COTY
Gallery 1
Premium SUV demands you spend up on suspension tech iF you want to avoid struggle-street ride.
PAUL Keating would like the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Just like that famous recession in 1990, the newcomer to the three-pointed-star family is the SUV that Mercedes-Benz had to have. Yet it’s surprising it’s taken so long to get it. Blame that on the international product planning masters, who somehow missed the Down Under surge towards SUVs.
At least the GLC is finally here and it appears there was pent-up demand for the mid-sized Mercedes-Benz SUV because it’s shot to the top of the luxury SUV sales charts.
Inside, the dash treatments between wagon and Coupe are the same – and nearly identical to that employed across the Mercedes-Benz C-Class line-up, a car that provides the underpinnings for the GLC. Simple yet effective, and detailed yet restrained, the only universal sore point was the ‘claw’ that hovers over the circular selector as a secondary means to navigate the 7.0-inch screen (or 8.4-inch with the optional Comand system).
The engines, too, offer a vast selection from the fuel-efficient four-pot diesel engine to the rorty AMG-fettled twin-turbo V6.
The diesel uses as little as 5.6L/100km, although it’s the old-gen 2143cc unit rather than the sweeter, more refined 1950cc diesel now offered in the E. So it’s more about economy than entertainment.
Yet on the road the GLC quickly sheds points – and it all comes down to suspension. Riding on the standard 19-inch tyres, the GLC220d thundered across the You Yangs chatter bumps, prompting judges to question the basic suspension architecture. The equation worsens with the GLC250 riding on 20s.
Yet step up to the 21-inch hoops of the GLC43 and there’s a ride revelation. With standard Air Body Control air suspension and adaptive dampers the 43 is infinitely more relaxed, better controlling rebound and bringing newfound compliance the base cars can’t get close to. Plus, the air suspension – which is optional on lower cars – solves the crashing and bashing issues.
Therein lies the crux of the GLC. Excellent in some areas, let down in others. There is lots to like with the GLC, but its flaws, predominantly the underdone suspension on base wagons, cruelled its chances of progressing.
Specs
BODY Type: 5-door wagon/coupe, 5 seats Boot capacity: 500 – 550 litres Weights: 1735 – 1845kg
DRIVETRAIN Layout: front engine (north-south), AWD Engines: 1991cc 4cyl turbo (155kW/350Nm); 2143cc 4cyl turbo-diesel (125kW/400Nm); 2143cc 4cyl turbo-diesel (150kW/500Nm); 2996cc V6 twin-turbo (270kW/520Nm) Transmissions: 9-speed automatic
CHASSIS Tyres: 235/65R17 – 255/50R19 ADR81 fuel consumption: 5.6L/100km – 8.8L/100km CO2 emissions: 146 – 201g/km Collision mitigation: Yes Crash rating: 5-star (ANCAP) Prices: $65,990 – $108,900
