The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC arrives this fall, replacing the mid-size GLK crossover SUV. And while there’s a lot of new style, interior goodies, and performance to talk about, it’s off-road capabilities are in our cross-hairs today.
Seen testing here in Germany camouflaged up, the Mercedes-Benz GLC will have available a combination of an Air Body Control air suspension and the latest generation of the brand’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive which will offer more off-road cred than we’ve seen since the original ML-Class.
The standard GLC 300 will have steel springs and variable dampers. But the optional air suspension system enables a raised-clearance off-road mode that when combined with the computer managed traction programs of its 4MATIC all-wheel drive, can be quite robust in the rough.
4MATIC has a baseline torque split of 45 to 55 percent between front and rear axles. Traction in challenging situations such as free-wheels is aided by ABS controlled torque vectoring to clamp down on wheel-spin, diverting power to the wheels which have traction.
A stiffer and more robust chassis structure with heavier duty suspension components have also been designed to provide a capability which when paired with higher torque engines will far exceed that of the current GLK line.
The air suspension compliments the off-road experience by offering controlled articulation over varying surfaces. Inside, the driver can monitor vehicle motion, traction, and suspension metrics on the dash mounted infotainment screen.
In the United States, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC go on sale this fall exclusively with a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 9-speed automatic transmission. Additional powertrains and models will come in 2017.
There’s a lot more to talk about with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 in terms of styling, interior features, and technologies. And we’ll be doing that too, very soon.
