Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d 4Matic: Well endowed

When things go bad, you can either slip into a corner and brood or you can continue to push yourself hard to win. The story of Mercedes-Benz India is more about pushing itself hard to win. Despite the ridiculous ban on diesel cars with engine capacities of 2000cc and above in Delhi NCR and in some parts of Kerala, Mercedes continues to launch beautiful products powered by both powerful diesel engines as well as petrol. The latest to join its stable is an SUV that goes by the name GLC. Mercedes-Benz India currently has a great number of products to offer in India which includes at one end of its portfolio the likes of A-Class, the B-Class, the C-Class, CLA, CLS and  E and on its other end , the likes of S-class, SLK, Maybach and of course the AMG flotilla. The sports utility vehicles include the pretty looking GLA, the GLE and the mammoth GLS.

The GLC sports utility vehicle is the one that has joined the Mercedes club recently. We test drove the GLC 220d 4Matic and got to know as to why the company desperately needed this purposeful SUV for the Indian market. The GLC comes in both a petrol variant (GLC 300 4Matic) and a diesel. The petrol one is powered by a 1991cc engine while the latter has a 2143cc diesel engine, thereby disqualifying itself in the Delhi NCR and parts of Kerala. But the best part was that we got to drive a diesel vehicle in Delhi, of course one with a Maharashtra registration. It’s like having your favourite evening drink in a state that’s stupid enough to clamp prohibition! 

Polluting? Environmental unfriendly? None of that I could see or experience in this car. Like I mentioned earlier, ridiculous decisions carry no logic. While the GLA is at the bottom end of the SUV range, we have the GLS at the top end. Just above the GLA, we have the GLC now and like the GLA is offered with both a petrol and diesel engine option. The GLE and GLS , which are a notch above the GLC, are offered only with a diesel engine option.  

Apart from the different engine options and of course the different lengths and widths of the vehicles in the SUV range, the GLC distinguishes itself as the most contemporary with its 9G-Tronic transmission and drive characteristics. 

The GLC is a city bred vehicle with a few off road capabilities. Ideally, it’s best that it is driven on our roads only because these roads with its humungous pot holes offer the best off road adventure. But in case you do take this vehicle on a pure off road track, it will bring you back home safe. Do remember, this vehicle is a lot about comfort and luxury. Maybe that is the reason why they named it GLC—Glamour, Luxury and Comfort! Personally I would like to add to that....this vehicle is Good Looking and Charming!

On the looks front, the GLC stand out like a handsome bloke with a muscular body. The overall design from the front to the end is chic. It’s got a long wheelbase and short overhangs and not to miss is the bold radiator trim with two louvers. The icing on the cake is the centrally positioned Mercedes star that looks amazingly beautiful.  The front bumper has large air intakes and an under ride guard, though it’s all non metal and are there for the looks and not for any tank like protection. The flat belt line that is smartly designed starts somewhere from the A pillar and moves on till the C pillar, giving it a bold and smart design. The rear slopes almost coupe style and of course the twin exhausts give the vehicle a very sport look. Not to miss are the simulated underguard front/rear in chrome, roof railing in anodised aluminium, waistline trim strip in chrome,  window weatherstrip in chrome and the metal running broad with rubber studs. The vehicle sits on 18inches tyres mounted on light-alloy wheels in 5-spoke design.

Usually we test drive our vehicles early morning when the sun has just about popped its head in the horizon and we generally do not get to admire the plethora of lights that are fitted on to the car. I made it a point to drive the vehicle at night for a brief moment just to get to know its lights. The moment you press the car key to open the car, the vehicle illuminates from inside, from front to back.

Coming to the Intelligent Light System that encompasses the headlamps, it offers vision and safety. When turning or cornering, the low-beam headlamps automatically adapt to the light and driving conditions. And the “Coming Home” function welcomes the driver with blue LED locator lighting when locking and unlocking the car via radio remote control key. The lights also shine brighter on bends and while cornering, without really blinding any oncoming vehicle

Step into the vehicle and you are in a world of comfort and luxury. The one we drove had everything leather about it and that too dark in colour. Personally, I am against dark interiors, because it makes the car looks quite dingy. But then black is often referred to as chic! Along with a plethora of electrically controlled switches, levers and buttons and a panoramic sliding sunroof, the moment you sit in the driver’s seat it’s like being in a cockpit of a small plane. The drive seat and the co passenger seats are electrically adjustable with 3 way memory function.  Tug at these switches and your seat moves in every direction that eventually makes you comfortable. The 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel which can be electrically adjusted for rake and reach gives you the feel that you are on a track in Daytona or elsewhere. Apart from the leather spread across the dash area, there is a good element of wood finish around the console area. There are buttons for controls, as well as a giant knob besides a small touch screen wherein you can adjust several settings pertaining to navigation, radio, vehicle dynamics etc, all looking at a tiny 5 inch screen fitted on to the dash. I felt the screen was small and smart, anything bigger would have meant carrying your LCD television in your car which in turn would have looked preposterous. The automatic climate control system with 3 climate zones and 3 airflow modes provides an individual feel-good climate on board. The driver and the front passenger are able to regulate temperature and air distribution independently of one another. Space for rear passengers too is more than adequate.

Loads of storage space at the rear makes it a delight. It’s around 550 litres of space at the rear which can be adjusted to 1600 litres once the rear 60:40 seats are pushed down. But I was disappointed to see the spare tyre placed there, leaving limited space to keep one’s luggage there. In the passenger areas too there are adequate storage spaces for bottles and knick knacks. Near the console area between the two front seats there is a deep box to store your personal stuff.

The tailgate can be opened and closed at the touch of a button for more convenient loading and unloading of the load compartment. For safety reasons the automatic closing procedure can only be activated by pushing and holding the switch in the driver’s door or using the ignition key. Manual opening is possible via the release handle on the tailgate.

Now when it comes to driving, ride and handling, there is a lot the car offers in stability and speed. The suspension is independent all around and power is transmitted via a 9 speed automatic gear box. It has a permanent four wheel drive or 4Matic and the torque is split in favour of the rear wheels.

There are several drive modes to select from which include Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. For someone moving in slow traffic and is a settled driver, the Comfort and Eco modes are the best. For the one’s looking for some thrill in driving, the Sport and Sport+ modes are quite handy. It’s only in the Sport+ or Individual modes that you have lots of fun in terms of driving and pick up. The moment you floor the accelerator, the car surges ahead like a vehicle on Red Bull. Personally speaking, just two driving modes would have been enough: Eco and Sport. The power build up is almost instant and by the time the car hits the 4000 rpm, you are watching the world go pretty fast. Use of paddle shifts just adds to the fun. If you depend on the vehicle electric controls, then you can be rest assured that all you have got to do is keep your hands on the steering and your eyes on the road. The GLC is not a beast, it’s not a giant, it’s just a big fella with good manners! It’s simply well endowed with loads of safety features.