Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 debuts in Malaysia – RM329k

At long last, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s new range of SUVs are finally in town, and it starts with this, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4Matic. Just one variant of the five-seat SUV we’ve previously spied in the country has been launched, with a price tag of RM328,888.

The X253 GLC joins its larger GLE and GLE Coupe here, positioned as the smallest of the three new SUVs. It is the successor to the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class SUV which was never sold in Malaysia because a right-hand drive model was never considered.

Now with a RHD version to boast, the GLC gets its revised name from its commonalities with the C-Class. A lot of this SUV’s styling, inside and out, has been lifted right off the popular sedan – a point which you’ll notice (if you haven’t already) mostly from its similar interior design.

To help you position the GLC in our part of the world, you would be right to think of it as a direct competitor of the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. The locally-assembled X3 is priced from RM325,800 (xDrive20i) and RM345,800 (xDrive20d), while the imported Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro is priced at RM324,900.

While the BMW X3 is the only locally-produced model in its class here, we understand that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia does have some plans to locally-assemble its GLC SUV at a later point in time.

For now, the sole GLC 250 4Matic you see here is dressed up in a full AMG Line exterior kit that introduces sportier front and rear bumpers, protective underbody skid plates and 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels.

The front end gets a dual-bar grille with a centralised Three-Pointed Star, flanked by LED Intelligent Light System headlamps. Full LED tail lights are present at the rear, with dual exhaust tip finishers signing off on the rear.

Inside, the GLC’s cabin is unsurprisingly a carbon-copy of what’s seen in the current W205 C-Class. An AMG interior styling package has been specified as standard, including Artico leather upholstery, open-pore black ash wood dashboard trim and the AMG flat-bottomed three-spoke multi-function steering wheel.

An Audio 20 CD infotainment system is standard fare, dictating the inclusion of a seven-inch free-standing display screen positioned as the dashboard’s centrepiece. Similar to the local-spec C-Class, the GLC gets a Garmin Map Pilot navigation system integrated into its operating software as standard, while views for the 360-degree camera are also displayed on the seven-inch screen.

Making up for the lack of a full COMAND Online infotainment system, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has equipped its GLC 250 with a 590-watt, 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound system. However, if you take a look at the COMAND Controller on the centre console, you’ll see that the clever touchpad cum palm rest first seen on the W205 C-Class has been omitted from this model.

The GLC has a 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench to balance between maximising cargo and seating space. The backrest can also be tilted forwards to create more cargo space, but in its regular upright position, the GLC has 580 litres of space behind the rear seats.

With the seats folded flat, a total of 1,600 litres of space becomes available. To make loading cargo easier, MBM has specified an Easy-Pack Tailgate system with Hands Free Access. This generally translates into being able to swipe your foot under the rear bumper (with the key fob in your pocket) to open the tailgate. There is also a switch on the inside of the tailgate and on the dash to open and close the tailgate as well.

The GLC comes equipped with a load of premium active and passive safety features. Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Crosswind Assist, Attention Assist and an Active Parking Assistant are all included as standard. Additionally, the car is fitted with a newly-developed window airbag that extends over both seat rows and the side and knee airbags.

For power, the GLC 250 4Matic employs the same 2.0 litre (1,991 cc) engine from the current W205 C 250 and W212 E 250 models. The four-pot turbo petrol mill delivers 211 hp at 5,500 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,200 to 4,000 rpm,

The figures are said to power the GLC 250 to a 7.3-second zero to 100 km/h sprint and an electronically-limited 250 km/h top speed. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.5 to 7.1 litres per 100 km, based on the European NEDC test cycle.

The GLC also marks the first application of the brand’s new 9G-Tronic nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission in Malaysia. Similarly, the GLE and GLE Coupe are also be equipped with the new unit.

The multi-clutch 4Matic all-wheel drive system distributes 33% of the engine’s torque to the front wheels and the remaining 67% of torque to the rear wheels. Traction is optimised by the 4Matic system incorporating functions from the ESP and Anti-Skid Regulation.

Five driving modes are available courtesy of the Dynamic Select switch positioned on the centre console, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual modes.

To recap, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4Matic is priced ast RM328,888 (OTR without insurance). The price also includes Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s four years, unlimited mileage warranty. Stay tuned to paultan.org for our comprehensive review of the new Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4Matic, coming soon.

View the full specifications of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 at CarBase.my.

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