Mercedes-Benz GLC: all-new electric 400 and turbo-six AMG 53 join the Aussie lineup

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Mercedes-Benz Australia has opened orders for two new GLC variants, the all-electric GLC 400 and petrol AMG GLC 53, though one is much newer than the other.

The GLC 400 is actually an all-new car; it shares little with combustion GLCs beyond design cues and the name. The ‘GLC with EQ Technology’, to give it its full name, rides on a purpose-built, 800-volt EV platform that’ll soon underpin electric C-Classes.

Mercedes claims 10 minutes of charging can yield 300km of range. The electric GLC can take up to 22kW AC charging and 330kW DC charging.

The GLC 400 4Matic (i.e. 4WD), the only electric variant confirmed for Australia, has dual-motor all-wheel drive delivering 360kW and 800Nm, level with its arch-rival, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive, enabling a sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.3sec. 

A 94.4kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery yields a quoted WLTP range of 630km, well below the BMW, which claims a groundbreaking 803km.

The GLC 400 4Matic is priced before on-roads at $112,200. The iX3 50 xDrive is $109,900 before on-roads, however BMW offers a rear-wheel-drive iX3 40 for $89,900, below the Luxury Car Tax threshold. 

Volvo will do likewise with its upcoming EX60 – $90,985 before on-roads for an LCT-busting RWD P6 variant, and $103,601 for an AWD P10 variant directly rivalling the Merc. The electric version of the Genesis GV70 is $123,243, while the Maserati Grecale Folgore makes the rest feel like bargains at a sobering $207,500.

Inside, as per all new Mercs, it’s death by a thousand screens. As standard the MBUX Superscreen places three screens (driver, centre, passenger) under a glass pane stretching across the entire dashboard. 

A $8200 Luxury Package will add the MBUX Hyperscreen, a single, 39.1-inch (99cm!) display, alongside a Burmester sound system, heated rear seats, ventilated front massage seats and ‘MB Drive Assist’. A panoramic sunroof that can switch between transparent and opaque is standard.

A limited number of Launch Editions will also come. In return for a $2200 saving ($110,000 before on-roads), the passenger screen becomes strictly ornamental, displaying graphics, wallpapers and animations, but nothing useful.

An Agility & Comfort package ($5200) adds air suspension and four-wheel steering.

With an 84mm longer wheelbase than the combustion GLC, legroom is said to improve front and rear, and a 128-litre front boot is unique to the EV.

Turbo-six powered Mercedes-AMG GLC 53

Back in petrol land, Mercedes-AMG’s unloved four-cylinder GLCs will make way for the GLC 53 and its three-litre straight-six. Featuring an electric auxiliary compressor that can generate boost before the turbocharger can spool up, it puts out 330kW and 600Nm and reaches 100kph from standstill in 4.2sec.

Resonators in the exhaust are designed to keep the GLC 53 as noisy as an AMG should be, at least on the inside.

Pre-on-roads pricing is $140,600 for the normal GLC 53 or $151,300 for the Coupé bodystyle. This surpasses the $131,400 for the BMW X3 M50 and is far above the $112,746 Audi demands for the SQ5.

Those keen on belting their GLC 53 down a windy road can consider the AMG Dynamic Plus package, which for $3700 throws in an electronically locking rear differential, adaptive engine mounts and two more modes, Race and Drift.

Separate from this, oddly, is the Performance Ergonomic Package, which for $5800 adds microfibre steering wheel upholstery, AMG Track Pace data logging and what are termed ‘AMG Performance & Multicontour’ front seats.

The AMG GLC 43 and GLC 63 four-cylinders are now in runout. As the lower number implies, the 53 offers less power than the 500kW and 1020Nm the 63 did.

Approached for comment, Mercedes-Benz Australia told Chasing Cars that more affordable versions of the electric GLC were yet to be confirmed.

Mercedes-Benz GLC: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs:

• GLC200 4Matic: $79,979
• GLC 300 4Matic: $91,308
• GLC 300 4Matic Coupé: $99,769
• GLC 350e 4Matic (plug-in hybrid): $89,302
• GLC 400 4Matic (electric): $112,200
• AMG GLC 53: $140,600
• AMG GLC 53 Coupé: $151,300