/hard-touch panels, blessed with the AMG Line Interior kit.

Nappa (Black) ARTICO man-made leather upholstery (dash, centre console, door beltlines) with contrast trimmings (High-Gloss-Black/Metal - centre console, doors).

Filling-in the space are the floating screen setups (MBUX - instrument/infotainment displays) and turbine-designed air-conditioning vents (Metallised).

Accentuating the layout is an ambient lighting system (Light and Sight Package - active - 64-colour), and AMG sports pedals (brushed stainless steel - black rubber studs). 

Overall, the build is well-designed, with accessibilities strategically-arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

Part of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (third-generation NTG 7), installed is a 12.3-Inch fully-digital driver display.

Features are three display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), multiple interfaces (drive modes, vehicle settings), and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

Luxurious, the five-seater continues the AMG Line Interior kit. ARTICO man-made leather upholstery (Black - seats) with optional two-tone hue (Sienna Brown/Black).

The front gets electric-powered (driver/passenger - multi-way/-contour, lumbar, driver-memory, active climate) Sports Seats. The rear gets a manual-operated (button - 40:20:40 split-fold) bolstered bench seat.

Included are armrests (front - centre console, rear - centre seat fold-out), panoramic glass sunroof (electric - tilt/slide), a fabric headliner (Black), window sun-blinds (pull-out - rear doors), and AMG floor mats.

Courtesy of its borderline bulbous build, the cabin offers ample interior mobility, providing the front and rear occupants with generous space. 

Adequately comfortable with sufficient head-, shoulder- and leg-room.

Mounted is a sports steering wheel, in a tri-rounded-twin-spoke-flat-bottom design, wrapped in Nappa leather (Black) and detailed with trims (Chrome).

Features are multi-switches (capacitive touch controls - media, vehicle settings), paddle shifters (Silver-Chrome), and electric column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). 

Aiding the drive is an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Practical storage spaces. E.g., a glove box, centre console caverned/partitioned spaces with under-stowage, and seat back/side door pockets.

Provided are four flex cup holders (two - front, rear), and four bottle holders (one - door pockets).

Equipped are multiple USB ports (front, rear - USB Package Plus), 12 V power sockets (front, boot), and one wireless charger (front).

The boot comes with the Easy-Pack Tailgate feature (handsfree - remote control/key fob, kick sensor, button).

Accessing its contactless function opens up to 470-Litres (rear seats up) of load space (1,530-Litres - rear seats down).

Also provided is the Load Compartment Package (side bags, luggage nets).

Tipping the scale at 1,925 KG, the new GLC 350 e stands at 4,716 MM long, 2,075 MM wide, 1,647 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,075 MM.

Elegantly-sporty, it exudes a seamlessly-solid and cleanly-shaped exterior with smooth contours and dynamic proportions.

The front-end sees Merc’s power dome bonnet (Mercedes-Benz emblem), flared quarter panels, a hexagonal grille, a vented bumper, and an under-guard (Chrome).

Accentuations are body claddings (Black - bumper, side sills, side mirror arms), running boards (illuminated, Aluminium, rubber studs), and side window surrounds/roof rails (Aluminium).

Fitted is the AMG Line Exterior kit (AMG Diamond grille - 3D Chrome Mercedes-Benz pattern - Matte Dark Grey single-louvre, AMG bumper - large corner/centre intakes - High-Gloss-Black surrounds - Chrome trims).

Curvaceously-sporty, it continues the dynamically-contoured silhouette with clean-cut lines and seamless joints.

The rear-end sees a straight-cut roofline, a roof-edge spoiler, flared quarter panels, a cascading tailgate (Mercedes-Benz emblem), and a bulging bumper (vented corners).

Accentuations are body claddings (Black - bumper, side sills, windshield surround), running boards (illuminated, Aluminium, rubber studs), and side window surrounds/roof rails (Aluminium).

Fitted is the AMG Line Exterior kit (AMG bumper - Black full-width diffuser - Chrome surround - Chrome-tipped exhausts, slit-like corner intakes).

Roundly-rectangular, the headlamps are housed inward-tilted, radiating a fierce outlook. Installed are Digital Light LED units.

Features are LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), automatic On/Off, projection function, Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus, welcome/leaving lights and dynamic turn signals.

Seamless and angularly-elongated, the wraparound tail lamps are housed in a horizontal Diamond design with three-dimensional light graphics.

Installed are full LED units. Features are welcome/leaving lights, and dynamic turn signals. Paired to the setup is a high-mounted brake light (spoiler-integrated).

The side mirrors (two-tone - Body-colour-Black) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust), with dynamic turn signals, blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor - BSM), and automatic-dimming (Mirror Package).

Equipped is a set of ventilated-cross-drilled (front) and ventilated (rear) disc brakes. Aiding the drive is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Aerodynamically-optimised, mounted is a set of 20-Inch AMG multi-spoke two-tone (Silver-Black - high-sheen) light-alloy rims, wrapped in 255/45 R20 (front) and 285/40 R20 (rear) Continental EcoContact 6Q tyres.

The new GLC 350 e features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistance Package Plus, grouped are Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Lane-Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, PRESAFE PLUS, PRESAFE Sound, Exit Warning Function, and Active Cruise Control with Stop/Go.

Under Parking Package, grouped are Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, and parking cameras (360-degree, reverse).

Others include Adaptive High-Beam Assist (AHA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety under GUARD 360-degree Vehicle Protection, grouped are Anti-theft Alarm system (ATA) with Collision Detection, interior monitoring system, and passive person presence reminder. 

Others include seven airbags (driver-passenger, driver knee, front side, front-rear curtain), airbag auto-deactivation (front passenger), seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX (anchor, top tether - rear outer seats), Door Opening Warning (DOW), automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior - Mirror Package), parking sensors (six - front, rear), parking cameras (360-degree, reverse), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, TIREFIT and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Multiple drive modes available via the DYNAMIC SELECT program (ECO, COMFORT, SPORT, INDIVIDUAL, OFF-ROAD).

Part of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (third-generation NTG 7), installed is a vertically-mounted (portrait) 11.9-Inch touchscreen central display.

System supports three display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), multiple interfaces (drive modes, vehicle settings), and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

Features are MBUX Interior Assistant (voice/gesture/steering controls), MBUX AR-Navigation, MBUX Navigation Premium, fingerprint scanner (MBUX custom drive settings), Mercedes-me Services, Live Traffic Information, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless). 

Audio is by the Burmester 3D surround sound system (710 W, 15 speakers).

The new GLC 350 e harbours a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.

Variant E 350 e AMG Line gets the plug-in hybrid, nestling a (M254) 2.0-Litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve turbocharged direct-injection DOHC petrol engine (204 HP/150 KW, 320 NM), and a rear-mounted electric motor (129 HP/96 KW, 440 NM).

Combined output reads at 313 HP (233 KW) of power and 550 NM of torque.

The setup is mated to a 9G-Tronic (nine-speed) automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to all four wheels, via Mercedes’ fully-variable 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. 

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 6.7 seconds, and top speed is 218 KM/H.

Fuel tank capacity is at 62-Litres, and the combined fuel consumption figure reads at 7.7 L - 8.4 L/100 KM.

Juicing-up the e-motor is a 25.4 KWH Lithium-ion battery (boot floor-mounted), enabling up to 131 KM of driving range (WLTP).

Charging via AC (Type 2 - 11 KW) takes two hours for a 0% to 100% State of Charge (SoC). DC charging not available.

The new GLC 350 e features these conveniences.

E.g., KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package (keyless access, engine Start/Stop button), Easy-Pack Tailgate (hands-free - remote control/key fob, kick sensor, button), Load Compartment Package (side bags, luggage net), Mirror package (automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors - exterior, interior), Light And Sight Package (64-colour/active ambient lights, illuminated door sills, exterior Mercedes-Benz surround lighting projection, interior LED lights), THERMOTRONIC dual-zone automatic climate control system (rear air-vents, air purification), electric-powered (driver/passenger - multi-way/-contour, lumbar, driver-memory, active climate) Sports Seats, armrests (front - centre console, rear - centre seat fold-out), window sun-blinds (pull-out - rear doors), panoramic glass sunroof (electric - tilt/slide), steering wheel (electric column adjustments, multi-switches, paddle shifters, EPAS), MBUX Multimedia System (MBUX Interior Assistant, MBUX AR-Navigation, MBUX Navigation Premium, MBUX custom drive settings), multiple power outlets (USBs, 12 V sockets, wireless charger), flex cup holders (four), interior monitoring system, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-beam), automatic wipers (rain sensing, intermittent), automatic-pinch windows (up/down), and speed sensing door locks.

Installed for the cabin is the THERMOTRONIC dual-zone automatic climate control system (rear air-vents, air purification). 

Propping-up the chassis is a multi-link (front) and air suspension (rear) setup (Comfort Suspension), incorporating the AGILITY CONTROL suspension (frequency selective dampers) system. 

The ride comfortability feels precise and firm at the same time, with overall drive tuned to provide complete stability and grip to the driver.

Overall, it is spacious and comfortable, suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, the ride quality is satisfactory. 

Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The build is acoustically designed to enhance the in-car ambience. 

Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, in most of the day-to-day driving environment.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 e is built with a sophisticatedly-solid appeal, offering style, space, practicality, and all-around luxury.

An all-rounder e-SUV, it offers both performance and comfort, while encapsulating passengers in a tech-inspired and luxuriously-appointed cabin.

Ultimately, offering more than just good looks, the new GLC 350 e also provides an absolute driving pleasure with its dual-natured drive.