Mercedes-Benz GLC to bolster luxury SUV ranks

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its long-awaited GLC mid-sized SUV that will compete with the popular Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

The all-new GLC – the first mid-sized SUV from Mercedes-Benz to be produced in right-hand drive - could grow the brand's sales by more than 10 per cent and will fill a glaring hole in Benz's local lineup.

Based on the underpinning of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class mid-sized luxury car, the GLC will arrive in Australia in December 2015 priced from about $65,000 (plus on-road costs).

At 4656mm long and 1890mm wide the new GLC is longer than the rival Audi Q5 (4629mm long and 1898mm wide) and BMW X3 (4648mm, 1881mm).

However it will be strictly a five-seater, unlike the recently-arrived Land Rover Discovery Sport that can be optioned with seven seats thanks to a compact third row.

Mercedes-Benz design boss Gorden Wagener said the GLC adhered to the brand's "Sensual Purity design philosophy".

"In evolving the GLC's design, the focus was on the paradigm shift from angular lines to a modern interpretation of luxury," said Wagener.

"The exterior design in particular, with its sensual surfaces combined with clearly defined feature lines and expressive proportions, demonstrates how the new style of the GLC exudes not only intelligence, but also emotionality."

The GLC will also offer adjustable air suspension, allowing the car to be raised for off-road driving.

The GLC will initially be offered with a range of four-cylinder engines as a GLC220d, GLC250d, GLC250 and petrol-electric hybrid, the GL350 e4Matic.

It's unclear whether Australia will take all variants.

The GLC220d gets a 2.1-litre turbo diesel producing 125kW of power and 400Nm of torque.

The GLC250d gets a higher output version of the same 2.1-litre diesel producing 150kW and 500Nm.

The GLC250 gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 155kW and 350Nm.

The GLC350 e4Matic gets the 250's same 2.0-litre 155kW/350Nm four-cylinder turbo mated to an 85kW electric motor.

It is claimed to be able to drive up to 34km on electricity alone and can accelerate to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds.

All have standard automatic transmissions, with regular models getting a nine-speed and the 350 e4Matic hybrid a seven-speed.

There will also be a range of trim levels, including luxurious Exclusive, sports-focused AMG Line and an Off-Road package with greater ground clearance and unique styling add-ons.

Product boss Dr Uwe Ernstberger said the new GLC is about offering performance and off-road ability in a luxury package.

"Obviously the GLC is not designed to be able to outperform our G-Class off road or to get the better of the Mercedes-AMG CLS at the Nurburgring [development race track]," said Dr Ernstberger.

"It occupies a very self-assured position between these two extremes and offers very well-balanced performance potential, both on and off the road."

It is expected to be offered standard with a suite of active safety features, including auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection as part of an advanced active safety system.