Next-gen Glc Ev Brings Back Mercedes-benz's Most Iconic Grille With A Bold Illuminated Twist

Mercedes-Benz

After lukewarm-at-best reception to nan creation of its electric EQ models, and a lineup that's very charismatic but little bold and traditionally Mercedes-Benz successful look than what longtime customers want, nan German automaker is making a large pivot pinch its next-generation designs. Mercedes is still committed to going electric, though pinch a bigger attraction connected hybrids for now, and caller models for illustration the third-gen CLA that are offered pinch some EV and soul combustion powertrains will person highly akin designs. But nan CLA is still a slippery compact four-door coupe pinch styling that doesn't entreaty to galore Mercedes faithful.

With nan next-gen GLC crossover, which will beryllium afloat electrical and beryllium alongside the existing gas-powered GLC, Mercedes is going backmost to its creation roots. Instead of a blacked-out sheet for illustration connected nan EQS, nan electrical GLC (officially called GLC with EQ Technology) has a ample metallic sheet inspired by nan imposing eggcrate grilles of Benzes for illustration nan 600 Grosser, W114 E-Class and W108 S-Class. Only connected nan GLC, alternatively of nan small squares being aerial holes, they will beryllium illuminated. Now that's fun.

Mercedes-Benz

It's an moreover bolder grille than nan immense ones connected the existent GLS, ace upright and taking up astir nan full tallness of nan beforehand end. A thick, chamfered chrome set runs nan full separator of nan panel, arsenic connected those classical models, and nan soul contour is illuminated. The bottommost 4th of nan grille is unfastened for cooling, giving nan car a spot of a smile, and location are 2 bladed intakes connected either broadside of nan logo, echoing nan bars connected existent Mercedes grilles. The metallic panels person a "smoked-glass-effect lattice structure" that gives nan belief of that classical eggcrate mesh, and arsenic an action nan grille will beryllium backlit pinch 942 different lit squares. The squares will beryllium animated, of course, for illustration nan stars connected the CLA. And if you spell for nan illuminated option, nan halfway prima is illuminated, arsenic are different soul contour lines.

The GLC has a ample three-pointed prima emblem successful nan halfway of nan grille, but it's beautiful easy to ideate really a grille creation would look for illustration pinch nary prima and a hood ornament instead. Like, maybe, connected the VLE van that was previewed by the Vision V concept, aliases connected versions of nan electrical next-gen E-Class that will debut successful 2027. This throwback grille, aliases a akin mentation of it, will look connected facelifts of existent models for illustration nan GLE and nan S-Class, which person been spied pinch much upright beforehand ends. Basically each exemplary will beryllium gaining star-shaped headlights for illustration nan ones connected nan CLA, too.

Speaking astir nan caller grille, main designer officer Gorden Wagener said, "Our caller iconic grille is not conscionable a caller beforehand for nan GLC, it redefines nan look of our brand. It is nan cleanable fusion of lasting creation codes reinterpreted for nan future, making our cars instantly recognizable." Mercedes describes nan grille arsenic evolving from "a functional characteristic of nan combustion-vehicle era" to "an illuminated activity of art, conveying prestige done reduction, cleanable lines and technology."

Mercedes-Benz

The electrical GLC will beryllium nan first exemplary on Mercedes' long-awaited MB.EA platform, which will besides underpin different compact and midsize EVs for illustration nan next-gen C-Class sedan. Unlike nan CLA's MMA platform, it's not engineered to person an soul combustion engine. It'll person a 3.1-inch-longer wheelbase than nan existent GLC, a larger cargo area and a frunk pinch 4.5 cubic feet of space, optional aerial suspension and rear-wheel steering, and a "seamless" caller loop of nan dash-spanning Hyperscreen pinch nan latest MB.OS operating system. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture it'll beryllium capable to complaint astatine up to 320 kW, gaining complete 160 miles of scope successful 10 minutes, and pinch a resistance coefficient of conscionable 0.24 it should person a beautiful agelong range. It'll beryllium capable to tow up to 5,291 pounds.

Mercedes will unveil nan GLC with EQ Technology connected September 7 astatine nan Munich car show, and our ain Andy Kalmowitz will beryllium location with Mercedes to study each astir it.