Mercedes-Benz GLC

Dashboard of the new GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line is highly premium and sportily elegant. It is in a cascading style layout, adorned by the AMG Line trim.

Organised, the upper section has a wing-like profile with new, flattened round nozzles reminiscent of the engine nacelles of an aircraft.

Then, the lower section has a trim area that flows harmoniously into the curved metal-structure finished centre console.

A very posh yet edgy design, the dash combines Artico man-made black Nappa leather finish with metal structure trim panels as standard. 

Overall, the accessibilities are very driver centric and strategic, especially the high-end infotainment unit, which is driver-angled for convenience. 

Part of the MBUX Multimedia System, it features a 12.3-Inch fully digital instrument cluster (customisable layout) with a Head-Up Display (HUD).

The five-seater’s AMG Line interior comes in Artico man-made full-black Nappa leather upholstery as standard, with an optional two-tone Sienna Brown/Black hue.

Premium and comfortable, fitted in the front are sports seats with power adjustments, memory, heating and ventilation functions and a four-way lumbar support, 

Whereas, the rear seats come with an armrest, and feature a 40:20:40 split-folding (button-operated) function.

It offers generous head, shoulder and legroom, thus front and rear occupants get ample space. 

The space is generous due to the widely-scaled and bulbous design of the body, courtesy of 60 MM longer length and 15 MM wider wheelbase.

Installed is an AMG-designed steering wheel with four distinctive side spokes and a flat-bottom. It comes wrapped in black Nappa leather with silver trimming. 

It gets multi-switches with capacitive touch controls, galvanised paddle shifters, electric tilt and telescopic adjustments, and features Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS).

It has numerous storage areas including a big glove box, side door and back seat pockets, and a cavern space underneath the centre console’s armrest.

There are four cup holders, two located in the front centre console, and two in the rear. There are also four bottle holders, each located at the side door pockets.

Located at the centre console are two USB-C ports, a wireless charger, and one 12-V power socket. The latter is also present in the cargo area.

The car has a solid and durable build which gives practicality to the usage.

Weighing in at 1,925 KG, the new GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line stands at 4,716 MM long, 1,890 MM wide, 1,640 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,888 MM.

Adorning the AMG Line trim, it exudes a seamlessly solid and sporty exterior with a front end that’s commandingly strong in character.

Upgraded yet familiar, the bumper now has a more prominent A-wing profile, edgier corner air-curtains, black accents, and a new Mercedes-Benz patterned front grille.

Simple, sporty and elegant, the rear end features curvy smooth contours, and the AMG Line elements just accentuates the entire minimalistic layout.

It comes with a black trim running across the tailgate, chrome trim surrounding the exhaust finishers, and a new faux skid plate. 

Installed is a set of focused-looking and angular-shaped headlamps, subtly combining with the grille into a one-piece design.

It gets Mercedes’ Digital Light LED headlamps with a new Daytime Running Lights (DRL) light signature, and the Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus function.

The side mirrors are electronically adjusted and folded with turn- and blind spot-indicators.

Fitted is a setup of ventilated cross-drilled discs (front), and ventilated discs (rear).

It rides on a set of 20-Inch AMG multi-spoke, black with high-sheen finish light-alloy rims, wrapped in 255/45 R20 (front) and 285/40 R20 (rear) Continental EcoContact 6Q tyres.

The new GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line gets Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, Parking Package with 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Assist, and PRE-SAFE System.

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver and passenger, driver knee, front side, front and rear curtain), airbag auto-deactivation (front passenger), seat belts (reminder, pretensioner, anchor), ISOFIX, interior monitoring system, parking sensors (six-front, six-rear), 360-degree camera, Guard 360-degree Vehicle Protection, blind spot information system, tyre pressure monitoring system, TIREFIT, anti-theft alarm with preinstallation for collision detection, immobiliser, hill start assist, passive cruise control, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).

Drive modes available via DYNAMIC SELECT are Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual and Off-Road.

Audio is by a 15-speaker 710-W, Burmester 3D surround sound system. 

The new GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line harbours an M254 2.0-Litre, turbocharged four-cylinder 16-Valve, DOHC petrol engine, producing 258 HP/190-KW at 5,800 RPM and 400 NM of torque at 2,000 to 3,200 RPM.

Paired to the mill is a 48-V mild hybrid setup, utilising an electric Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG), providing an extra boost of 23 HP/17-KW and 200 NM.

Installed is a 9G-Tronic, nine-speed automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to all four wheels (4WD) via the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

It can go from 0 to 100 KM/H in 6.2 seconds and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 240 KM/H. 

It has a fuel tank capacity of 62-Litres, and a claimed combined fuel consumption figure of between 7.3- and 8.2-Litres per 100 KM (WLTP).

The new GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line has Keyless Go Comfort package with push-button start, Easy-Pack tailgate (contactless), Boot Comfort package, interior light package, heat and noise insulating acoustic glass, THERMATIC dual-zone auto-climate control, multi-function steering wheel, electric steering tilt and telescopic adjustments, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirrors, power adjustable with lumbar support and memory front seats, roller sunshades for both rear doors, load compartment package and luggage net, surround-view camera, six front and six rear parking sensors, rain sensing headlights and wipers, and auto high-beam. 

There are rear air-conditioning vents present in the rear cabin.

Courtesy of the Agility Control Suspension with Selective Damping System, its driving dynamic is firm and solid.

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

Good sound insulation with most of the NVH aspects accounted for. 

Part of the aero-acoustic measures used at reducing wind, tyre and road noise includes the installation of heat- and noise-insulating acoustic glass.

Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well, and make them barely noticeable even when cruising through bumpy asphalts.