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Mercedes-Benz Launches Electric GLC With Big Numbers
Mercedes-Benz has pulled the covers off an all-electric GLC for Australia, and it arrives with the sort of headline figures that make traditional SUVs look faintly unambitious. The new GLC 400 4MATIC packs dual motors, all-wheel drive, up to 360 kW, 800 Nm and a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds. So yes, it is an SUV, but not the sort that likes to trundle.
The official driving range is up to 630 km on the WLTP cycle, helped by a 94.4 kWh battery, a rear-mounted two-speed gearbox and a front drivetrain disconnect unit designed to cut drag when extra traction is not needed. Efficiency is quoted at 17.1 kWh per 100 km, which is rather tidy for something this large and luxe.
Charging is another big talking point. The car uses an 800-volt electrical system and can take DC charging at up to 330 kW, with Mercedes claiming up to 300 km of range can be added in 10 minutes under ideal conditions. AC charging tops out at 22 kW, while a DC/DC converter means it can also use 400-volt fast chargers.
Inside, the GLC goes full digital-age spaceship. The standard setup includes the MBUX Superscreen, while the optional Hyperscreen stretches to 39.1 inches across the dashboard. Mercedes’ MB.OS software sits at the centre of it all, managing vehicle functions, connectivity and over-the-air updates with what the brand describes as an AI-driven approach. In other words, the car is not just doing the driving bits, it is also trying very hard to be a computer.
Safety and driver assistance are equally lavish. Standard MB.DRIVE kit brings eight cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors, along with features such as adaptive cruise, blind spot assist, lane keeping, brake assist and evasive steering support. DIGITAL LIGHT, a head-up display and old-school rocker and roller steering wheel controls also make the cut.
Mercedes has also given the electric GLC a proper practicality argument, which is useful because not everyone wants a rolling nightclub with numbers. The wheelbase is 84 mm longer than the combustion GLC, and that helps create more room for passengers. Boot space is listed at 570 litres, expanding to 1,740 litres with the rear seats folded, while a 128-litre front storage compartment adds a little extra smugness for charging cables and odds and ends.
The cabin uses vegan-certified ARTICO materials in standard trim, with brown open-pore birch wood, heated front sports seats, and a panoramic roof with SKY CONTROL that can switch from clear to opaque across nine segments. Mercedes says the roof and acoustic glass help the interior feel calmer and lighter, which is welcome, because electric cars with this much tech can sometimes feel like they should come with a user manual and a technician.
Outside, the design is predictably polished in the way Mercedes tends to do so well. AMG Line styling, a dark chrome grille element, 21-inch wheels and the Night Package give the SUV a bit more attitude, though it still looks like it was designed by a very expensive committee with perfect posture. There is also a limited launch edition without the Superscreen, featuring a static passenger-side display instead.
Australian pricing starts at $112,200 before on-road costs, with the launch edition priced from $110,000. Options include a Luxury Package for $8,200, an Agility and Comfort Package for $5,200, and running boards for $1,100. Deliveries are now on the way, and for buyers after a premium electric SUV with big range claims, rapid charging and enough screens to annoy the neighbours, this one lands squarely in the thick of it.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
