Mercedes-Benz has released information on the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.  While the GLC is all new, the most newsworthy change is under the hood where the turbocharged 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder gains the assistance of a 48 volt electric motor-generator mild-hybrid. The gas engine makes 258 horsepower, up 3 from the prior year, and 295 lb-ft of torque, up 22, however that torque peak is available in a narrower band of 2000 rpm - 3200 rpm compared to the 1800 rpm - 4000 rpm of the outgoing version.  The combined system more than makes up for the narrower torque band with a boost from the electric motor of 23 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. Most of the electric boost is available in the lower end of the rpm range. Estimated acceleration times improve by just 0.1 second.

The 48-volt starter-generator allows the engine to utilize the start-stop feature in a significantly smoother way, being nearly imperceptible to the driver.  There is also a glide mode function where the gas motor is able to power down in low-demand situations and the transmission shifts to neutral allowing the vehicle to coast. While gliding mode has been avaible on previous, non-electrified models, the addition of the hybrid system allow for a smoother transition when the engine powers back up.

The 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic carries over driving either the rear wheels or Mercedes' familiar 4matic all-wheel drive.

The rest of the GLC 300 is new as well. It gains nearly 2.5 inches in length, 0.5 of an inch in wheelbase, and nearly 2 inches in rear track.  That does not, however, translate to more room for passengers. Interior dimensions remain the same with less than a 10th of an inch change in most.  Cargo room is up 2.5 cubic feet.

Visually, Mercedes clearly took the conservative approach as the new model looks like a refresh of the prior one.  Aero is improved to a .29 Cd along with an optimization of the vehicle to reduce wind noise.

The interior is all new with a large, 11.9 inch infotainment screen in the center stack.  While there is a row of hardware buttons, most functions have been moved into the screen or are activated via "Hey Mercedes" using the MBUX system. With this latest version of MBUX, updates are now able to be downloaded over a mobile data connection built into the vehicle.

For those of you who wish to take your luxury crossover off-road, there is a new feature called "transparent hood" that uses exterior cameras to display a view under the front of the vehicle, including the wheels and their position. This allows drivers to avoid large rocks or holes in their path.

For 2023, Mercedes has slimmed down the number of package offerings, making more features standard and reducing the number of à la carte options.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is built in Bremen, Germany with Beijing China, and Sindelfingen, Germany being added later this year. Production should start later this summer.

 

Key dimensions:

GLC	X 254	Preceding model	Difference
Exterior dimensions (in)
Length	185.7	183.3	+2.4
Width	74.4	74.4	0
Width incl. exterior mirrors	81.7	82.5	-0.8
Height	64.6	64.7	-0.1
Wheelbase	113.7	113.1	+0.6
Track, front	64.1	63.8	+0.3
Track, rear	65.6	63.7	+1.9
Interior dimensions (in)
Max. headroom, front, driver	41.3	41.9	-0.6
Headroom in the rear	39.65	39.61	+0.04
Legroom, front	40.7	40.8	-0.1
Legroom, rear	37.4	37.3	+0.1
Elbow room, front	59.0	59.0	0
Elbow room, rear	58.3	58.0	+0.3
Shoulder room, front	57.3	57.2	+0.1
Shoulder room, rear	56.6	56.5	+0.1
Luggage capacity acc. to VDA (cu-ft)	21.9	19.4	+2.5

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC / GLC 300 RWD

Engine

Number of cylinders/arrangement		4/in-line
Displacement	cc	1999
Rated output	hp	258
at engine speed	rpm	5800
Add. Output (Boost)	hp	23
Rated torque	Lb-ft	295
at engine speed	rpm	2000-3200
Add. Torque (Boost)	Lb-ft	148
Compression ratio		10.0:1
Mixture formation		High-pressure injection

Power transmission

Drive/front:rear distribution	All-wheel - 45:55/ Rear Wheel Drive
Transmission	9G-TRONIC
Gear ratios
1./2./3./4./5./6./7./8./9./Reverse	5.35/3.24/2.25/1.64/1.21/1.00/0.87/0.72/0.60/R1 4.80

Suspension

Front axle	Four-link steel suspension with selective damping system
Rear axle	Independent multilink suspension with selective damping system
Braking system	Internally ventilated disk brakes at front and rear
Steering	Speed-dependent, electro-mechanical direct steering (rack-and-pinion)
Wheels	8J x 18 H2 ET 32.5
Tires	235/60 R 18

Dimensions and weights

Wheelbase	in	113.7
Front/rear track	in	64.1/65.6
Length/width/height	in	185.7/74.4/64.6
Turning circle	ft	38.7
Boot capacity, VDA	Cu-ft	21.9

Performance

Acceleration 0-60 mph	s	6.2
Top speed	mph	130 (electronically limited)

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Sticking with the formula that works, looks similar to the current car.  The interior is nice step up from the current car, nothing here is a surprise since the C300 has the same powertrain and interior.  I think interesting is the C43 since it has a 402 hp turbo 4 that is hand built, air suspension, multi-clutch transmission and 4 wheel steering.  That car is a lot more serious than the old C43 which is basically a C-class with the old E-class V6.  So the GLC43 should be a really solid performer too.  Not to mention the C63/GLC63 that are getting 660 hp, that blows away anything in this segment.