All-New Mercedes GLC Coupé Finally Enters Market and Fights off BMW's X4

At 1.6 metres high, the Mercedes GLC Coupé is slightly shorter than the BMW X4 and a fair bit shorter than the regular GLC. It's also 8 cm longer than the regular GLC despite sharing the same wheelbase, which helps give it the coupé-esque look Mercedes was aiming for.

The A-pillar is more gently raked, which when combined with the short overhangs and sharp spoiler lip similar to that of the S-Class Coupé, makes the GLC Coupé a very elegant car. Nevertheless, it's an SUV. We're reminded of that with the pronounced shoulders, prominent bumpers and bold grille.

Inside, the large console panel is a one-piece design with the intention of making the interior of the GLC Coupé a light and airy place to be. At one end, it fuses into the double-door centre storage compartment, while at the other end it's joined by a separate tablet-style infotainment display. Its 491-litre boot is in line with competition from BMW and Porsche, and can offer over 1,200 litres of space upon folding down the rear seats.

As standard, all GLC Coupés will get DYNAMIC SELECT with the usual five driver profiles (ECO, COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and INDIVIDUAL). AIR BODY CONTROL is not part of the package and will come at an extra cost for the customer. It's an air suspension system that will adapt to the driver's needs, such as lowering by 15 mm in SPORT+ mode or dipping the rear end by 40 mm for ease of access into the boot.

With a Cd value of 0.31, it's significantly better than the BMW X4 (0.35), but weighing as little as 1,710 kg, the GLC Coupé isn't too dissimilar to the X4. The low weight figure is achieved thanks to the use of aluminium and high-strength steel. The 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission unit also weight 12 kg less than the previous generation.

Mercedes plans to offer four diesel engines and four petrol engines, the latter encompassing a hot AMG version and a plug-in hybrid. But from launch, we'll be more limited on choice.

The GLC 220 d 4MATIC and GLC 250 d 4MATIC use the same engine tuned to either 168 or 201 bhp. They're both capable of a claimed 55 mpg, emitting as little as 131 g/km. Those figures are impressive when considering both models are equipped with a heavy four-wheel-drive system.

At the moment, there's only a GLC 250 4MATIC when it comes to petrol power, which produces 208 bhp. It will be joined by a Mercedes-AMG 43 4MATIC which gets its 362 bhp from a bi-turbocharged V6 powerplant, making it good for 0-62 mph in less than 5 seconds.

Just like many other models offered by Mercedes, the GLC Coupé will also be home to a plug-in hybrid model. Called the GLC 350 e 4MATIC, it will emit as little as 59 g/km despite getting to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 146 mph. With an output of 316 bhp, it fair outweighs the GLC 250 4MATIC. It can even travel some 20 miles on electric only.

Most models will be fitted as standard with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive, with all but the GLC 350 e 4MATIC Coupé using a 9-speed automatic transmission (9G-TRONIC). It's the 7-speed 7G-TRONIC that finds itself in the hybrid.

Standard equipment is extremely generous, with 18-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, keyless entry, fake leather and an electric tailgate. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, ATTENTION ASSIST, Crosswind Assist and Headlamp Assist are also part of the extensive kit list.

An ENTRY 1 special edition will be available from launch with 20-inch AMG alloys, designo paint and two-tone leather upholstery.