Mercedes GLC

Mercedes GLC 300 e

Running costs

428mpg (official) £85 fill-up

FIRSTDRIVE Smooth and economical GLC proves there’s life in PHEVs yet

AlastairCrooks

Alastair _ Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks

PLUG-IN hybrids might be losing customers to pure-electric cars (sales of PHEVs have dropped by 15.7 per cent this year, compared with BEVs rising by 48.8 per cent), but Mercedes is clearly confident there’s still a market niche that it can fill with this new GLC 300 e.

On paper, the new GLC looks to be a significant improvement over the old model. There’s more boot space, extra equipment and a longer all-electric range.

While other markets will receive a more powerful 400 e variant from launch (as shown in our pictures), the GLC 300 e will be the range-topping petrol model in the UK until the GLC 63 arrives next year.

The GLC 300 e’s powertrain consists of a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine pumping out 201bhp and 320Nm of torque, working in tandem with a 134bhp electric motor for a total of 308bhp and 550Nm.

This is actually down on the GLC 300 e’s predecessor, and the 0-62mph time is a second slower at 6.7 seconds. However, on the move, the new car never feels slow.

The hybrid system delivers a seamless transition between power sources and the nine-speed automatic gearbox is smooth.

There are several driving modes to choose from in the GLC. Pick Eco mode and the GLC optimises electric running for loweremissions driving. Sport mode delivers faster gearshifts, utilises all of the power from the petrol engine and electric motor, and adds extra weight to the steering.

The GLC 300 e also has an Electric mode in which the car runs on pure-electric power up to 87mph. If you accelerate hard the petrol engine will kick in, however. Mercedes claims the 31.2kWh battery allows at least 62 miles of pure-electric running, with potential for up to 81 miles. A full recharge from a 60kW DC charger is possible in around 30 minutes.

It’s clear the GLC has been developed for refinement and comfort over sportiness; it glides over bumps and ruts on Germanspec air suspension. UK buyers will only be offered standard steel springs, but the system works well on the platform-sharing C-Class so we remain optimistic.

If you’re gentle with your inputs, the GLC responds well in the corners with the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system providing a safe, neutral balance. There’s not much feedback through the wheel, but it does load up reassuringly through corners.

Mercedes claims the non-PHEV GLC gains an additional 70 litres of boot space over the previous model. Figures are yet to be released for the PHEV car, but we expect a smaller increase given the larger battery.

Pricing has not yet been revealed, but we expect the 300 e to be around £60,000. NEED TO KNOW

Interior is laid out logically with plenty of advanced equipment